In the News

Steinberger Speaks at Employment Law Seminar

Heidelberg Steinberger — Fri, 10 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Karl Steinberger will be a speaker at an upcoming seminar on May 31, 2013 in Gulfport, Mississippi. Sponsored by the University of Mississippi, the seminar will address advanced issues on Employment Law. He will be joining a group of prestigious attorneys from throughout the State to discuss new developments in this ever-changing field. For additional information or to register click here.

Wilson Discusses 2013 Miss. Legislative Session

Heidelberg Steinberger — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Cory Wilson, who heads the Firm's Jackson office, recently published a discussion of this year's Miss. Legislature in the recent newsletter of the Madison County Business League. Read this short but insightful article (starting on page 3) here.

A former Chief of Staff for Miss. Secretary of State, Delbert Hosemann, and White House Fellow, Cory closely monitors state legislative and executive agency activity for the Firm and his clients.

Armer to Appear on Law Call

Heidelberg Steinberger — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Tristan Armer will appear on "Law Call" a program dedicated to consumer legal affairs. The program will be broadcast on WLOX-TV, Channel 13 (ABC) on Saturday, April 27 at 10:30pm.

Dupont Named Top Business Leader under 40

Heidelberg Steinberger — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Jessica Dupont was recognized by the Sun Herald and The Journal of South Mississippi Business as being “a strong, up-and-coming young business leader” on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. As one of this year’s 10 top business leaders under the age of 40, she is listed in the Roland Weeks’ Leadership Hall of Fame.

Jessica is president-elect of the Mississippi Women Lawyers' Association and has held several leadership positions within the Mississippi Bar. Haley Barbour, as governor, appointed her to represent our congressional district on the Mississippi College Savings Plan Board of Directors, and, along with Firm shareholder, Jimmy Heidelberg, Jessica oversees over $100 million in Community Development Block Grants received by Jackson County Utility Authority following Hurricane Katrina.

Outside her work and involvement in the legal profession, Jessica’s activities include the Pascagoula-Moss Point Junior Auxiliary, EMERGE Pascagoula, the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and other civic organizations. She is active locally and participates in many community events.

Firm Hosts Annual Worker's Compensation Seminar

Heidelberg Steinberger — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The firm will once again host its annual seminar entitled “Guidelines for Employers and Carriers” at the Grand Magnolia in Pascagoula, MS on May 23, 2013.

We will be discussing our newly revised manual which highlights various aspects of Mississippi’s Workers Compensation Law. There will be a special emphasis on the new amendments that apply to all injuries after July 1, 2012. As always, we will also include a presentation on Recent Developments in Employment Law as well.

For further information, please the attached flyer here.

Zorn presents Employment Law Seminar

Heidelberg Steinberger — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Stacie Zorn will participate in the presentation of a seminar "Fundamentals of Employment Law" on May 31 in Biloxi, Mississippi. Among the topics to be presented are:

Hiring and terminating employees in the Current Economy;
Immigration Law
Fair Labor Standards Act/Wage and Hour Critical Issues
Latest Update on PPACA
Sexual, Racial and Other Workplace Harassment
ADA & FMLA Updates & Interplay
Privacy and Social Media in the Workplace

The seminar will be held at the IP Casino Resort in Biloxi. For more information, contact Ms Zorn at szorn@hscbpa.com

Burrow named Top Rated Lawyer in Commercial Litigation

Heidelberg Steinberger — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Stephen Burrow has been named a "Top Rated Lawyer" in Commercial Litigation for 2013 as selected by American Lawyer Media and Martindale-Hubbell.

Stephen's practice is general, with an emphasis on Business Law, Business Development, Commercial Transactions, Business and Commercial Litigation, and Medical Malpractice Defense. He has given lectures and continuing education classes for professionals on such topics as, "Business Law for the Practicing Physician/Provider;" "Practitioner Responsibilities under HIPAA," and "Privacy of Peer Review Records.” Most recently, Stephen gave two seminars on the formation and operation of LLCs, and on Mississippi's 2010 Revised Limited Liability Company Act.

