Arkansas’ Best Lawyers 2022

Arkansas’ Best Lawyers

Whether they are needed to help someone get out of a legal situation, set up a business or find resolutions to family issues, lawyers play a substantial role in keeping our society moving forward. According to the American Bar Association’s annual National Lawyer Population Survey, the number of attorneys in the country increased by 15.2 percent over the last decade. There are more than 1.33 million attorneys actively practicing law in the United States, and more than 6,000 practicing in Arkansas. With so many to choose from, it can be difficult for a potential client to know they are getting the best representation possible. With that in mind, AY About You is highlighting the Arkansas Bar Association’s award-winning lawyers ahead of its conference on June 15-17, as well as our readers’ choices for the best lawyers in the state.

Letter from the President

The Arkansas Bar Association brings lawyers from different backgrounds, different practice areas, and different geographic locations throughout the state together into one voluntary Association supporting the legal profession. Our members are the face of the Association. We work together to promote the effective and efficient administration of justice. We work together as one profession to accomplish common goals. The leadership and support of our members are invaluable to our profession. We work to create valuable experiences for our member lawyers, so they find value in supporting their Association.

The Arkansas Bar Association is excited to host our 124th Annual Meeting, Joint Meeting with the Arkansas Judicial Council, at the Hot Springs Convention Center, June 15-17, 2022. We look forward to getting together in person this year, hence our theme — “Let’s Get Together!” For 124 years, lawyers have traveled to “Get Together” in the company of others who chose a life in the law. In 2022, good fellowship for a couple of summer days, amid the magnolias flowering on Central Avenue, is just the restorative tonic we need.

The Arkansas Bar Association, along with AY Magazine, is proud to recognize our state’s outstanding attorneys. As association president, I am honored to recognize members for their efforts by presenting the awards listed below during a special awards ceremony on June 16, 2022.

Presidential Awards of Excellence:

Lillian Dee Davenport

Jason B. Hendren

Anton L. Janik Jr.

Golden Gavel Awards

Payton C. Bentley

David Biscoe Bingham

Maya S. Goree

Alan L. Lane

Kristin L. Pawlik

Adam D. Reid

George M. Rozzell

G. S. Brant Perkins

Cathy Underwood

Brook-Augusta Ware

Brett D. Watson

Patrick D. Wilson

Other Awards:

Payton C. Bentley

Vincent C. Henderson II

Frank W. Jenner

Caroline Kelley

Shane E. Khoury

William J. Ogles

Zachary Trail

Richard P. Walt

Brett D. Watson

The Arkansas Bar Foundation and the Arkansas Bar Association will recognize several persons because of their outstanding contributions:

Jean Turner Carter

Judge Barbara Halsey

Jonathan Q. Warren

Pulaski County Bar Association

Sebastian County Bar Association

Washington County Bar Association

Congratulations to the following members who have been admitted to the practice of law in Arkansas for 50 years:

James E. Baine • Ken F. Calhoon • Charles (Larry) Carpenter, Jr. • Orville C. Clift • Robert R. Cloar

Don N. Curdie • Judge Robert Edwards • Byron L. Freeland • Allan Gates • Morton Gitelman

Gregory B. Graham • Ronald L. Griggs • Stuart W. Hankins • Robert W. Hardin • L. Cody Hayes

Robert (Skip) L. Henry, III • Don Hollingsworth • Clifton H. Hoofman • Eugene Hunt • James W. Hyden

Hermann Ivester • Peter G. Kumpe • Fletcher C. Lewis • J. David Maddox • Bobby McDaniel

B. Jeffery Pence • John V. Phelps • Judge Ronnie A. Phillips • Jerry Clark Post • Judge Joe Ramos

William (Randy) RiddellTed C. Skokos • Howard L. Slinkard • Justice Rex Earl Starr • Joseph A. Strode

A. Glenn Vasser • Tom D. Womack • Ronald G. Woodruff •

Bob Estes

Arkansas Bar Association President, Attorney at Law, Fayetteville

Arkansas Bar Association Annual Award Recipients

Presidential Awards of Excellence

Lillian Dee Davenport, Simmons Bank Private Wealth, Little Rock, for several years of planning the Mid Year Meeting.

Jason B. Hendren, Hall Booth Smith, P.C., Rogers, for work on the Membership Task Force.

Anton L. Janik Jr., Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, P.L.L.C., Little Rock, for several years of chairing the Editorial Advisory Board.

