Old News

We Welcome Mary Beth Jordan, Certified Paralegal to Freeland Martz, PLLC

          We are excited that Mary Beth Jordan will join Freeland Martz. Mary Beth will be serving primarily as Hale Freeland’s paralegal and will be replacing Chas Ellzy who will be attending law school. We wish Chas well as he begins a new journey.

Mary Beth grew up in Clarksdale, Mississippi, attended Delta State University receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Information Systems in 2004 and completed the Paralegal Certification program at the University of Mississippi in 2005. Thereafter she worked as a paralegal in noteworthy law firms in Clarksdale, Hattiesburg, and Jackson, Mississippi. She came highly recommended from the  Jackson law firm where she worked. Mary Beth moves to Oxford after her husband, Talmadge,  was transferred to Oxford. He serves as an officer with Regions Bank here.

Posted 4/25/2018

  • To date, Freeland Martz obtains relief in the amount $6,475,190.29 for clients who were victims of a scheme involving various individuals, various businesses which the clients were not associated with.“Clients were victims of a scheme in which the perpetrators of the scheme attempted to have the clients liable for the losses arising from a multimillion-dollar check-kiting scheme. The firm obtained the bank’s files from the perpetrators’ businesses through subpoena,  brought the suits which challenged the transactions which were covered by the perpetrators of the scheme in questionable loans. Over the past few years, Reed Martz and Hale Freeland negotiated a settlement of the claims with the financial institutions from within and outside of Mississippi. Each party settled for their own particular reasons and was recently approved by a federal court.”

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Posted: 4/23/2018

  •  Freeland facilitates in the Division of a Large Family Farm Partnership

Freeland represented one of the two families operated a large family farming operation for over twenty-five years.  When his client his partner to add his name to the farm leases, his partner refused. At that point, the parties decided to end the partnership and the other partner attempted to acquire the partnership leaseholds as he could.

Faced with a difficult, and emotional situation, the farmer came to the firm and avoid to “every partner for himself” strategy imposed upon him. The firm filed suit to orderly wind down the partnership and allow both partners to distribute the Family Partnership equipment, income, and other assets in a manner to avoid disrupting harvesting and planting seasons. The dispute was resolved without mediation and before it had to be tried in Court. The Firm’s client is farming still, probably better off, having obtained additional property to farm. He anticipates his son joining the operation in a year or two.

                                                                                                                                     Posted: 4/9/2018

  •  Freeland Martz obtains court approval of $227,190.29 settlement in which the Financial Institution dismissed the claim against the client for payment of a questionable debt.

“Clients were victims of a scheme which included the forgery of their signatures and an alleged check-kiting scheme in which the clients were unaware of at the time and the perpetrators of the scheme obtained questionable loans in which they attempted to make the clients liable for the losses arising from the scheme. Hale Freeland obtained the bank’s files, challenged issues related to the underlying bank loans and transactions and brought the suit which challenged the loans and sought recovery of the clients’ payment of those loans. Reed Martz and Hale Freeland negotiated a settlement of the claims with the financial institution which the court approved. Each party settled for their own particular reasons and was recently approved by a federal court.”
Posted: 3/8/2018

  • Freeland Martz restores the inheritance to a wife and son after the daughter who had served as executor attempted to keep the Estate for herself.

“A successful entrepreneur was diagnosed with cancer and died years ago. His daughter who worked with him opened his Estate which was supposed to go to the deceased husband’s wife, son, and daughter since the husband left with no will. Rather than carry out the order closing her Father’s estate, the daughter got her mother, who had lost capacity, and she signed over all their property to the daughter. The daughter cut timber on the property and “drained” equity in the business the Family was supposed to own together. After discovering what had occurred, the brother sought the help of the chancery court.  Through a settlement a few days before trial, restored the inheritances which should have gone to the three husbands. Fortunately, there were sufficient assets, pressure from the court and counsel to accomplish the resolution coupled with a desire of the Family members to end the conflict and reconcile.”

                                                                                                                                    Posted: 3/8/2018

FIRMS ANNIVERSARY !!!

We recognize and celebrate the tenth anniversary of the firm this month. Our attorneys and staff have practiced and worked elsewhere for many years. At Freeland Martz, PLLC we are happy that our firm has given us greater opportunities to serve our clients in resolving legal disputes and advising how to avoid disputes.

Posted: 17.10.09

  • ​Freeland to present a Legal Ethics program on May 17, 2017 to recent Ole Miss Law Graduates entitled “How to get it done without being a jerk”
  • “Dismissal of Montana Bank Claim and Judgment, Relieving Clients of $843,070.75 Liability”

“Clients were sued to collect a “loan” but was the victim of an alleged check-kiting scheme of which the clients were unaware of at the time they were asked to execute a loan to cover the losses arising from the scheme. Hale Freeland obtained the bank’s files, challenged issues related to the underlying bank loans and transactions. The financial institution which brought the suit denied any knowledge or participation in the scheme. Each party settled for their own particular reasons and was recently approved by a federal court.”