On the business/commercial side of his practice, Stephen has negotiated multi-million dollar company/asset acquisitions, while helping small businesses get off the ground and bounce back after Hurricane Katrina. From 2008-2009, Stephen served as a member of the LLC/Partnership Committee, charged by Mississippi's Secretary of State with updating and substantially revising Mississippi’s statutory regime for limited liability companies and partnerships. Through their combined efforts, the Secretary and the Committee were able to pass the first overhaul of Mississippi's LLC Act in almost 20 years.

In May 2010, the Mississippi Secretary of State again appointed Stephen, this time as the Vice-Chairman, for the Corporation Laws Study Group. This committee was charged with revising Mississippi’s laws regarding Corporations. The Committee completed its work in 2011, with the vast majority of its recommended changes to Mississippi's Business Corporation Act being approved by the Legislature and Governor Bryant.

To identify top rated lawyers for 2013, Martindale-Hubbell®, which is a preeminent information services company for the legal profession, reviewed its database of Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ to discover lawyers rated by their peers to be AV® Preeminent™ – the highest Peer Review Rating available. Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings are driven by confidential opinions of attorneys and members of the judiciary surveyed by Martindale-Hubbell® to provide reviews of lawyers of whom they have professional knowledge. American Lawyer Media is teaming with Martindale-Hubbell® to publish the 2013 top rated lawyer distinctions in the May edition of The American Lawyer and Corporate Counsel magazines.

Dupont Organizes Community Events

Heidelberg Steinberger — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 05:00:00 GMT

On March 14, firm attorney Jessica Dupont, along with EMERGE Pascagoula, a group of Pascagoula young professionals, hosted the four candidates in the 2013 race for Pascagoula Mayor. The candidates addressed four issues important to the members of EMERGE, and the forum was well-attended by the community.

Jessica, as Chair of the Advance Committee of EMERGE, is tasked with organizing Blues at the Beach, a summer music series hosted by EMERGE. This year’s Series will be held at Beach Park and begins April 12 with the DD Thunders Trio performing from 6pm until 8pm.

Armer Appointed to Harbor Commission

Heidelberg Steinberger — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Firm attorney, Tristan R. Armer, was recently appointed to the Jackson County Harbor Commission. He will be filling the unexpired seat of Mr. Tom McIllwain. The harbor, located in the City of Ocean Springs, is operated by the Jackson County Board of Supervisors. The seven member commission, appointed by the Board, helps directs the Harbor’s future planning. Mr. Armer looks forward to participating with the other commissioners to guide the use Jackson County's small craft harbor.

AGC Welcomes Steinberger & Payne

Heidelberg Steinberger — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Karl Steinberger and Jason Payne gave a presentation at the quarterly meeting of the Association of General Contractors on November 7 in Biloxi. Their topic was the 2012 Amendments to the Mississippi Workers Compensation Act.

Firm Attorneys Named Rising-Star Super Lawyers

Heidelberg Steinberger — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Congratulations to both Stacie Zorn and Ashley Ely Cannady. Both of them have been named as Rising Stars for 2012 Mid-South Super Lawyers. Stacie has been honored as a Rising Star for Employment and Labor Law. For the third year in a row, Ashley has been honored as a Rising Star for Employment Law.

Burrow rated AV by Martindale

Heidelberg Steinberger — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Martindale-Hubbell, the nation's oldest and most respected attorney rating service, recently revealed that Stephen Burrow has been given its highest rating of "AV." The Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ are an objective indicator of a lawyer's high ethical standards and professional ability, generated from evaluations of lawyers by other members of the bar and the judiciary in the United States and Canada. Martindale describes "AV Preeminent® [as] a significant rating accomplishment - a testament to the fact that a lawyer's peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence."

In private practice for over 19 years, Burrow specializes in litigation of all types, and advising corporations and entrepreneurs in their new and existing business endeavors.

