|  A
Conversation
with Crystal Martin
At 33, the Oxford attorney is president
of the Magnolia Bar Association.
by Eric Stringfellow
I grew up in Jackson. I completed grade school in the Jackson Public
Schools system, except two and a half years that were completed
in Oxford while my mother was in law school at Ole Miss. Growing
up, I was very blessed to have great parents. My parents, Mark and
Patricia Wise, were very involved and devoted to raising my sister
and me to be educated, well-rounded and well-grounded individuals.
We attended church regularly at New Hope Baptist Church. There was
an expectation that we perform well in school and participate in
school activities. My parents were PTA presidents and Band Booster
Club presidents for the majority of time that my sister and I were
in school. They were integrally involved in our comings and goings.
There was never a time that my parents didn’t know who our
friends were.
I attended three years of undergraduate school at Spelman College
in Atlanta. Spelman is a predominantly black, all-female school.
I would not trade that experience for the world. It was so enlightening
to be in an environment where you could truly explore yourself as
an African-American female. I was a member of the band, voluntarily
tutored students and took classes that truly interested me. At that
time, the limitations on life seemed nonexistent.
The complete opposite of my Spelman experience was the Georgia Tech
experience. Georgia Tech was once an all-white, all-male school.
The vestiges of its past exist today, as at times it proved very
difficult to find a ladies’ bathroom in some of the school’s
older buildings while I was there.
Ironically, I never wanted to be a lawyer prior to going to law
school. After graduating from Callaway High School in 1990, I attended
undergraduate school in Atlanta. I worked three summers at the Stennis
NASA base in Picayune. In May and June of 1995, respectively, I
earned a bachelor of science in chemistry from Spelman College and
a Bachelor of chemical engineering from the Georgia Institute of
Technology, commonly referred to as Georgia Tech. The thought of
going to law school never entered my mind until approximately three
months before graduation from undergraduate school.
I was in an engineering class at Tech one day, and the thought just
came to me: “I am going to law school.” It was divine
intervention. I held my very first “legal job” the summer
after completing my undergraduate degrees. I volunteered for now
Municipal Judge Gail Lowery. I basically answered the phones, greeted
clients, and helped with anything else that happened to pop up.
During the summers while in law school, I interned with C. Vic McTeer
and then District Attorney Jim Hood in Oxford. The second semester
of my third year of law school, I took the February 1998 Mississippi
Bar Exam and externed with the U.S. attorney’s office (Brad
Pigott). There, I participated in my first trial. I graduated from
law school at the University of Mississippi School of Law in May
1998. The shining light of my law school experience was meeting
my husband and best friend, Precious Martin. We were married the
same month of my law school graduation.
It is difficult to pinpoint specific life experiences that prepared
me for the position. A composite of my life experiences, being African
American, being a female, within a male-dominated profession probably
helped to prepare me for my current position. Like the founders
of the Magnolia Bar Association, I know what it is like being on
the outside of the “golden circle.” These experiences
have given me the courage to speak the truth on issues that I might
not have otherwise.
One of the most difficult challenges facing the Mississippi legal
community today is the fair administration to access and justice
within the system. Within the legal system, there is a difference
between those who “have” and those who “have not.”
If you have the money, education, connections etc., you get justice.
Otherwise, you are out of luck. With recent monetary cuts in Legal
Services, an agency servicing persons who could not otherwise gain
access to the legal system, the problem of everyday people gaining
access to the legal system worsens.
The media and certain special-interest groups have grossly misled
the general public with reports of lawsuits with high jury verdicts.
Lawsuits with high jury verdicts are the rare exception, not the
norm. Individuals have used the misleading facts about high jury
verdicts to pass tort reform measures and advocate for the appointment
of judges. In my humble opinion, both of these measures only serve
to erode the rights of the people.
During the majority of my career, I have represented real people
with real problems. Therefore, my favorite memories are receiving
that “thank you” note or that big hug from my client
who is pleased with the results of a case. It literally warms my
soul and makes me feel that I am doing something worthwhile in my
life.
The Magnolia Bar Association is an organization primarily consisting
of African-American lawyers throughout the state of Mississippi.
