2020 News Archives – Quattlebaum, Grooms and Tull

Joey Price Published In The Arkansas Lawyer

Joseph W. Price II authored an article for the Fall 2020 issue of The Arkansas Lawyer, a publication of the Arkansas Bar Association. His article on the suicide epidemic affecting veterans of our armed forces was a companion piece to the magazine’s annual feature on all association members who have served in the military. A board member for We Are The 22 (“WAT 22”), an Arkansas nonprofit founded by Arkansas veterans focusing on direct veteran suicide intervention, Joey outlined the organization’s work with veterans in crisis and ways to support WAT 22 in the fight to end the veteran suicide epidemic in Arkansas. You can read the article here.

14 QGT Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers

Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC is pleased to announce that fourteen attorneys with our firm were recently named to the Mid-South Super Lawyers and Mid-South Rising Stars lists for 2020 by Super Lawyers. Vincent O. Chadick, E. B. (Chip) Chiles IV, Joseph R. Falasco, Timothy W. Grooms, Michael B. Heister, J. Cliff McKinney II, Steven W. Quattlebaum, Michael N. Shannon, Geoffrey B. Treece, John E. Tull III, David B. Vandergriff, and Thomas G. Williams were recognized as Mid-South Super Lawyers. Mr. Quattlebaum, Mr. Grooms, Mr. Tull and Mr. Chiles received some of the highest point totals in the Arkansas nomination, research, and blue ribbon review process and are included in the list of the Top 50 Arkansas Super Lawyers for 2020. Scott M. Lar and R. Ryan Younger were named Mid-South Rising Stars. Fewer than five percent (5%) of all lawyers in Arkansas are selected as Super Lawyers and no more than two and one half percent (2.5%) of lawyers in Arkansas are named to the Rising Stars list. Click here to read more about these rankings.

Benchmark Litigation Recognizes QGT And Attorneys

The firm was recently recognized in the 2021 edition of Benchmark Litigation as one of only four “highly recommended firms” for litigation in Arkansas. Steven W. Quattlebaum, John E. Tull III, E. B. (Chip) Chiles IV, and Michael N. Shannon were highlighted as Litigation Stars and Brandon B. Cate, Joseph R. Falasco, R. Ryan Younger, and Vincent O. Chadick were named Future Stars. Benchmark also recognized firms and attorneys in Labor & Employment for 2021 and Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC was highlighted as one of only five “recommended firms” in Arkansas, with E. B. (Chip) Chiles IV, Brandon B. Cate, Joseph R. Falasco, Sarah Keith-Bolden, and Joseph W. Price II named Labor & Employment Stars – South. More information about the Benchmark Litigation rankings can be found on our Awards page.

Scott Lar Presenting At Annual Arkansas Federal Tax Institute

Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull attorney Scott M. Lar will be featured during the upcoming 59th Annual Arkansas Federal Tax Institute being held virtually December 3-4, 2020. Scott’s presentation, Depreciation: Changes You Need to Know; Like-Kind Exchange and QOZ Updates, is scheduled for Thursday, December 3. See the full event brochure and register here. A member of the firm, Scott maintains a transactional and taxation practice in the law firm’s Northwest Arkansas office and is a frequent speaker on Qualified Opportunity Zones. He can be reached at slar@QGTLAW.com or 479-444-5213.

QGT Ranked in 2021 “Best Law Firms”

U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers®, for the tenth consecutive year, have announced the “Best Law Firms” rankings. Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC has been ranked in the 2021 U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” list regionally in 21 practice areas. Firms included in the 2021 “Best Law Firms” list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise. Ranked firms, presented in tiers, are listed on a national and/or metropolitan scale. Receiving a tier designation reflects the high level of respect a firm has earned among other leading lawyers and clients in the same communities and the same practice areas for their abilities, their professionalism, and their integrity. Following are the rankings received by the firm: Metropolitan Rankings – Little RockAppellate Practice (Tier 1)Banking and Finance Law (Tier 1)Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law (Tier 1)Bet-the-Company Litigation (Tier 1)Commercial Litigation (Tier 1)Eminent Domain & Condemnation Law (Tier 2)Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (Tier 3)First Amendment Law (Tier 1)Insurance Law (Tier 2)Land Use & Zoning Law (Tier 1)Litigation – Banking & Finance (Tier 1)Litigation – Bankruptcy (Tier 2)Litigation – First Amendment (Tier 1)Litigation – Labor & Employment (Tier 1)Litigation – Real Estate (Tier 1)Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants (Tier 1)Media Law (Tier 1)Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants (Tier 1)Product Liability Litigation – Defendants (Tier 1)Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs (Tier 1)Real Estate Law (Tier 1) Metropolitan Rankings – FayettevilleCommercial Litigation (Tier 1)

Cliff McKinney Recognized As Influential Leader In Arkansas

QGT Managing Member J. Cliff McKinney II has been named to the 2020 edition of the Arkansas 250, a list of influencers making an impact in a variety of professional and nonprofit endeavors at the local, regional and state levels. Research for the list involved comparing notes with executives and leaders from every region and each major industry category in Arkansas, reviewing board of directors lists of publicly traded companies, universities and nonprofit organizations, and poring over reports by various media outlets to identify the business and political stories that mattered most over the past year. The final list, published by Arkansas Business, is the top 250 people who shape the way we live, work, learn and do business in Arkansas. Cliff is a Managing Member of the law firm and concentrates his practice on real estate, land use and business transactions.

