William J. Ogles
Chair
Wright, Lindsey & Jennings LLP, Little Rock
Hometown: North Little Rock
Current town: Little Rock
Where did you graduate from college and law school? University of Arkansas; University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Bowen School of Law
Where do you currently work: Wright, Lindsey & Jennings LLP
What is your favorite quote? “People will not care how much you know, until they know how much you care”- Teddy Roosevelt & “No one remembers what happened yesterday, no one cares about what is going to happen tomorrow- it’s all about today”. -J.B. Mauney
What is your favorite legal movie or show? The West Wing; A Few Good Men
What advice would you give to a first-year attorney? There’s a reason they call it a “law practice” you’re never done learning, growing, or getting better.
If you were not practicing law, what would your dream job be? Sports Agent for all the great Razorbacks
Caroline W. Kelley
Chair-Elect
Kelley Law Firm, Rogers
Hometown: Rogers, AR
Current town: Rogers, AR
Where did you graduate from college and law school? University of Arkansas School of Law
Where do you currently work: Kelley Law Firm
What is your favorite legal movie or show? Legally Blonde and Ally McBeal.
What advice would you give to a first-year attorney? You do not know as much about the practice of law as you think you do or should. Learn from those with more experience.
If you were not practicing law, what would your dream job be? Dentist.
Frank LaPorte-Jenner
Secretary
Pulaski County Attorney’s Office, Little Rock
Hometown: Fayetteville, AR
Current town: Little Rock, AR
Where did you graduate from college and law school? Graduate from College: University of Arkansas, Law School: UA Little Rock Bowen School of Law
Where do you currently work: Pulaski County Attorney’s Office
What is your favorite legal movie or show? My Cousin Vinny
What advice would you give to a first-year attorney? Be curious and always be able to cite to everything you write
If you were not practicing law, what would your dream job be? Chef for my own food truck
Celina J. Banwarth
District A Rep.
Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, PLLC, Bentonville
Hometown: Mena, Arkansas
Current town: Bentonville, Arkansas
Where did you graduate from college and law school? University of Arkansas – Fayetteville; University of Arkansas School of Law
Where do you currently work: Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, PLLC
What is your favorite quote? “It’s easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission.” –Rear Admiral Grace Hopper
Was there an event or class that made you want to go to law school? Watching Elle Woods exonerate Brooke Windham.
If you were not practicing law, what would your dream job be? Cake decorator or professional fitness class participant.
Kelsey Boggan
District A Rep.
Leslie Copeland Law, Fayetteville
Hometown: Searcy, AR
Current town: Fayetteville, AR
Where did you graduate from college and law school? UCA for undergraduate, U of A for Law School
Where do you currently work: Leslie Copeland Law
What advice would you give to a first-year attorney? Establish boundaries and take care of yourself so that you can help others more effectively!
Was there an event or class that made you want to go to law school? Constitutional Law in undergrad
If you were not practicing law, what would your dream job be? Something with a lot of travel and time outside.
Samuel W. Mason
District A Rep.
Bailey & Oliver Law Firm, Rogers
Hometown: Calico Rock, Arkansas
Current town: Northwest Arkansas area
Where did you graduate from college and law school? I graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville with a degree in political science and then graduated law school from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock-William H. Bowen School of Law
Where do you currently work: I work at Bailey & Oliver Law Firm in Rogers, AR
What is your favorite quote? “Attitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice. Optimism is a choice. Kindness is a choice. Giving is a choice. Respect is a choice. Whatever choice you make makes you. Choose wisely.” -Roy T. Bennett
What is your favorite legal movie or show? My Cousin Vinny or The Andy Griffith Show
What advice would you give to a first-year attorney? Don’t let your doubts, worries, or failures stop you. Everyone doubts themselves, worries, and fails. Those who learn from the doubts, worries, and failures, and move forward, are the ones who rise to the top. Also, while pursuing success, don’t lose sight of yourself, your compassion for others, and the relationships with your friends and family members.
Was there an event or class that made you want to go to law school? Growing up, I always tried to reason my way out of whatever trouble I found myself in, so my family consistently pushed me toward law school. I took their advice and tried it out. Turns out I made the correct decision.
If you were not practicing law, what would your dream job be? Not sure if this qualifies as a legitimate “job”, but I’ve always wanted to a be a professional retiree so that I could do whatever I wanted to do whenever I wanted to do it.
Justin W. Harper
District B Rep.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the Sixth Judicial District, Little Rock
Hometown: Benton, Arkansas
Current town: Little Rock, Arkansas
Where did you graduate from college and law school? University of Central Arkansas and University of Arkansas – Little Rock, Bowen School of Law
Where do you currently work: Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the Sixth Judicial District
What is your favorite quote? “I suspect that God's plan, whatever it is, works on a scale too large to admit our mortal tribulations; that in a single lifetime, accidents and happenstance determine more than we care to admit; and that the best we can do is to try to align ourselves with what we feel is right and construct some meaning out of our confusion, and with grace and nerve play at each moment the hand that we're dealt.” –Barack Obama, A Promised Land
What is your favorite legal movie or show? A Time to Kill is one of the best legal books or movies. I enjoyed the newest Lincoln Lawyer show on Netflix. It’s not technically a legal show, but I’ve binged The West Wing more times than I’d like to admit.
Zachary R. Trail
District B Rep.
Wright, Lindsey & Jennings LLP, Little Rock
Hometown: Wynne, Arkansas
Current town: Little Rock, Arkansas
Where did you graduate from college and law school? University of Arkansas and University of Arkansas School of Law
Where do you currently work: Wright, Lindsey & Jennings LLP
What is your favorite legal movie or show? A Time to Kill
What advice would you give to a first-year attorney? Don’t be afraid to have a diverse practice. There are many ways to practice law.