A common misconception of the membership is that you can only be
a member is you are African American. We accept members of all nationalities
and ethnic backgrounds. Our primary goal is to assist in the administration
of justice of the laws throughout the state. Mississippi has a history
that is deeply rooted in the oppression of minorities and other
racial groups. Due to the tremendous efforts of many people, black
and white, Mississippi has made tremendous strides. We applaud those
efforts. However, there is still much work to be done until we have
a state that administers justice equitably to all of its citizens.
Eric Stringfellow is the Perspective editor for the Jackson
Clarion-Ledger. This conversation is reprinted with permission from
the Clarion-Ledger.
Back to top
 Giving
Program Revamped
to Recognize All Donors
by Stephen Snead
The University of Mississippi has unveiled major changes to its
annual giving program in an effort to boost participation and allow
all alumni and friends to be recognized appropriately for their
gifts. These changes will continue the Lamar Order’s role
as the leader in private support for the UM Law School.
For over 26 years, Lamar Order membership required a $5,000 pledge
payable over 10 years. In 1988, an affiliate membership of $1,000
payable over four years was added for recent graduates. In both
cases, membership was granted on a permanent basis and the requirements
never changed. This was a blessing for the law school, as more than
900 alumni and friends joined the Lamar Order, providing millions
of dollars in support over the years. But lifetime membership meant
that 70 percent of members decreased or stopped their support after
paying their pledges.
As of July 1, 2005, the Lamar Order has begun recognizing all annual
gifts to the UM School of Law, no matter how large or small. Now,
alumni and friends who support the law school’s annual fund
but are not Lamar Order members will receive much-deserved recognition
for their gifts. We now have giving levels that range from $1 to
more than $25,000. The inset pyramid illustrates the new levels.
All alumni and friends who joined the Lamar Order before July 1
are now called “Founding Members” and will be permanently
recognized for their years of loyal support to the law school. In
addition to Founding Members, anyone who supports the law school
with a gift of $1,000 or more ($500 for graduates of the last 10
years) will be invited to attend Lamar Order meetings and events
the following year. We arrived at this amount by factoring inflation
into the original $500 annual Lamar Order pledge.
While this is an adjustment, it does bring us closer to how other
charitable organizations raise annual support. Consider your local
United Way campaign that asks for your support every year. Like
the United Way, your local church and our peer schools, the law
school needs sustained annual support. Chancellor Robert Khayat
always reminds us that private support provides the margin of excellence
for the University of Mississippi. For the law school, that is indeed
the case. We appreciate your support.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (662)-915-6929
or ssnead@ olemiss.edu.
2005 Class Reunion Giving Program
THE LAW ALUMNI CHAPTER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF
MISSISSIPPI
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING DONORS:
CLASS OF 1955
Omar Craig
Ernest Duff
Louis Fondren
Agustin Mangual
Mary Libby Payne
Charles Pringle
Marion Smith
CLASS OF 1965
Dick Bennett
William M. Dye Jr.
Nicholas Haas
Landy Teller
John M. Tipton
CLASS OF 1975
Roy Campbell
Benjamin Griffith
Ray McNamara
W. Don Nichols
CLASS OF 1980
Powell Ogletree Jr.
David Wheeler
CLASS OF 1985
John G. Jones
Lisa Bourdeaux Percy
J. Stevenson Ray
CLASS OF 1995
Mike Cooper
Henry Dick III
Total Pledged: $20,150
Number of Donors: 23
Stephen Snead is the assistant to the law dean
for advancement.
Back to top
Class Notes
1960s
Charles W. Pickering Sr. (LLB 61) joined Baker,
Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz as senior counsel. He
is a former U.S. federal district judge for Mississippi.
Edward C. Prisock (65) retired as chancellor of
the Sixth Chancery Court District after 30 years. He will take senior
status and hear cases assigned by the Supreme Court of Mississippi.
Back to top
1970s
Roger T. Clark (70) was appointed circuit judge
for the 2nd Circuit Court District of Mississippi. He was previously
a partner at Bryant, Clark, Dukes & Blakeslee in Gulfport.