Tim Grooms and Robbi Rosenbaum Published in The Arkansas Banker

An article by Timothy W. Grooms and Robbi R. Rosenbaum, “Force Majeure in Arkansas: Contractual Provisions and the COVID-19 Pandedmic”, appears in the Fall 2020 issue of The Arkansas Banker, the official publication of the Arkansas Bankers Association. The article provides information on the rights and responsibilities parties should understand in considering how to respond to the COVID-19 situation. Please click here to read the article. Timothy W. Grooms is a founding member of Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC where he focuses his practice on real estate, banking and commercial lending transactions. Mr. Grooms can be reached at tgrooms@QGTLAW.com or 501-379-1713. Robbi Riggs Rosenbaum is an associate at the law firm and concentrates her practice on real estate, taxation, estate planning and entity formation. Ms. Rosenbaum can be reached at rrosenbaum@QGTLAW.com or 501-379-1738. Serving all banks in Arkansas since 1891, Arkansas Bankers Association (ABA) is the advocate for Arkansas banks of all sizes and charter types before governmental bodies and the public. ABA delivers superior industry-specific information and education for bankers, along with high-quality products and services. ABA focuses on creating a stronger economy and helping Arkansans realize dreams by building better banks. First appearing in 1917, The Arkansas Banker provides the most complete coverage of banking in Arkansas.

Tom Wyatt Graduates From Leadership Greater Little Rock Program

QGT attorney Thomas H. Wyatt has successfully completed the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce’s annual leadership program. The 50 members of Leadership Greater Little Rock Class XXXV were honored at a virtual graduation ceremony on October 9. Established in 1985, Leadership Greater Little Rock seeks to develop community leaders by training and informing participants on a wide array of local public policy issues and concerns. In-depth training sessions focus on these issues, exploring their background, origin and present-day status. The program covers a full slate of topics, including government, the area’s economy, education, social services and much more. The sessions combine lectures, tours, dialogue and interaction between speakers and participants. Designed to develop a network of skilled leaders, the program informs, educates and trains participants on a wide variety of public issues. A member of the firm, Mr. Wyatt is located the Little Rock office and concentrates his practice on commercial and property litigation.

Tom Wyatt Presenting at DRI Young Lawyers Virtual Seminar

Thomas H. Wyatt will be a featured speaker for DRI Young Lawyers Virtual Seminar to be held October 8-9, 2020. Tom’s presentation, Trial Roles: How to Excel From Third Chair to Chair Chair, will be on Friday, October 9. Click here to register. A member of the firm, Mr. Wyatt is located the Little Rock office and concentrates his practice on commercial and property litigation. He is a member of the DRI Young Lawyers Steering Committee, currently serving as co-vice chair of the Membership Subcommittee. For more than fifty years, DRI has been the voice of the defense bar, advocating for 22,000 defense attorneys, commercial trial attorneys, and corporate counsel and defending the integrity of the civil judiciary. A thought leader, DRI provides world-class legal education, deep expertise for policy-makers, legal resources, and networking opportunities to facilitate career and law firm growth.

Steve Quattlebaum Elected 2021 National Vice President of ABOTA

We are thrilled to announce that Steven W. Quattlebaum has been elected to the position of National Vice President of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) beginning in 2021. Elected by the general membership, Steve will become National President of ABOTA in 2023. Admitted to ABOTA in 1995, Steve’s service to the organization includes National Secretary (two terms), Executive Committee Member (three terms), National Board Representative since 2005, and chair or member on a number of committees and task forces, including Chair of the COVID-19 Task Force and Chair and Faculty of ABOTA National Trial College since 2012. He also served as the President of the Arkansas Chapter of ABOTA (2003-2004). Founded in 1958, ABOTA is an invitation-only national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the civil jury trial right provided by the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Membership consists of more than 7,600 lawyers – equally balanced between plaintiff and defense – and judges in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. A founding member of Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC, Mr. Quattlebaum’s primary areas of practice are complex business, toxic tort, and products liability litigation.