Firm Raises Funds for Conservation

Heidelberg Steinberger — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Jason Payne and Tristan Armer raised over $11,500 for the Horn Island Chapter of Coastal Conservation Association. Jason, as banquet coordinator, and Tristan, as chapter President, volunteered a tremendous amount of their time organizing Coastal Conservation Association's annual banquet. The Firm is also a proud sponsor of Coastal Conservation Association and supports its mission to conserve and enjoy our coastal marine resources.

Steinberger & Cannady Discuss Impact of Social Media

Heidelberg Steinberger — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Karl Steinberger and Ashley Eley Cannady will present "The Impact of Social Media" to the Gulf Coast Human Resource Association on October 18, 2012. For more details click here.

Payne Chairs Zoning & Adjustments Board

Heidelberg Steinberger — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 05:00:00 GMT

At its September 4, 2012 meeting, the Ocean Springs’ Board of Aldermen appointed Jason M. Payne to the Zoning & Adjustment Board. The Board hears and decides appeals and requests for variances from the requirements in the City of Ocean Springs’ Zoning Ordinances. At its September 11, 2012 meeting, the Zoning & Adjustment Board unanimously elected Jason to be its Chairman.

Congratulations Jason!

Hurricane Isaac--Update

Heidelberg Steinberger — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 05:00:00 GMT

As Tropical Storm/Hurricane Isaac approaches, the Gulf Coast office of Heidelberg Steinberger prepares. We will close at noon on Tuesday. We will reopen, conditions permitting, at 8am on Thursday, August 30.

In the meantime, if you have an emergency, please contact our Jackson office at 601.351.9444.

UPDATE - Due to the slow forward progress of Hurricane Isaac, the Gulf Coast office will remain closed on Thursday, and reopen Friday, August 31.

Secretary of State appoints Wilson to Study Group

Heidelberg Steinberger — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Mississippi Secretary of State, Delbert Hosemann, has appointed Cory Wilson to be on the 2012 Business Incentives Study Group. The purpose of the Study Group is to solicit and discuss ideas and proposals on how best to promote Mississippi and entice large and small business development in the state.

Cory heads the firm's Capital office located just outside Jackson in Ridgeland.

Wilson Becomes Chair-Elect for Miss. Education Council

Heidelberg Steinberger — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The Board of the Mississippi Council on Economic Education selected Cory Wilson to be its Chair-elect at its July 19 board meeting. Wilson will serve under newly-elected MCEE Chairman Mark Blackwell for the coming year, and then become Chairman of MCEE in July 2013.

MCEE was formed by a group of business leaders in conjunction with the 60-year-old Council for Economic Education, which has affiliates in almost every state. MCEE’s mission is to insure K-12 schools and teachers across Mississippi provide quality instruction in economics and personal financial literacy, that is academically sound and non-partisan. To date, more than 5,600 teachers have participated in the training programs provided by MCEE. Those teachers impact 560,000 students every year.

Wilson will serve as Chair-elect during MCEE’s 10th anniversary year. As part of the 10th anniversary observance, MCEE will host its 2012 U.S. Senator Thad Cochran Forum on American Enterprise on Wednesday, October 31 at 11:30 am in Jackson. Nationally-known commentator Stuart Varney, with FOX Business News, will keynote the event, which will highlight MCEE’s successes over the last decade. For more information about MCEE, visit mscee.org

Wilson Elected Chairman

Heidelberg Steinberger — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Congratulations to Cory Wilson who has been elected Chairman of the Madison County Business League’s Government Relations Committee for 2012-2013. The MCBL partners with the Madison County Economic Development Authority to promote, develop and expand business, education, transportation, employment and other common business interests of commercial enterprises in Madison County.

As Government Relations Chair, Wilson will provide leadership to influence legislation to support business and industry in Madison County. HSCB has been a member of the MCBL since July 2011.

Cory heads the Firm's Capital office, located in Ridgeland.