Leonard Van Slyke (70) was elected to the board
of Meritas. He is a partner in Watkins, Ludlam, Winter & Stennis
in Jackson.
Charles P. Quarterman (72) is Special Assistant
Attorney General, Divison of Medicaid in Jackson.
M. Keith Starrett (74) was appointed U.S. District
Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi.
William O. Brown Jr. (77) is a partner in Copeland,
Cook, Taylor & Bush in Ridgeland. He is one of the first Mississippi
attorneys to be admitted to Attorneys for Family-Held Enterprises.
John M. McCullouch (78) was inducted into the Mississippi
Business Hall of Fame. He is president of BellSouth-Mississippi.
Cynthia Hewes Speetjens (78) opened her own law
office in Jackson.
Steven H. Smith (79) joined Dunbar Monroe in Jackson..
Back to top
1980s
Robert D. Gholson (80) and Craig N. Orr
(94) announce that the Laurel firm Gholson and Orr has
merged with the regional law firm Burr & Forman.
Robert H. “Bob” Harper (80) has left
Holcomb Dunbar in Southaven to form Baskin, McCarroll, McCaskill
& Campbell.
Thomas C. Lacey Jr. (82) is a partner in Copeland,
Cook, Taylor & Bush in Ridgeland. He is one of the first Mississippi
attorneys to be admitted to Attorneys for Family-Held Enterprises.
William A. “Bill” Baskin (83) has left
Holcomb Dunbar in Southaven to form Baskin, McCarroll, McCaskill
& Campbell.
Julie Sneed Muller (84) is an associate with Brunini,
Grantham, Grower & Hewes in Jackson.
Peter C. Abide (86) is a shareholder at the newly
opened Currie Johnson Griffin Gaines & Meyers in Biloxi.
William Perry McGaugh Jr. (86) was named vice president,
legal with Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company in their
Jackson office.
John T. Kitchens (87) joined Page, Mannino, Peresich
& McDermott in Jackson.
Michael M. Taylor (87) was appointed circuit court
judge for the 14th Circuit Court District composed of Lincoln, Walthall
and Pike counties.
Back to top
1990s
H. Burton Baker (90) was appointed circuit public defender
for the Cordell Judicial Circuit of Cordell, Ga.
David W. Baria (90) of Baria, Hawkins & Stracener
has relocated from the firm’s Jackson office to the Bay St.
Louis office.
Robert P. Chamberlin (90) was appointed circuit
court judge for the 17th District. He is a state senator.
John R. “Mac” McCarroll III (91) has
left Holcomb Dunbar in Southaven to form Baskin, McCarroll, &
Campbell.
McCaskill & Campbell.Jimmy McClure (91) serves
as president of the Mississippi Municipal Judges Association. He
served for ten years as municipal judge for the city of Sardis.
Jeffrey S. McCaskill (92) has left Holcomb Dunbar
in Southaven to form Baskin, McCarroll, McCaskill & Campbell.
Tamara Taylor Pitts (93) has opened her own law
office in Burlington, Ky. Her husband James Pitts (92) is General
Counsel with Fidelity Investments in Burlington.
Eugenia Gaerig “Gigi” McGown (94) has
joined Baskin, McCarroll, McCaskill & Campbell of Southaven.
Craig N. Orr (94) and Robert D. Gholson
(80) announce that the Laurel firm Gholson and Orr has
merged with the regional law firm Burr & Forman.
James J. Crongeyer Jr. (95) is a member of Watkins
& Eager in Jackson.
John R. Mobley II (95) is the circuit public defender
for the Tifton Judicial Circuit in Tifton, Ga.
David F. Maron (95) and Scott W. Pedigo
(97) were elected shareholders in the Jackson office of
Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz.
Rajita Tyer Moss (96) announces the formation of
Owens Moss in Jackson.
Adam Stone (96) is a shareholder of Watkins Ludlam
Winter & Stennis in Jackson.
Billy C. Campbell (97) has left Holcomb Dunbar
in Southaven to form Baskin, McCarroll, McCaskill & Campbell.
John William Eads (97) was selected to oversee
elections across Mississippi as an assistant secretary of state.