Other Awards

Continuing Legal Education Award: Vincent C. Henderson II, Bureau of Legislative Research, Little Rock, for planning of the Government Practice Conference.

Continuing Legal Education Award: Shane E. Khoury, Arkansas Energy and Environment, Little Rock, for planning of the Natural Resources Conference.

Continuing Legal Education Award: Richard P. Walt, J. David Reynolds Company, Camden, for planning of the Natural Resources Conference.

Judith Ryan Gray Young Lawyer Service Award: William J. Ogles, Wright Lindsey Jennings, Little Rock, for extraordinary service and outstanding contributions to the Young Lawyers Section.

Frank C. Elcan Award: Payton C. Bentley, Clark Law Firm, PLLC, Fayetteville, for commitment and dedication to the Young Lawyers Section.

YLS Award of Excellence: Caroline Kelley, Kelley Law Firm, Rogers, for work as Secretary and Treasurer of YLS, Wills for Heroes Clinic and Chairing the YLS Annual Meeting Reception.

Maurice Cathey Award: Brett D. Watson, Searcy, for contributions to The Arkansas Lawyer Magazine.

YLS Award of Excellence: Frank LaPorte-Jenner, Pulaski County Attorney’s Office, Little Rock, for work on the Statute of Limitations Handbook and Wills For Heroes Project.

YLS Award of Excellence: Zachary R. Trail, Wright Lindsey Jennings, Little Rock, for work on the Statute of Limitations Handbook and Wills For Heroes Project.

Golden Gavel Awards

Kristin L. Pawlik, Miller, Butler, Schneider, Pawlik & Rozzell, PLLC, Fayetteville, for work as Annual Meeting Co-Chair.

Patrick D. Wilson, Wright Lindsey Jennings, Little Rock, for work as Annual Meeting Co-Chair.

Brook-Augusta Ware, Cordell & Cordell, PLC, Little Rock, for Family Law Track Planner for Annual Meeting.

George M. Rozzell, Miller, Butler, Schneider, Pawlik & Rozzell, PLLC, Fayetteville, for work as Chair of the Legislation Commitee.

Golden Gavel Awards

Adam D. Reid, Gill Ragon Owen, P.A., Little Rock, for work as Tax Law Track Planner for Mid Year.

Payton C. Bentley, Clark Law Firm, PLLC, Fayetteville, for work as Chair of the Young Lawyers Section.

Cathy Underwood, Attorney at Law, Little Rock, for work on the Paralegal Affiliate Membership Program.

Brett D. Watson, Attorney at Law, Searcy, for work on the Handling Appeals in Arkansas Handbook.

Maya S. Goree, Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon & Galchus, P.C., Little Rock, for work as Elder Law Track Planner for Mid Year.

G. S. Brant Perkins, The Perkins Law Firm, P.A., Jonesboro, for work as Chair of the Finance Committee.

Alan L. Lane, Odom Law Firm, P.A., Fayetteville, for work on the ABOTA Masters in Trial.

David Biscoe Bingham, Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, P.L.L.C., Little Rock, for work as Chair of the Jurisprudence and Law Review Committee.

Arkansas Bar Foundation and Arkansas Bar Association Joint Awards

The Arkansas Bar Foundation was established in 1958 to support efforts at improving the administration of justice. The foundation’s mission is to promote educational, literary, scientific and charitable purposes, and it is classified as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

Founded in 1898, the Arkansas Bar Association is the premier legal association in the state. As a voluntary organization of more than 5,000 members, the Association’s primary mission is to: support attorneys; advance the practice of law; advocate for the legal profession; foster professionalism, civility, and integrity; and protect the rule of law.

The Arkansas Bar Foundation and the Arkansas Bar Association have selected the following persons to honor this year because of their outstanding contributions. Those selected are:

Outstanding Jurist Award: Judge Barbara Halsey, retired, Jonesboro, given in recognition of exceptional competency, efficiency and integrity on the Bench and performed exemplary service to the administration of justice.

Equal Justice Distinguished Service Award: Jean Turner Carter, Center for Arkansas Legal Services, Little Rock, given in recognition of her commitment to and participation in equal justice programs, including pro bono efforts through legal services program.

Outstanding Lawyer-Citizen: Jonathan Q. Warren, Stephens, Inc., Little Rock, given in recognition of outstanding participation in and excellent performance of civic responsibilities and for demonstrating high standards of professional competence and conduct.