During the April 7 Poplarville Board of Aldermen meeting, the board appointed Nick Thompson as the city’s new attorney.
Thompson will replace long-time board attorney Martin Smith, who passed away in late February.
“We felt very fortunate to have a number of attorneys interested in filling the position of Mr. Martin,” Poplarville Mayor Brad Necaise said. “Every potential attorney was worthy of the position. The Board and I all agreed on former Poplarville native and now Hattiesburg resident Thompson.”
Thompson was born and raised in Poplarville and is a 1998 graduate of Poplarville High School.
He attended Mississippi State University, where he earned two bachelor of art degrees. The first in philosophy and religion and the second in communications and journalism, his resume states.
Thompson earned his juris doctorate from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 2009.
“I served as a law clerk to Mississippi Supreme Court’s Chief Justice William Waller, Jr. from 2009 to 2010, until I assumed my current position at a law firm in Hattiesburg,” Thompson said. “I am from Poplarville and I want to get back involved with the city I love.”
Thompson, a former Poplarville High School baseball player, said he doesn’t get back to Poplarville as much as he would like to and is eager to witness how a municipal government works.
“When the position became open, I wanted to help out,” Thompson said. “I believe this position will benefit both myself and the city. I want to do my part and help with legal questions and give advice. I want to be there for the city to help ensure the board does the right things to avoid legal problems and also help navigate them when legal problems arise.”
Thompson’s first official board meeting will be Tuesday, April 21 at 5 p.m. in the board chambers at City Hall.