Firm to Speak at Chamber

Heidelberg Steinberger — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 05:00:00 GMT

On July 18, Karl Steinberger, Stacie Zorn and Ashley Ely Cannady will speak at the "Small Business Lunch and Learn" hsoted by the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. Topics for the session will include a presentation by Karl Steinberger on the new amendments to Mississippi’s Workers Compensation Act which became effective on July 1, 2012, a presentation by Karl and Ashley Ely Cannady on the Impact of Social Media On The Workplace and a presentation by Stacie Zorn on Consideration of Arrest and Conviction Records in Employment Decisions.

Dupont to Serve on Magistrate Selection Committee

Heidelberg Steinberger — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Jessica Dupont has been selected as one of nine members to serve on the Merit Selection Panel to consider the reappointment of U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert H. Walker, Jr., whose term is due to expire in November of this year. As part of this important process, Dupont will consider comments received from members of the bar and the public, and participate in the determination of whether Magistrate Judge Walker should be recommended by the Panel for reappointment to a new eight year term by the Court.

Heidelberg Elected Mississippi Oil/Gas Board Chairman

Heidelberg Steinberger — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 05:00:00 GMT

On May 2, 2012, the Mississippi Senate unanimously confirmed Jimmy Heidelberg to a second term on the State's Oil & Gas Board. Nominated by Lt. Governor Tate Reeves, Jimmy has served on the Board since 2008. For the past two years, he has served as Vice-Chairman.

Heidelberg expressed his gratitude: "I am honored to serve Mississippi. I am equally humbled that Lt. Governor Reeves and the entire Senate have confidence in my abilities to continue that service on the Oil & Gas Board. Mississippi is on the cusp of significant developments in the industry, as our nation faces greater challenges to fulfilling its energy needs."

Heidelberg's term runs through April 30, 2016. For more information on the Oil & Gas Board, click here for the Board's web site.

UPDATED-At its May meeting, the Oil/Gas Board unanimously elected Jimmy as its new Chairman. He will serve in that capacity until April 2016.

5th Circuit affirms summary judgment in Religion Discrimination Case

Heidelberg Steinberger — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, recently affirmed summary judgment on behalf of Singing River Health System (SRHS) in a religious discrimination case. Employed as a certified nursing assistant at Singing River Hospital, the Plaintiff alleged she suffered discrimination as a result of her religious preference to take breaks during the work day to pray. The former employee also claimed she suffered a retaliatory discharge for complaining about religious discrimination. SRHS successfully argued that the employee failed to establish either claim because she was not treated differently than other similarly situated employees based upon her religion, and that it had legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons for regulating employee breaks. In fact, SRHS proved the employee's termination occurred based upon legitimate, non-discriminatory criteria. In the end, the Plaintiff failed to present any evidence to show she would not have been fired but for her complaint of religious discrimination.

Karl Steinberger and Stacie Zorn represented SRHS on behalf of the firm.

Summary Judgment dismissing Race Discrmination Claim

Heidelberg Steinberger — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi recently granted summary judgment in favor of Singing River Health System (SRHS) in a race discrimination case. The Plaintiff was employed as a PRN nurse at Singing River Hospital, a division of SRHS. She was terminated for falsifying time records in what was perceived by Singing River Hospital to be a fraudulent request for pay. Plaintiff claimed she suffered race discrimination and retaliation as a result of her employment and termination. During briefing she conceded her race discrimination claim and attempted to prove her retaliation claim could survive summary judgment. The district court found SRHS had a legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for terminating Plaintiff because it reasonably believed she falsified time records. The Court also found the Plaintiff did not present any evidence that SRHS's explanation of her termination was a mere pretext for unlawful discrimination.

Karl Steinberger and Stacie Zorn represented SRHS on behalf of the firm.

Governor Reappoints Colmer to Port Authority

Heidelberg Steinberger — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Governor Phil Byrant recently reappointed Jimmy Colmer for a four year term to the Jackson County Port Authority/Port of Pascagoula Board of Commissioners. After being sworn in, the Board reelected Colmer as Secretary.

Colmer has served on the Port Board since 1993. He was originally appointed by Governor Kirk Fordice. Since that time, he was reappointed twice by Governor Haley Barbour.