Firm Welcomes Andrew Dixon

Andrew S. Dixon has returned to Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull as a litigation associate in our Northwest Arkansas office after serving as a law clerk to the Honorable Robert T. Dawson, United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas. Andrew also assisted Judge Dawson with his work on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, where Judge Dawson sat by designation. Andrew originally joined the law firm upon his completion of law school in 2019, then took a one-year sabbatical from the firm to accept this prestigious position with Judge Dawson. Andrew received his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Arkansas School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arkansas, where he graduated with high honors and became a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Scott Lar Presenting At USLAW Virtual Retreat

Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC attorney Scott M. Lar will be featured during the upcoming Fall 2020 USLAW Network Worldwide Virtual Retreat: 2021 & Beyond. Created for general counsel, in-house counsel, heads and managers of claims and risk, C-suite executives and other legal decision makers, this 10-day complimentary program (September 30 – October 9, 2020) has been designed to look ahead and address significant business, legal and economic issues while projecting what the future will look like in the next one to three years. On Friday, October 9, Scott will provide his perspective on what 2021 and beyond may look like in the area of tax law. See the full event brochure and register here. A member of the firm, Scott maintains a transactional and taxation practice in the law firm’s Northwest Arkansas office. He can be reached at slar@QGTLAW.com or 479-444-5213. USLAW NETWORK is an invitation-only international organization composed of more than 60 independent, full practice firms with roots in civil litigation, including more than 6,000 attorneys across the U.S., Canada, Latin America and Asia, and with affiliations with TELFA in Europe. Member firms undergo a rigorous review process to insure outstanding quality of lawyers throughout the USLAW NETWORK. USLAW firms are experienced in commercial and business law, employment and labor law, litigation and other business-related areas of law. All firms have substantial trial experience. USLAW member firms provide legal representation to major corporations, insurance companies, and large and small businesses alike.

QGT Contributes to USLAW General Liability COVID-19 Quick Guide

QGT Managing Member John E. Tull III provided the Arkansas chapter of the USLAW NETWORK General Liability COVID-19 Quick Guide, a multi-state resource that addresses relevant state-specific general liability considerations in conjunction with the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. This guide includes information on statute of limitations, negligence, standard of care, causation, premises liability, violation of statute/executive orders as evidence of negligence, contributory negligence, assumption of the risk, statutory cap on non-economic damages, death cases, and punitive damages, plus best practices for avoiding/reducing future liability for COVID-19 claims. You can read the Arkansas chapter here. Written by USLAW NETWORK member attorneys, the compendium takes advantage of local knowledge and experience in each of the jurisdictions in which USLAW NETWORK firms practice. You may find the entire compendium here. A founding member of Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC, Mr. Tull’s primary areas of practice are complex commercial litigation, products liability litigation and newspaper law. USLAW NETWORK is an invitation-only international organization composed of more than 60 independent, full practice firms with roots in civil litigation, including more than 6,000 attorneys across the U.S., Canada, Latin America and Asia, and with affiliations with TELFA in Europe. Member firms undergo a rigorous review process to insure outstanding quality of lawyers throughout the USLAW NETWORK. USLAW firms are experienced in commercial and business law, employment and labor law, litigation and other business-related areas of law. All firms have substantial trial experience. USLAW member firms provide legal representation to major corporations, insurance companies, and large and small businesses alike.

Firm Welcomes Four New Associates

Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC is pleased to welcome four new associates to the law firm’s Little Rock office: Bria Blair Guthridge, Glenn V. Larkin, E. Jonathan Mader and Robbi Riggs Rosenbaum. Ms. Guthridge earned her J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law, where she served as President of the American Constitution Society and was a member of the Texas Journal on Civil Liberties and Civil Rights. She received a B.A. in Sociology and Anthropology, summa cum laude, from Hendrix College. Ms. Guthridge concentrates her practice on litigation. Mr. Larkin received his J.D., summa cum laude, from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, where he was Articles Editor of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Law Review and, as the top-ranked student in his law school class, received twelve top paper awards. He obtained a B.A. in History from the University of South Carolina-Upstate. Mr. Larkin’s practice focuses on civil litigation. Mr. Mader obtained his J.D., summa cum laude, from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, where he served as Associate Editor of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Law Review. He received a B.A. in Philosophy & Letters from the University of Dallas. Mr. Mader will focus his practice on litigation. Ms. Rosenbaum graduated summa cum laude from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, where she received a full-tuition academic scholarship and earned nine top papers. A Certified Public Accountant, she obtained a B.S. in Accounting and Political Science, summa cum laude, from Lyon College and an M.A. in Accounting, summa cum laude, from Hendrix College. She will focus her transactional practice primarily on real estate, taxation and tax planning, entity formation and estate planning.

Steve Quattlebaum Authors Article on Jury Trials During COVID-19 For The Arkansas Lawyer

Earlier this summer, The American Board of Trial Advocates (“ABOTA”) COVID-19 Task Force published a comprehensive guide for conducting civil jury trials during the COVID-19 pandemic. The white paper, Guidance for Conducting Civil Jury Trials During the COVID-19 Pandemic, addresses the process of reopening courts and the many issues faced by the courts, the legal community, jurors and the public. Steven W. Quattlebaum, ABOTA COVID-19 Task Force Chair and a Managing Member of Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC, authored an article for the latest issue of The Arkansas Lawyer providing a summary of the recommendations contained in the white paper and some points discussed during a recent ABOTA webinar on the topic. You can read Steve’s article here. Steve Quattlebaum is a founding member of Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC and his primary areas of practice are complex business, toxic tort, and products liability litigation. The Arkansas Lawyer is published quarterly by the Arkansas Bar Association.