David K. Pharr (97) has joined the Jackson office
of Bradley, Arant, Rose & White.
Randy Grant Pierce (97) was appointed by Governor
Haley Barbour as one of the chancery court judges for the 16th District.
Dale G. Russell (97) is a shareholder at Copeland,
Cook, Taylor & Bush in Jackson.
Daniel L. Ballou (98) serves as judge of the 34th
Judicial District for the Commonwealth of Kentucky in Wiliamsburg,
Ky.
R. Richard Cirilli Jr. (98) is a member of Brunini,
Grantham, Grower & Hewes in Jackson.
Margaret Sams Gratz (98) is an associate at Mitchell,
McNutt & Sams in Tupelo.
Elizabeth Ann Horton (98) is an ethics advisor
in the White House Counsel’s Office in Washington, D.C.
Jarret P. Nichols (98) is owner of Title First
in Jackson.
Warren K. Rogers Jr. (98) is a member of Brunini,
Grantham, Grower & Hewes in Jackson.
Emily Wade Turner (98) has joined Baskin, McCarroll,
McCaskill & Campbell of Southaven.
Robert Quentin Whitwell Jr. (98) is a shareholder
in the newly renamed Stroud Harper & Whitwell in Southaven.
Andy T. Arant Jr. (99) opened his own office, Arant
Law Firm, in Oxford.
J. Dennis Coleman (99) is an associate with Dunbar
& Associates in Oxford.
George Frazier Gates (99) is an associate with
Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes in Jackson.
Bradley M. Glaze (99) is an associate with Wells
Marble & Hurst in Jackson. He served as Judge Advocate with
the U.S. Army and as a special assistant U.S. attorney.
Tara McCallum Polleys (99) is an administrative
law attorney with the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate at Fort
Lewis, Washington.
Maretta Martin McLeod Walley (99) was appointed
to the Mississippi Board of Pharmacy.
Enrique “Rick” Yabor (99) is an associate
with the Coral Gables, Fla., law firm Welbaum, Guernsey, Hingston,
Greenleaf, Gregory, Black & Rune.
Back to top
2000s
S. Ray Hill III (00) is a member of Clayton O’Donnell
Walsh & Davis in Oxford.
Jason E. Weeks (00) is an associate at Page, Kruger &
Holland, P.A., in Jackson.
Bradley A. Wellborn (00) is an associate with Latham &
Burwell in Jackson. He served four years with the U.S. Navy JAG
Corps.
April R. Black (01) is a political appointee of the Bush
administration and is working for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration as a congressional affairs specialist.
Kelly Pendergrass Dees (01) is an associate with Brunini,
Grantham, Grower & Hewes in Jackson.
Chad M. Doleac (01), Marvell M. Gordon (03), Allyson L. Nelson (02)
and Marvin L. Sanders (04) are assistant
district attorneys in the Hinds County District Attorney’s
Office in Jackson.
John Hinkle (01) is an associate at Markow, Walker and
Reeves in Ridgeland.
David “Whit” Whitmire Waide Jr. (01) has joined
the Mississippi Treasury Department as counselor to state treasurer
Tate Reeves. He is also an adjunct constitutional law professor
at Millsaps College.
Sharon A. Witty (01), J. Adam Powers (02) and Mary
Helen Wall (02) are assistant public defenders in the Hinds
County Public Defender’s Office in Jackson.
Jennifer Nan Hale (02) is an associate
with McGlinchey Stafford in the business section in Jackson.
R. Kevin Hamilton (02) is an associate with Christovich
& Kearney in New Orleans.
Carter C. Hitt (02) is a partner in the Oxford law firm
of Hughes & Hitt.
Carlos D. Palmer (02) was recently sworn in as interim
justice court judge for Leflore County.
Amanda Benefield Quave (02) has transferred to the newly
opened Currie Johnson Griffin Gaines &
Meyers office in Biloxi.
Noel A. Rogers (02) and James S. McCoy (04) are associates
at Burr & Forman in Laurel.
Brandi L. Brown (03) is a law clerk for Judge Winston Kidd
with the Hinds County Circuit Court.
