Practice Area

My current practice is mostly civil complex litigation. About half of my practice is made up of appellate cases on referral from other attorneys. I have handled appeals in a wide variety of substantive law areas. My appellate practice includes both civil and criminal appeals before the Arkansas Supreme Court, Arkansas Court of Appeals, and the Eighth Circuit. My trial work includes complex civil litigation and arbitration. I am frequently associated by other attorneys who need my research, writing, and analytical skills at trial. I have tried several jury trials solo, and several jury trials as co-counsel. Additionally, I handle routine collection litigation for several health care institutions, collection agencies, and small businesses. That practice area has provided the opportunity to appear in most of the circuit and state district courts in Arkansas.

On appeal in the federal courts, I was lead counsel in 28 appeals (and 15 oral arguments) at the Eighth Circuit. I’ve been involved in four certiorari petitions to the U.S. Supreme Court (including one that was ultimately successful on the merits). I’ve served as lead counsel on appeal in over 150 appeals in Arkansas state courts.

In the federal trial courts, I have handled civil rights cases, post-conviction cases, trademark disputes, contract and non-compete claims, defamation claims, attorney-fee collection cases, product liability cases, federal tort claims, social security cases, and cases arising under ERISA, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act. In state courts, I have handled a wide variety cases including car wrecks, commercial litigation, boundary disputes, malpractice claims, insurance claims, and complex business disputes.

I also handle routine collection cases in circuit and district courts throughout Arkansas. I have tried many hundred bench trials, several jury trials, and argued countless dispositive motions in circuit and district courts in Arkansas.

My clients run the gamut from local individuals to Fortune 500 companies. I am sensitive to client goals, budget, and risk tolerance. I trained in civil mediation at Northwestern University in Chicago and will generally explore alternative dispute resolution techniques when they benefit my client’s needs.