Ann Carol Farmer and Sarah Keith-Bolden Published In Arkansas Community Banker

QGT attorneys Ann Carol Farmer and Sarah Keith-Bolden have articles appearing in the Summer 2020 issue of The Arkansas Community Banker, the official publication of the Arkansas Community Bankers Association. Sarah’s article, COVID-19 and Federal Antidiscrimination Laws, provides some guidelines for banks and other employers faced with decisions about how to respond when an employee has symptoms of, tests positive for, or is exposed to COVID-19. Ann Carol’s article, Arkansas Supreme Court Pierces Corporate Veil, summarizes an Arkansas Supreme Court ruling in a recent intercreditor dispute finding that “first in time” still means “first in right”, even with different corporate forms. Both of these articles can be found on our Publications page. Sarah Keith-Bolden is a member at Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC where her practice focuses on commercial litigation and appeals. Ms. Keith-Bolden can be reached at sbolden@QGTLAW.com or 501-379-1789. Ann Carol Farmer is an Associate Attorney at Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC where she concentrates her practice on real estate and corporate transactions. She can be reached at afarmer@QGTLAW.com or 479-444-5211. The Arkansas Community Bankers Association is committed to preserving and promoting community banks, their franchise values and the communities they serve.

Joey Price Appointed to We Are The 22 Board

Joseph W. Price II has been appointed to the board of directors for We Are The 22, a non-profit focused on direct veteran suicide intervention. We Are The 22 teams are on standby 24 hours a day to respond in person to Arkansas veterans in suicidal crisis, provide peer support and get them the help and support they need. Founded in 2017, We Are The 22 has responded to more than 200 Arkansas veterans in crisis. Mr. Price is a member of the firm and focuses his practice on civil litigation.

Steve Quattlebaum Presenting At PLAC COVID-19 Webinar

Steven W. Quattlebaum will be one of the presenters at the PLAC COVID-19 Webinar – Session 3 on August 27, 2020. This virtual presentation by PLAC leaders will discuss COVID-19 challenges facing in house and outside law practices, including: How the pandemic has affected the operation and functioning of law practice How organizations effectively develop and enforce COVID-19 procedures, protocols and work rules How law practices meet challenges relating to remote and in-office work Panelists will talk about what reopening looks like in the real world, and what is and is not working. Presenters will explore how the pandemic has and will continue to change law offices, real estate requirements and office designs, as well as how law practices can avoid liability and minimize risks of COVID-19 related employment claims. This program will also include a discussion of how courts balance the need and requirements of trials with the restrictions necessitated by the pandemic. PLAC members can register for this virtual seminar here. A founding member of Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC, Steve’s primary areas of practice are complex business, toxic tort, and products liability litigation. PLAC (formerly the Product Liability Advisory Council) is a not-for-profit association of product manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and select regulatory, litigation and appellate professionals who work to shape the common law of product liability and complex regulation, provide guidance on changing regulations, and strategically help corporations manage risk throughout the entire product lifecycle. PLAC is a unique resource for companies who must defend their products’ integrity and their companies’ reputation.

24 QGT Lawyers Recognized By Best Lawyers®

Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC is pleased to announce that 18 lawyers have been included in the 2021 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers has published their list for over three decades, earning the respect of the profession, the media, and the public as the most reliable, unbiased source of legal referrals. Lawyers on The Best Lawyers in America list are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They are reviewed by their peers on the basis of professional expertise and undergo an authentication process to make sure they are in current practice and in good standing. Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC would like to congratulate the following lawyers named to the 2021 The Best Lawyers in America list: Brandon B. Cate – Commercial Litigation, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Litigation – ERISA, and Litigation-Labor and Employment Vincent O. Chadick – Agriculture Law and Commercial Litigation E. B. (Chip) Chiles IV – Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Litigation – ERISA, Litigation – Labor and Employment, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants Grant M. Cox – Banking and Finance Law and Commercial Transactions/UCC Law Joseph R. Falasco – Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, and Litigation – Real Estate Timothy W. Grooms – Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation – Real Estate, and Real Estate Law Michael B. Heister – Appellate Practice Jeb. H. Joyce – Banking and Finance Law and Real Estate Law Sarah Keith-Bolden – Commercial Litigation J. Cliff McKinney II – Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law Joseph W. Price II – Commercial Litigation Steven W. Quattlebaum – Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants Michael N. Shannon – Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs Geoffrey B. Treece – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation – Bankruptcy John E. Tull III – Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, First Amendment Law, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – First Amendment, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants, Media Law, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs David B. Vandergriff – Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, and Litigation – Real Estate Thomas G. Williams – Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants R. Ryan Younger – Commercial Litigation Three of our attorneys were also recognized as a 2021 “Lawyer of the Year” for the Little Rock area: Steve Quattlebaum – Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions-Defendants; John Tull – Bet-the-Company Litigation; and David Vandergriff – Litigation-Real Estate. Only a single lawyer in each practice area and designated metropolitan area is honored as the “Lawyer of the Year,” making this accolade particularly significant. These lawyers are selected based on particularly impressive voting averages received during the peer review assessments. Receiving this designation reflects the high level of respect a lawyer has earned among other leading lawyers in the same communities and the same practice areas for their abilities, their professionalism, and their integrity. Six lawyers from QGT have been included in the 2021 Edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, which recognizes associates and other lawyers who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States. Lawyers recognized in this inaugural edition of Best Lawyers®: Ones to Watch are divided by geographic region and practice areas, reviewed by their peers on the basis of professional expertise and undergo an authentication process to make sure they are in current practice and in good standing. Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC would like to congratulate the following lawyers recognized in the 2021 Edition of Best Lawyers®: Ones to Watch: Philip A. Elmore – Commercial Litigation R. Seth Hampton – Banking and Finance Law, Environmental Law, and Real Estate Law Christoph Keller – Commercial Litigation C. Ryan O’Quinn – Trusts and Estates Mary-Tipton Thalheimer – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law Thomas H. Wyatt – Commercial Litigation A complete list of these and other rankings can be found on our Awards page.