  • Freeland Resolves Will Contest in a Small Town When a Financial Adviser Tried to Take Advantage of an Aged Customer Suffering from Dementia

A World War II Veteran pilot and former “Blue Angel” Navy pilot was left to live in deplorable conditions as his health and mental capacity deteriorated. He retired from the Navy after 30 years of service that began when he joined the Navy during WWII as an enlisted aircraft mechanic. A “friend,” who began providing “financial advice,” took control of the veteran’s assets as the veteran lost mental capacity. He had the veteran taken to an out-of-town stranger to prepare a will, which tried to give  the veteran’s multi-million dollar estate to the “friend,” and the friend’s family. He had the veteran sign documents so that the veteran’s remains would be controlled by his “friend” upon the veteran’s death. The family took action, filed a conservatorship, helped restore their uncle’s health, which helped extend his life several years. Upon his recent death, the family ensured that their uncle received full military honors on-board a United States Navy warship, which committed his ashes to sea and also held a service for friends and family. The family challenged the questionable will, and the veteran died intestate – without a will – in a resolution of the case the week before the will contest was to be tried. Everyone was relieved to avoid what was going to be a difficult week of trial.

  • Freeland Settles Suit for $2,040,000.00 Against Trustee for Trust Beneficiary:

Together with a prestigious regional law firm, Hale Freeland filed suit against the trustee for taking advantage of his position as the trustee for his niece. The trust was established by a farmer for his only child after he was diagnosed with cancer. The father held a one-half interest in 1,649 acres of farmland and established the trust to ensure that his daughter would benefit from his interest. The father’s brother promised to take care of his niece through the trust. After the father’s death, the brother took control of the family farm and the $491,522.00 the father left to his daughter through a life insurance policy. The trustee failed to honor his promise to his dying brother, used his niece’s trust to pay his personal debts, kept all the income from the farm for himself, and concealed his activities from his niece and her mother. After long and protracted litigation in which the trustee attempted to avoid his responsibilities, the case settled when the trustee was about to face a jury trial.

  • Freeland Recovers Gift Intended for North Mississippi Church:

Freeland Martz was retained by a church whose member passed away without notice of her death or service of commitment made in her behalf.  After becoming aware of their member’s passing, the church held a service for her and then engaged Freeland Martz to investigate the circumstances. The firm determined that the decedent’s estate had been opened without notice to the beneficiaries of her estate.  Freeland Martz entered and made an appearance to protect the interests of the church and identified assets the decedent intended for the church and others. Freeland Martz took over control of the member’s estate and recovered significant bequests. They accomplished this without divisive hearings but instead by putting others on notice that the generosity of the decedent would be honored.

  •  Freeland Settles Collection Lawsuit Brought by a Financial Institution,  Relieves client of $1,226,299.00 Claim:

The client was sued to collect a “loan” but instead was the victim of an alleged check-kiting scheme of which he was unaware of at the time he was asked to execute a loan to cover the losses arising from the scheme. The financial institution which brought the suit denied any knowledge or participation in the scheme. Each party settled for their own particular reasons before any court decided who was responsible for losses and was recently approved by a federal court.

  • Reed Martz to be Guest Expert on MPB Radio Show In Legal Terms, Tuesday, August 4th, 10:00 a.m.:

On Tuesday August 4, 2015, In Legal Terms discussed the 2nd Amendment and Gun Laws. Reed Martz was there to answer questions regarding the “purse carry” law, which went into effect on July 1, 2015, a 5th Circuit Court decision on Mississippi’s “guns in trunks” law, flaws in the NICS background check system, Obama’s failed war on guns, and more.

  • Reed Martz has been booked to give two presentations about one of his favorite legal topics — Mississippi and federal gun laws and the justified use of deadly (defensive) force. The first presentation is to a statewide audience of other attorneys on June 19, 2015.  See More.
  • Hale Freeland will be a Presenter for the annual Elder Law Seminar sponsored by North Mississippi Legal Services at the University of Mississippi Law School on August 7, 2015:

http://www.nmrls.com/2015%20Elder%20Law%20Conference.htm

Hale will present “Overreaching & the Elderly,” which will include recognizing issues of capacity and in capacity in the elderly, discerning the intent and furthering the best interest of elderly persons, and addressing problems of predators of elderly persons.

  • Hale Freeland will be a Presenter in the National Business Institute seminar “Trusts 101,” in Southaven, Mississippi, on July 28, 2015:

http://www.nbi-sems.com/Details.aspx/R-69281ER%7C?ctname=SPKEM

Hale will  lead “Estate Planning for the Disabled” and “Ethical Considerations.” To register for this seminar, please visit www.nbi-sems.com.

  • Freeland Martz Now Offers Limited Scope Representation (Unbundled) Legal Services:

As a way to increase the availability of legal services to those of moderate to low income, Freeland Martz announces that it now offers limited scope representation, also known as unbundled legal services.

  • Freeland Martz obtains court approval of $4,337,598.00 settlement which includes debt relief of $2,857,498.66 and a payment of $1,480,000.00.

“Clients were victims of bank fraud which included the forgery of their signatures and an alleged check-kiting scheme in which the clients were unaware of at the time they were asked to execute a loan to cover the losses arising from the scheme. Hale Freeland obtained the bank’s files, challenged issues related to the underlying bank loans and transactions and brought the suit which challenged the loans and sought recovery of the clients’ payment of those loans. Reed Martz and Hale Freeland negotiated a settlement of the claims with the financial institution which the court approved. Each party settled for their own particular reasons and was recently approved by a federal court.”
Posted: 17.03.23