Susan O. Carr (03) and Kristopher A. Graham (02) are associates
at Page Kruger & Holland, P.A., in Jackson.
Katherine Pugh Hinkle (03) is an assistant district attorney
with Hinds County.
R. Shane McLaughlin (03) and Nicole Harris McLaughlin
(03) have opened McLaughlin Law Firm in Tupelo.
Jeremy Paul McNinch (03) is an associate with Deutsch,
Kerrigan & Stiles in Gulfport. He is a former law clerk to Chief
Justice James W. Smith Jr. of the Mississippi Supreme Court.
Pepper A. Pearson (03) is an associate in the Biloxi office
of Page, Mannino, Peresich & McDermott.
Nathan L. Prescott (03) is an associate in the Biloxi office
of Page, Mannino, Peresich & McDermott.
Brett A. Schubert (03) is clerking for Tennessee Court
of Appeals Judge J.C. McLin in Memphis.
David B. Denison (04) is an associate with the Jackson
law firm Mockbee Hall & Drake, P.A.
Jeremy T. Hutto (04) is an associate at Currie Johnson
Griffin Gaines & Myers in Jackson.
Joshua L. Rogers (04) joined the Voters’ Rights Section
of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice in Washington,
D.C.
Andrew Seger (04) graduated first in his class in Fordham
University’s master’s program in international business
trade.
Back to top
Marriages
Sharon Lorraine Walters (03) to T.L. “Smith”
Boykin III (04), April 9, 2005, at Northminster Baptist
Church in Jackson.
Robyn Sydney Kirksey (81) to Jimmy McClure
(91), July 8, 2004, in Destin, Fla.
Tina L. Hill (98) to William “Bill”
Walker, November 12, 2004, in Naples, Fla.
Tameka Wilder (04) to Tondre T. Buck, December
29, 2004.
Brynna Clark (04) to Scott Kenton Cool, March 12,
2005, in Jackson.
James Douglas Foster (02) to Jillian James, October
23, 2004.
April Roberts (01) to Michael Stewart Black on
September 18, 2004, in Chesapeake, Va., at Great Bridge Baptist
Church.
Erin Christ Rodgers (99) to Bradley Clay Rodgers
on September 14, 2004, in Greece. Erin is an associate at Young
Williams, P.A., in Jackson.
Meredith Morgan Scott to Jason Edward Brown (05)
on May 21, 2005, in New Albany.
Kathryn Lindsey Battle to Kelly Wyche McMullan (01)
on May 28, 2005, at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson.
Shannon Marie Bringer to Moss Butler Melton (00)
on May 21, 2005, at Jefferson United Methodist Church in Jefferson,
Ohio.
Laurie Nicole Ratcliffe to William Henry Barbour III (94)
on May 7, 2005, at First Presbyterian Church in Natchez.
Caroline Sinclair Ellender to Jonathan B. Compretta (99)
on May 21, 2005, at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Hattiesburg.
Back to top
Births
Elizabeth Jane Beckett, daughter of Sara Katherine Ott Beckett and
Patrick Ryan Beckett (99), Aug. 27, 2004.
Hudson Ross Hadley, son of C. Elizabeth Ross Hadley (99)
and Bryan Hadley, Feb. 13, 2005.
Alexander Roy Rider, son of Wendy A. Rider and Ronald T.
Rider (88), Aug. 26, 2004. Their son William Edward Rider
was born Feb. 2, 2002.
John Bailey Hill, son of Kathryn Goss Hill (00) and
Sidney Ray Hill (00), December 23, 2004.
 William
Aiden Dorman, son of Janice Lynn McLauchlin Dorman (03)
and William “Bill” Dorman, January 4, 2005.
Stevens Leggett Roberson and Shelby McIntosh Roberson, daughters
of Kelly McIntosh Roberson (96) and Richard James
Roberson Jr., September 6, 2003.
Chandler Perrin Harrison, daughter of Sharon and William
Christopher Harrison (97), December 29, 2004.
Emily “Emma” Sanders Shelton, daughter of Emily and
David W. Shelton (99), November 22, 2004.