Sarah Keith-Bolden Authors Guide For Employers Navigating COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised many questions for employers, who are suddenly faced with the prospect of taking unprecedented steps to protect employees from being exposed to the virus. Some of these steps—including conducting health checks on employees, excluding sick employees from the workplace, and taking steps to protect employees who are at higher risk of severe illness—implicate the Americans with Disabilities Act and other federal antidiscrimination laws enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. To you assist you in responding to the pandemic without violating federal antidiscrimination laws, Sarah-Keith Bolden has assembled COVID-19 In The Workplace: An Employer’s Guide to Responding To The Pandemic Without Violating Federal Antidiscrimination Laws. We hope this guide will be a useful tool in navigating through these new and challenging times. If you have any questions concerning this guide, please reach out to Sarah at sbolden@QGTLAW.com or 501-379-1789. Sarah Keith-Bolden is a member at Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC where her practice focuses on commercial litigation and appeals.

Joey Price and Ryan Younger Named to Benchmark’s 40 & Under Hot List

Joseph W. Price II and R. Ryan Younger have been named to the Benchmark Litigation 40 & Under Hot List for 2020. This is the fifth time both attorneys have received this honor. Those named to this exclusive list have proven their eligibility as individuals at the partner level of their respective firms and are age 40 or younger. These young, ambitious and accomplished lawyers frequently handle major cases – some of which are high-stakes or precedent-setting. They are able to adapt to rapidly changing times in addition to juggling their flourishing careers and personal lives, all while staying on top of their industry. These practitioners are among the top young talent in their respective litigation communities in the United States and Canada. Mr. Price is a Member of the firm and focuses his practice on civil litigation. Mr. Younger is also a Member of the firm and concentrates his practice on business litigation, class actions and appeals. Please visit our Awards page to learn more about this and other honors received by our attorneys and firm.

Steve Quattlebaum Co-Chairing Jury Trials During Pandemics Webinar

QGT Managing Member Steven W. Quattlebaum is co-chairing Jury Trials In The Age of Pandemics, a free webinar hosted by the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) on July 21, 2020. Led by experts in law, government and medical science, the program will address how to protect and conduct jury trials during COVID-19. Steve will provide a report from the ABOTA COVID-19 Task Force and serve as moderator for a panel discussion, Understanding the Science. Go here to learn more and register. A founding member of Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC, Steve’s primary areas of practice are complex business, toxic tort, and products liability litigation. Steve is an ABOTA National Board Representative and chaired the ABOTA COVID-19 Task Force, which created the white paper, Guidance for Conducting Civil Jury Trials During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Founded in 1958, ABOTA is a national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the civil jury trial right provided by the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Membership is by invitation only and consists of more than 7,600 lawyers – equally balanced between plaintiff and defense – and judges spread among 96 chapters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Seth Hampton Named To AMP’S Future 50 List

QGT Member Seth Hampton has been named to the inaugural Future 50, a list of the state’s business and political leaders poised to shape the future. Described as “future drivers of Arkansas’ economic, political and even cultural engines,” the list was determined through nominations submitted by readers of Arkansas Money & Politics. Read more about this list here.