The Port of Pascagoula is the 17th largest seaport the United States, and the largest in Mississippi. In 2010, 37 million tons of cargo moved through the Port. The Board of Commissioners consists of nine members, four appointed by the Governor and five appointed by the Jackson County Board of Supervisors.

A news article about Colmer's reappointment can be found by clicking here.

Steinberger & Payne Address Ethical Obligations

Heidelberg Steinberger — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Karl Steinberger and Jason Payne authored an article entitled "Ethical Obligations Affecting Communications with Parties, Doctors and Rehabilitiative Personnel in the Workers Compensation Setting." This article appeared in the Winter 2012 Edition of The Mississippi Lawyer. The article may be reviewed by clicking here.

Court of Appeal affirms Lowes Dismissal

Heidelberg Steinberger — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

The Mississippi Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court judgment dismissing a time-barred claim in Hudson v. Lowe’s Home Centers, Inc., 2010-CA-01958-COA (Feb. 21, 2012). In Hudson, Jimmy Heidelberg and Jessica Dupont successfully argued the Plaintiffs failed to properly effect service of process and allowed the statute of limitations to expire, barring the Plaintiff's claims. The appellate court agreed, reaffirming Rule 4 of the Miss. Rules of Civil Procedure and its elementary principle that service of process has to be properly executed upon a party before it is effective.

The decision can be found by clicking here.

Wilson to Chair Romney Efforts in Madison County

Heidelberg Steinberger — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Cory Wilson has been tapped to serve as Madison County chair for Governor Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign. Mississippi’s primary election will be held March 13, and the race is likely to remain hotly contested by that time. Wilson will work to build grassroots support and organization for the Romney campaign in Madison County, one of the state’s biggest Republican counties. Wilson will be coordinating with the Romney campaign’s state leadership in the metro Jackson area.

Wilson serves in the firm's Capital office. Wilson also serves on the Madison County Republican Party Executive Committee. He also writes a weekly column for the Madison County Journal on politics and public policy.

Verdict in US District Court

Heidelberg Steinberger — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

The firm represented Automotive Rentals, Inc. and Siemens Water Technologies Corp. at a trial recently held in U.S. District Court in Gulfport, Mississippi. ARI and Siemens purchased a new industrial vacuum truck from the defendant, Keith Huber, Inc. Two weeks after its purchase, and after being transported to Orlando, Florida, the vacuum truck caught fire while completing operations to extract waste cooking oil from a restaurant at Universal Studios. The fire resulted in a total loss to the vacuum truck as well as damage to the surrounding area.

ARI and Siemens alleged Huber sold them a defective vacuum truck and sued under various theories. In January 2012 after an eight day trial, the jury returned a unanimous verdict against Huber, finding ARI’s damages to be $251,157.20 and Siemens damages to be $84,302.64.

Jimmy Colmer and Jason Payne tried the case, along with Vince Iozzi with the law firm Swartz Campbell, LLC from Philadelphia, PA.

Stale Case Buried in Supreme Court

Heidelberg Steinberger — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

The Mississippi Supreme Court affirmed the dismissal of a 10 year old case. In Knight v. Knight, two nephews sued their uncle less than one month after an alleged assault and battery in 1999. The case languished for years until the lower court clerk filed a motion to dismiss for lack of prosecution in 2009. The Plaintiffs did not respond, and the lower court dismissed the case. The Plaintiffs retained new counsel and refiled the lawsuit. The nephews claimed claimed because the original filing of the complaint tolled the one year statute of limitations for assault and battery, they were still within the time to file their claim.

The Supreme Court disagreed. Clarifying what had been inconsistent language in its decisions going back decades, the Court held that when a case is dismissed for lack of prosecution, there is no tolling of the statute of limitations by the filing of the 2009 Complaint. Because, the limitations period on the Plaintiffs' claims against their uncle expired in 2000, their refiling of the Complaint in 2010 was time-barred.

The decision is available by clicking here. James Colmer reprsented the defendant-uncle on appeal.