 Emma
Walsh Couch, daughter of Michelle Godwin Couch and Allen
B. Couch Jr. (96), September 2, 2004.
Mollie Ann Robertson, daughter of Rachel Poole Robertson and M.
Craig Robertson (99), April 26, 2004.
Katherine Layne Kennedy, daughter of Patricia Fleming Kennedy
(01) and Gregg Kennedy, December 9, 2004.
Ceralene Rose Payne, daughter of Sasha K. Payne (04)
and Robert Payne, February 21, 2005.
Arthur “Aden” Dennis Spratlin III, son of Liz Mavar
and Arthur D. Spratlin Jr. (91), March 31, 2005.
Back to top
Deaths
Linda Carol Slade (81) of Diamondhead, Feb. 17,
2005.
Dixie Aldrich Bearden (73) of Florence, March 2,
2005.
Joe Hardeman Daniel (LLB 40) of Jackson, February
1, 2005.
Richard Dear Foxworth (LLB 64) of Columbia, January
18, 2005.
William J. “Pete” Gamble III (80) of
Hattiesburg, January 22, 2005.
Lynn Milam Granberry (81) of Madison, December
11, 2004.
Robert Charles Trainor (LLB 55) of Jackson, December
24, 2004.
William L. Denton (65) of Gulfport,
December 3, 2004.
Overton A. Currie (LLB 49) of Hattiesburg, February
26, 2005.
Joseph Eason Wroten (LLB 48) of Aberdeen, March
17, 2005.
Billy Wayne Hood (78) of Gulfport, April 12, 2005.
Alton H. Harvey (LLB 58) of Fort Myers, Fla., April
23, 3005.
Back to top
UM
Law School Class Reunion
Back to top
 Closing
Argument
Much ‘I-Do’ About Nothing
by Marc M. Harrold
It is wrong for the government to marry same-sex
couples. At first glance, many will assume that this statement stems
from my beliefs about the morality of the homosexual lifestyle generally
or the sanctity of the institution of marriage specifically. But
my personal opinions are, and should be, irrelevant in this context.
I don’t believe the government should marry anyone.
My plan is simple. The government does not “marry” people;
instead, the government only performs “civil unions”
for any couple (who otherwise qualify) regardless of gender composition.
Two people enter into a civil union, basically a contract, before
government authorities, which allows them to obtain a legal status
that has both positive and negative consequences. As it does with
almost every assignment of governmental benefit or status, the government
will not discriminate or judge on the basis of gender or sexual
orientation. This is a covenant between two people and a secular
government that should be nondiscriminatory as it is governed by
our rule of law.
Then there is marriage, a completely different animal. Many times
marriage is about a couple’s covenant, not with secular government,
but with some higher power or deity in their lives. People can and
should have their own opinions about marriage. You can even choose
not to “recognize” the marriages of others if you don’t
feel that they are valid. Go nuts! Just because you have the right,
as individuals, to hold these beliefs about who can and cannot marry
doesn’t mean a collective government has the same right to
discriminate on behalf of the majority.
To illustrate, suppose that Church A refuses to marry a couple if
one or both of the individuals have been divorced. That’s
Church A’s right. If the couple goes to Church B and gets
married, no one in Church A is forced to “recognize”
the marriage, consider the couple married or even like it.
Further, if a couple chooses, they don’t have to both obtain
a civil union and get married. If they want to be recognized by
the government as one legal entity, they have to get a civil union.
If they want to get married by some nongovernmental entity, they
can do that, too. While there will be no argument over whether the
couple is part of a civil union, people can argue amongst themselves
to their heart’s content about who is and who is not “married.”
Providing equal benefits in the form of a uniform civil union available
to couples regardless of gender composition does not force anyone
to accept gay marriage any more than it forces them to accept the
homosexual lifestyle generally. The fact that negative feelings
exist toward this lifestyle is what necessitates equal access to
a valuable government-sponsored status to begin with. This is the
essence of equal protection under the law.
Marc Harrold is counsel for national programs and visiting professor
with the National Center for Justice and the Rule of Law. Opinions
expressed herein are solely those of the author.
Back to top
|