Tom Wyatt Presenting At Remote Advocacy Webinar

Thomas H. Wyatt will be a speaker for “Remote Advocacy”, a webinar presented by the DRI Young Lawyers Committee. The June 22, 2020, program will address best practices in remote advocacy, including appearances at depositions, hearings and trials. Technologies that can improve a presentation during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond will be identified, along with pitfalls to avoid in this remote world. Click here to register. A member of the firm, Mr. Wyatt is located the Little Rock office and concentrates his practice on commercial and property litigation. He is a member of the DRI Young Lawyers Steering Committee, currently serving as co-vice chair of the Membership Subcommittee. For more than fifty years, DRI has been the voice of the defense bar, advocating for 22,000 defense attorneys, commercial trial attorneys, and corporate counsel and defending the integrity of the civil judiciary. A thought leader, DRI provides world-class legal education, deep expertise for policy-makers, legal resources, and networking opportunities to facilitate career and law firm growth.

Cliff McKinney Receives Golden Gavel Award From Arkansas Bar Association

Managing Member J. Cliff McKinney II received a Golden Gavel Award from the Arkansas Bar Association for his work as Chair of the Legal Hall of Fame Task Force. The virtual award ceremony was held on June 11, 2020, as part of the 122nd Arkansas Bar Association Annual Meeting Virtual Conference. Cliff has been an active supporter of the Arkansas Bar Association and his involvement through the years includes chairing the Real Estate Law section, service on the Board of Governors and House of Delegates, chairing the 2011 Annual Meeting and the 2015 Mid-Year Meeting, and numerous CLE presentations. Many honors have been bestowed upon Cliff for his hard work and dedication to the association, including the Presidential Award of Excellence in 2018. Cliff is a Managing Member of the law firm and concentrates his practice on real estate, land use and business transactions.

QGT Contributes To Force Majeure Law Compendium

QGT Managing Member John E. Tull III and Robbi R. Rosenbaum provided the Arkansas chapter of the USLAW NETWORK Force Majeure Law Compendium (During COVID-19 Pandemic). The compendium is a multi-state resource that addresses relevant considerations with respect to invoking “force majeure” clauses in contracts in light of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. You can read the Arkansas chapter here. Written by USLAW NETWORK member attorneys, the 45-state compendium takes advantage of local knowledge and experience in each of the jurisdictions in which USLAW NETWORK firms practice. You may find the entire compendium here. A founding member of Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC, Mr. Tull’s primary areas of practice are complex commercial litigation, products liability litigation and newspaper law. Robbi Riggs Rosenbaum, a Spring 2020 graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Bowen School of Law and a Certified Public Accountant, is joining the law firm as an associate and will concentrate her practice on real estate and commercial transactions. USLAW NETWORK is an invitation-only international organization composed of more than 60 independent, full practice firms with roots in civil litigation, including more than 6,000 attorneys across the U.S., Canada, Latin America and Asia, and with affiliations with TELFA in Europe. Member firms undergo a rigorous review process to insure outstanding quality of lawyers throughout the USLAW NETWORK. USLAW firms are experienced in commercial and business law, employment and labor law, litigation and other business-related areas of law. All firms have substantial trial experience. USLAW member firms provide legal representation to major corporations, insurance companies, and large and small businesses alike.

ABOTA COVID-19 Task Force Releases Guide For Conducting Jury Trials During Pandemic

The American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) COVID-19 Task Force has published a comprehensive guide to conducting civil jury trials during the COVID-19 pandemic. The white paper, Guidance for Conducting Civil Jury Trials During the COVID-19 Pandemic, is a legal resource to address the process of reopening courts and the many issues faced by the courts, the legal community, jurors and the public. “This paper should be considered a tool, not a mandate, ” said Steven W. Quattlebaum, ABOTA COVID-19 Task Force Chair and a Managing Member of Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC. “Our primary concern was the administration of civil trials while addressing concerns for COVID-19. We hope this serves as a resource to reopen the courts and facilitate access to justice for all.” Mr. Quattlebaum said the white paper will provide judges with a resource that addresses the multiple and complex issues courts face as civil jury trials are contemplated during this epidemic. Founded in 1958, ABOTA is an invitation-only national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the civil jury trial right provided by the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Membership consists of more than 7,600 lawyers – equally balanced between plaintiff and defense – and judges in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. A founding member of Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC, Mr. Quattlebaum’s primary areas of practice are complex business, toxic tort, and products liability litigation.

Chip Chiles Elected To Arkansas Bar Foundation Board of Directors

E. B. (Chip) Chiles IV has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Bar Foundation for a three-year term. The eighteen (18) member board is composed of Fellows elected by the Foundation Membership from each of three state bar districts plus the Arkansas Bar Association President, the Immediate Past President of the Foundation and the Chair of the Trust Committee. The Arkansas Bar Foundation was established in 1958 to support efforts at improving the administration of justice. The mission of the Arkansas Bar Foundation is to promote educational, literary, scientific and charitable purposes. Each year, the Foundation awards approximately 48 endowed law school scholarships to students at the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville and the UALR Bowen School of Law in Little Rock. Mr. Chiles is a Managing Member of the law firm and his practice focuses on business-related dispute resolution, including trial and appellate practice in state and federal courts.

