News & Knowledge

Forman Watkins & Krutz LLP is excited to announce the addition of Julian D. Miller to our Jackson office! Julian graduated cum laude from The University of Mississippi School of Law. He received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University, where he was a staff writer for Harvard Political Review, as well as Remix Magazine. While at Harvard, Julian was a Ron Brown Scholar, a Jackie Robinson Scholar, and a National Merit/Achievement Scholar, and he also received the Marvin C. Pittman Award for Outstanding and Most Dedicated Senior. In 2017, he received the honor of being selected to the “Top 40 Under 40” list by National Black Lawyers.

The Monmouth County Veterans Information and Resources Clinic will be taking place Saturday, November 2, 2019, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Monmouth University.  This is the third Veterans clinic organized by the Monmouth Bar Association.  The introductory clinic was successfully held in November of 2018, which led to hosting a Spring clinic in March of 2019.  Please refer to the flyer below for services that will be provided at the November 2 clinic, and be sure to pass the information along to local New Jersey Veterans.

Arbitration Clauses in Employment Agreements:  Keeping Them Enforceable  By:  Malissa Wilson Mandatory arbitration clauses in employment contracts reduce the possibility that legal action will be taken against employers.  Wrongful termination, wage and discrimination claims can all be resolved in a private process before a disinterested third person, rather than publicly in court before twelve jurors. While enforceable, arbitration clauses in employment agreements must still comply with basic principles of contract formation.  For instance, an employee can still raise misrepresentation, mistake, and undue influence as defenses to the enforcement of an employment agreement containing an arbitration clause.  In drafting arbitration clauses, it is important that the language is written in a way that is not confusing (use of terms that are vague or not commonly understood) or hard to read (font size is too small).  It is also important that the clause is fair by not placing more of the cost to arbitrate on the employee or placing unreasonable limitations on damages or the proceedings themselves. The arbitration clause should name the arbitration organization, such as the American Arbitration Association, where the claim will be filed and whose rules will be followed. When presenting an arbitration clause to potential and current employees, human resource personnel should go over the clause with the employee; answer any questions an employee may have; and, not rush or pressure the employee into signing the agreement.  Last, the agreement must be signed indicating an understanding that the employee is waiving the right to pursue employment-related claims […]

(click image to see flyer) Mississippi Photography Contest Forman Watkins & Krutz LLP is proud to celebrate over three decades in Downtown Jackson! Be a part of the creative energy in our office at the top of the Regions building downtown by participating in the FormanWatkins Photography Contest. Entries from around Mississippi are welcome and will be eligible to win in four categories: Best Overall, Most Mississippi, Judges’ Favorite, and Firm Favorites. To learn more about our firm, please browse our website. Who Should Enter Anyone 15 years of age and older!  Both professionals and amateurs are encouraged to participate. How to Enter Submit up to five (5) original photos via email to photogcontest@formanwatkins.com using your favorite file/photo sharing tool. Submissions are due by Friday, November 1, 2019, at 11:59PM CST. All entries must meet the minimum requirements listed in the Participation Rules section below. Email Holland Familia, photogcontest@formanwatkins.com, with any questions. Criteria Originality: Use your camera lens to show the judges your take on our state and provide a view into our people, places, culture, and history. Technical Excellence: Our judges will evaluate your use of lighting, focus, exposure, and overall composition to determine how those elements contribute to creating a powerful and innovative narrative. Overall Impact: Photography gives you the opportunity to capture a moment with the click of a shutter. We encourage you to make submissions that highlight your skills as a photographer and storyteller. Whether with texture, color, perspective, a smile, a wave, or the swish of a […]

Mitch McGuffey and Peyton Smith successfully represented a family of five Iraqi Christians seeking asylum in the United States. The family fled from northern Iraq in fall of 2014 to escape ISIS and persecution on account of their religious beliefs. Mitch and Peyton drafted asylum briefs for each member of the family and represented them at their merits hearing in the New Orleans Immigration Court, where they were granted asylum. The firm is proud to have represented the family and prouder still that they can remain in the United States. The case was referred to FormanWatkins initially through its pro bono partnership with Catholic Charities of Jackson. Later, immigration attorney Amelia McGowan moved to a new position with another FormanWatkins pro bono partner, Mississippi Center for Justice. Amelia provided invaluable knowledge and support. The Firm’s Jackson attorneys are currently representing several other asylum seekers through its partnership with MCJ.

FormanWatkins is proud to announce that its New Orleans office has been selected as one of the Best Places to Work in New Orleans for 2019 by New Orleans CityBusiness. FormanWatkins was one of only five New Orleans law firms to make the list. To participate in Best Places to Work, companies submitted extensive nomination forms disclosing workforce data such as salaries, benefits, retention levels, and employee advancement. Employees of the nominated companies were then anonymously surveyed to measure workplace culture. All companies chosen will be honored at an awards event later this year where the top three large and small companies will be announced.

FormanWatkins is proud to announce that Malissa Wilson has been appointed by Mississippi Bar President Amanda Tollison to this year’s Diversity Committee! The Diversity Committee will coordinate efforts to support the Bar’s goal of fostering diversity and inclusion among members of the Bar community. The work of the Bar is in large part accomplished through the work of its Committees. Congratulations, Malissa!

The Firm is excited to welcome new associates Amber Stewart, Chelsea Lewis, and Patrick Fields to our Jackson office!

We are excited to announce the completion of our New Orleans office’s new space in the Place St. Charles building! We moved into the new space in December of 2018, and within 9 months the need to expand arose due to rapid growth of our team. The expansion is now complete, so we wanted to share some details and photos of our new office. The additional build-out followed our phased approach for future growth, which made it easy to continue with phase 1 and have it completed by August 2019.

Forman Watkins & Krutz LLP is pleased to announce that 15 lawyers from our Firm have been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2020, the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. Best Lawyers® has published their list for over three decades, earning the respect of the profession, the media, and the public as the most reliable, unbiased source of legal referrals. Lawyers on The Best Lawyers in America list are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They are reviewed by their peers on the basis of professional expertise, and undergo an authentication process to make sure they are in current practice and in good standing.