Wesley B. Watts
District B Rep.
Branch, Thompson, Warmath, Dale & Butler, P.A., Paragould
Hometown: Jonesboro, AR
Current town: Paragould, AR
Where did you graduate from college and law school? College: Arkansas State University, Law School: University of Arkansas
Where do you currently work: Branch, Thompson, Warmath, Dale & Butler, P.A.
What is your favorite legal movie or show? My Cousin Vinny
What advice would you give to a first-year attorney? Focus hard on creating good habits, because they will follow you for the rest of your career.
If you were not practicing law, what would your dream job be? Sports Agent.
William T. Harris
District C Rep
Heaton & Harris LLP, Hot Springs
Hometown: Hot Springs, AR
Current town: Hot Springs, AR
Where did you graduate from college and law school? College: University of Arkansas, Law School: University of Arkansas
Where do you currently work: Heaton & Harris LLP
What is your favorite quote? “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” -Babe Ruth
What is your favorite legal movie or show? The Lincoln Lawyer (show and movie)
If you were not practicing law, what would your dream job be? The answer is two-fold: An Athletic Director at a Division I University or a Front-Office Executive for a MLB Team
Ledley S. Jennings
District C Rep
Pinnacle Legacy Law, Benton
Hometown: Magnolia, AR
Current town: Benton, AR
Where did you graduate from college and law school? Bachelors – Southern Arkansas University, MBA – University of Arkansas Little Rock, JD – William H. Bowen School of Law
Where do you currently work: Pinnacle Legacy Law
What is your favorite quote? “Can’t Never Could” – my dad & “Rejoice in hope, patient in tribulation, constant in prayer” –Romans 12:12
What is your favorite legal movie or show? Suits
What advice would you give to a first-year attorney? Find a mentor. Every area of law is so specific and different. It is important to have someone show you the ropes and act as a guide as you learn your practice area. They don’t teach a lot of the everyday knowledge you need in law school. I think it is important in the legal profession, as a whole, that we adopt the mentorship model. Also, don’t be afraid of a commission-based position right out of the gate.
Was there an event or class that made you want to go to law school? Other than the TV show Suits? I realized through my business classes the value that a law degree could have within any profession, even if it didn’t mean practicing law. Legal knowledge is pivotal for anyone that runs a business and manages people.
If you were not practicing law, what would your dream job be? Own and captain a catamaran in the Caribbean providing snorkel and sunset tours.
Robert T. Riley
District C Rep
Womack Phelps Puryear Mayfield & McNeil, P.A., Jonesboro
Hometown: Marion, Arkansas
Current town: Jonesboro, Arkansas
Where did you graduate from college and law school? West Memphis Christian High School, University of Mississippi (undergrad), University of Arkansas (law)
Where do you currently work: Womack Phelps Puryear Mayfield & McNeil, P.A. (Womack Phelps for short)
What is your favorite app and why? Audible? I love to read, I always have. Audible makes it easier now as I can listen to audiobooks all the time.
Where do you see the future of the legal profession in five years? Hopefully in a good spot, otherwise we’ll all be in trouble. Joking aside, I think that the profession is going to undergo some changes coming out of the pandemic. It has certainly been a unique experience entering the practice of law during such a time period.
If you were not practicing law, what would your dream job be? A professional hunter/fisherman. Hunting and fishing are my favorite things to do and the ability to be able to do that full time, even if it did not make a lot of money, would be awesome to me.
Sara M. Gay
At-Large Rep.
Womack Phelps Puryear Mayfield & McNeil, P.A., Jonesboro
Hometown: Nashville, Arkansas
Current town: Jonesboro, Arkansas
Where did you graduate from college and law school? Henderson State University and UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law
Where do you currently work: Womack Phelps Puryear Mayfield & McNeil, P.A.
What advice would you give to a first-year attorney? Have a good work-life balance.
Was there an event or class that made you want to go to law school? When I decided I didn’t want to be a teacher and didn’t know what else to do with a degree in English…I thought I’d try out law school.
If you were not practicing law, what would your dream job be? Architect.
Dominique D. Lane
At-Large Rep.
Pulaski County Attorney’s Office, Civil Litigation, Little Rock
Hometown: Huntsville, Alabama
Current town: Little Rock, Arkansas
Where did you graduate from college and law school? Oakwood University and UALR William H. Bowen School of Law
Where do you currently work: Pulaski County Attorney’s Office, Civil Litigation
What is your favorite quote? If you are going through hell, keep going. –Winston Churchill
What is your favorite legal movie or show? A Time to Kill
What advice would you give to a first-year attorney? Don’t be too hard on yourself, that’s your supervisor’s job.
Was there an event or class that made you want to go to law school? Learning about our history and the role attorney’s played in creating a more equitable society inspired me to become lawyer.
If you were not practicing law, what would your dream job be? Travel Theatre
Lauren Spencer
At-Large Rep.
Barber Law Firm PLLC, Little Rock
Current town: Little Rock, Arkansas
Where did you graduate from college and law school? University of Arkansas at Little Rock and William H. Bowen School of Law
Where do you currently work: Barber Law Firm PLLC
What is your favorite quote? “If you’re early, you’re on time; if you’re on time, you’re late.”
What is your favorite legal movie or show? A three-way tie between The Rainmaker, A Time to Kill, and My Cousin Vinny
What advice would you give to a first-year attorney? Treat everyone with respect and courtesy - especially legal assistants, paralegals, and court personnel.