QGT Attorneys Provide Arkansas Chapter For Real Estate Guide

Timothy W. Grooms, J. Cliff McKinney II, Jeb H. Joyce and Scott M. Lar authored the Arkansas chapter for the 2020 Chambers USA Regional Real Estate Guide, a state-by-state guide on the real estate sector. This is the third year our firm has contributed to the guide, which provides expert legal commentary on the key issues for businesses involved in the real estate sector, including finance, planning, commercial leases, construction, tax and the impact of COVID-19. You can read the Arkansas chapter by clicking here. Chambers Global Practice Guides provide expert legal commentary on a number of main practice areas in key jurisdictions around the world. For every guide, Chambers selects contributors who are ranked in the relevant Chambers Guides as the best in their field. In the Real Estate section of the 2020 edition of Chambers USA’s Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC received the highest ranking possible for law firms in Arkansas and attorneys Grooms, McKinney and Joyce received individual recognition. More information on these rankings can be found on our Awards page.

Steve Quattlebaum Published In The Arkansas Lawyer

Steven W. Quattlebaum has written an article about finding new pathways to success during a crisis. “A Guitar Lesson for Lawyers” appears in the Spring 2020 issue of The Arkansas Lawyer and can be read here. A founding member of Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC, Steve’s primary areas of practice are complex business, toxic tort, and products liability litigation.

Tim Grooms And Robbi Rosenbaum Author Force Majeure Article For Arkansas Business

An article by Timothy W. Grooms and Robbi R. Rosenbaum, “Force Majeure in Arkansas”, appears in the May 25, 2020, edition of Arkansas Business. The article provides information on the rights and responsibilities parties should understand in considering how to respond to the COVID-19 situation. Please click here to read the article. Timothy W. Grooms is a founding member of Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC where he focuses his practice on real estate, banking and commercial lending transactions. Robbi Riggs Rosenbaum, a Spring 2020 graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Bowen School of Law and a Certified Public Accountant, is joining the law firm as an associate and will concentrate her practice on real estate and commercial transactions.

Steve Quattlebaum Chairing COVID-19 Task Force

Steven W. Quattlebaum has been chosen to chair the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) COVID-19 Task Force, which will address issues related to the problems impacting the legal profession, the judicial system, and the public. The assembled team consists of ABOTA National Board members representing a balance of plaintiff and defense members from a broad scope of the country. The task force will consider items that will be helpful to courts and lawyers, witnesses and jurors. With courthouses around the country experiencing closures, stays, and a deferral of trials, ABOTA aims to help guide the administration of civil trials while addressing concerns for COVID-19. Another goal of the task force is to provide judges with a resource addressing the issues involved, including options for conducting hearings and non-jury trials, technology that allows for jury trials with jurors participating remotely, and constitutional issues related to the Seventh Amendment. Founded in 1958, ABOTA is a national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the civil jury trial right provided by the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Membership is by invitation only and consists of more than 7,600 lawyers – equally balanced between plaintiff and defense – and judges spread among 96 chapters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. A founding member of Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC, Steve’s primary areas of practice are complex business, toxic tort, and products liability litigation.

QGT Attorneys And Firm Ranked In Chambers USA

The 2020 publication of Chambers USA’s Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business has been released and Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC, received the highest ranking possible in the areas of General Commercial Litigation and Real Estate for law firms in Arkansas and was also recognized for its Corporate/Commercial practice. Steven W. Quattlebaum, Timothy W. Grooms, John E. Tull III, E. B. (Chip) Chiles IV, Michael N. Shannon, J. Cliff McKinney II, Joseph R. Falasco, and Jeb H. Joyce, received recognition in the publication’s rankings of individuals. Chambers USA’s Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business reviews and ranks individual lawyers and law firms by practice area in each state. Chambers guides are the culmination of thousands of in-depth interviews by the largest research team of its kind and are trusted globally to objectively rank the world’s best lawyers and law firms. To learn more about these rankings, visit our Awards page.

Steve Quattlebaum Named to 2020 Lawdragon 500

Steven W. Quattlebaum has been selected as a member of the 2020 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America, the eighth time he has received this distinction. Steve is the only attorney from Arkansas to be recognized on this illustrious list, which includes all nine justices of the Supreme Court of the United States. The annual Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America is the most elite distinction in the profession, covering the best of the best in all practice areas. Selection to this elite group comes through a group of veteran legal journalists who review thousands of submissions of outstanding lawyers from all regions and practice areas of the American legal profession, including private attorneys, government and other public interest attorneys, judges, and law school professors. From that group, the 500 leading lawyers are chosen by Lawdragon. Less than one-tenth of one percent of all lawyers in the United States are included as members of the Lawdragon 500. The full 2020 Lawdragon 500 guide can be found here. A founding member of Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC, Steve’s primary areas of practice are complex business, toxic tort, and products liability litigation.

Cliff McKinney Reports On National Conference of Commissioners On Uniform State Laws

J. Cliff McKinney II attended the 2019 Uniform Law Commission’s National Conference in Anchorage, Alaska, and his report on acts that were approved at the meeting appeared in the Winter 2020 issue of The Arkansas Lawyer and can be found here. Cliff was appointed to the Commission on Uniform State Laws by Governor Asa Hutchinson in 2017 and is one of three commissioners representing Arkansas. The Uniform Law Commission is responsible for the Uniform Commercial Code among many other uniform laws. Mr. McKinney is a Managing Member of the law firm and concentrates his practice on real estate, land use and business transactions.

Michael Heister Authors Article For Arkansas Environmental Federation

Michael B. Heister authored an article concerning long-term trends in environmental monitoring for Industries for the Environment, an official publication of the Arkansas Environmental Federation. Michael’s article appeared in the January-February 2020 issue and can be found here. Michael Heister is a Member of the law firm and concentrates his practice on environmental compliance and natural resources, administrative proceedings, complex business litigation and appeals.

David Vandergriff Appointed to Arkansas Pollution Control And Ecology Commission

David B. Vandergriff has been appointed to the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission by Gov. Asa Hutchinson. With guidance from the Governor, the Legislature, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and others, the Commission determines the environmental policy for the state and the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality implements those policies. The Commission is comprised of thirteen members, six representing state agencies and seven appointed by the Governor. Mr. Vandergriff’s term will expire March 29, 2021.

QGT Named Arkansas Firm Of The Year By Benchmark Litigation

Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC was named Arkansas Firm of the Year by Benchmark Litigation at the annual awards ceremony held February 27, 2020 in New York, the eighth time the firm has received this honor. The award selection is based upon peer review and research conducted by Benchmark’s research team. Benchmark exclusively covers the litigation and disputes market in North America, covering the US, Canada, Latin America and, most recently, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. The original publication, Benchmark Litigation—the definitive guide to America’s leading litigation firms and attorneys—is the only publication to focus exclusively on US litigation.

Steve Quattlebaum Presenting at DRI Toxic Tort Conference

Steven W. Quattlebaum will be a panelist for “Psychology of Blockbuster Verdicts Involving Glyphosate, Talc, and Other Substances” at the 2020 DRI Toxic Tort and Environmental Law Seminar being held February 19-21, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. The panel will discuss what is driving jurors to award blockbuster verdicts without adequate scientific support. Learn more about the seminar and register here: A founding member of Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC, Steve’s primary areas of practice are complex business, toxic tort, and products liability litigation. For more than fifty years, DRI has been the voice of the defense bar, advocating for 22,000 defense attorneys, commercial trial attorneys, and corporate counsel and defending the integrity of the civil judiciary. A thought leader, DRI provides world-class legal education, deep expertise for policy-makers, legal resources, and networking opportunities to facilitate career and law firm growth.

QGT Announces Four New Members

Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC is pleased to announce that R. Seth Hampton, Sarah Keith-Bolden, Scott M. Lar and Thomas H. Wyatt have been named Members of the law firm. “Each makes our firm stronger in many ways, and we look forward to working with them for years to come,” said Managing Member Steven W. Quattlebaum. Mr. Hampton is located in the firm’s Little Rock office and concentrates his practice on real estate, agriculture, banking and environmental compliance. Mr. Hampton is a member of the American Agricultural Law Association and the International Council of Shopping Centers. Prior to joining Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC, Mr. Hampton served as a law clerk to the Honorable Billy Roy Wilson, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas. Mr. Hampton graduated with honors from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law and is licensed to practice in Arkansas, Louisiana and the United States Court of Federal Claims. Ms. Keith-Bolden is located in Little Rock, and her practice focuses on commercial litigation and appeals. She is recognized as a Mid-South Rising Star in the area of Business Litigation by Super Lawyers and is a member of the Defense Research Institute and the Arkansas Association of Women Lawyers. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Keith-Bolden served as a law clerk for the Honorable Robert L. Brown of the Arkansas Supreme Court. Ms. Keith-Bolden received her law degree with honors from Emory University Law School where she served as Notes and Comments Editor for the Emory Bankruptcy Developments Journal. Mr. Lar maintains a transactional and taxation practice in the law firm’s Northwest Arkansas office. He is recognized by Super Lawyers as a Mid-South Rising Star in the area of Mergers and Acquisitions. Mr. Lar has a Master of Laws degree in Taxation from the University of Florida and served as a Graduate Editor of the Florida Tax Review while obtaining his degree. Prior to receiving his LL.M., Mr. Lar earned his J.D. with honors from the University of Arkansas School of Law. Mr. Lar is licensed to practice in Arkansas and the United States Tax Court. Mr. Wyatt’s practice in Little Rock focuses on commercial litigation and property litigation. He is a member of the Arkansas Association of Defense Counsel, the Defense Research Institute and the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce Leadership Greater Little Rock, Class XXXV. Mr. Wyatt received his J.D. with honors from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law where he served as the Executive Editor of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Law Review.