Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company v. Hill

Filing 124

ORDER requiring in-person attendance at hearing and additional briefing. Signed by Magistrate Judge Jane M. Virden on 5/2/19. (ncb)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT
COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI
GREENVILLE DIVISION
MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY
V.

PLAINTIFF
CIVIL ACTION NO. 4:15CV-166-DMB-JMV

CANDACE L. WILLIAMSON,
Co-executor of the Estate of Purvis William Hill, Jr., ET AL.

DEFENDANTS

ORDER
Before the Court is Plaintiff Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company’s
(“MMLIC”) Motion for Civil Contempt and for Entry of Judgment [123]. By the motion,
MMLIC seeks an order of contempt and a monetary judgment against Candace Williamson, who
previously participated in this action as counsel on behalf of Purvis William Hill, Jr., but who
ultimately became a party only in her capacity as co-executor of the Estate of Purvis William
Hill, Jr.
In view of the nature of the claims made against Ms. Williamson—presumably in her
individual capacity—this matter will be set, by separate notice, for an in-person hearing that Ms.
Williamson (and her counsel if any) and counsel for MMLIC are required to attend. Ms.
Williamson should be prepared to explain to the Court why she should not be held in civil
contempt for failure to comply with the Orders described in MMLIC’s motion. Ms. Williamson
is warned that should she fail to appear at the hearing, she will subject herself to entry of a
contempt order and/or imposition of further sanctions, including, but not limited to, monetary
sanctions and suspension from practice in this District—as deemed appropriate by the Court.

Additionally, Ms. Williamson is advised that her failure to appear may warrant issuance of a
recommendation to the Mississippi Bar for investigation and possible disciplinary action.
Lastly, counsel for MMLIC shall, at least 7 days in advance of said hearing, file
additional briefing that contains legal authority in support of its request for a monetary
“judgment” against Ms. Williamson, a non-party to this action (now closed) in her individual
capacity.
SO ORDERED this 2nd day of May, 2019.

/s/ Jane M. Virden
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE