Leading industry sources have recognized members of the firm as among the best lawyers in America.

The Best Lawyers in America®

Since it was first published in 1983, The Best Lawyers in America® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence, 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® 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.  The 2025 edition of Best Lawyers® includes 19 attorneys from QGT honored in 32 practice areas.

Best Lawyers® also honors a single lawyer in each practice area and designated metropolitan area as a “Lawyer of the Year.”  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 practice areas for their abilities, their professionalism, and their integrity. Six attorneys from our firm earned this distinction in Little Rock for 2025: Timothy W. Grooms for Banking and Finance Law; John E. Tull III for Litigation – Banking and Finance; E. B. (Chip) Chiles IV for Bet-the-Company Litigation; Thomas G. Williams for Product Liability Litigation – Defendants:  Joseph W. Price III for Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law; and Geoffrey B. Treece for Litigation – Bankruptcy.  Brandon B. Cate was named Lawyer of the Year for Litigation – Labor and Employment in Fayetteville.

Four lawyers from Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull have been included in the 2025 Edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, 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 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.

Meredith M. Causey
Commercial Litigation – Little Rock

Philip A. Elmore
Commercial Litigation – Springdale

Ryan O’Quinn
Trusts and Estates – Little Rock

Thomas H. Wyatt
Commercial Litigation – Little Rock

U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms”

Quattleaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC is recognized regionally in 28 practice areas in the 2025 edition of Best Law Firms®, ranked by Best Lawyers®.  Firms included in the 2025 Best Law Firms® list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers.  Achieving a tiered ranking signals high-quality legal practice and a depth of legal proficiency. 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 Rock

Appellate 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)
Corporate Law (Tier 1)
Eminent Domain & Condemnation Law (Tier 1)
Employee Benefits (ERISA ) Law (Tier 2)
Environmental Law (Tier 3)
First Amendment Law (Tier 1)
Insurance Law (Tier 1)
Land Use & Zoning Law (Tier 1)
Litigation – Banking & Finance (Tier 1)
Litigation – Bankruptcy (Tier 1)
Litigation – First Amendment (Tier 1)
Litigation – Health Care (Tier 1)
Litigation – Labor & Employment (Tier 1)
Litigation – Real Estate (Tier 1)
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants (Tier 1)
Media Law (Tier 1)
Mergers & Acquisitions Law (Tier 2)
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 – Fayetteville

Commercial Litigation (Tier 1)
Litigation (ERISA) (Tier 1)
Litigation – Labor & Employment (Tier 1)
Tax Law (Tier 2)
Trust & Estates (Tier 2)

Chambers USA

Chambers USA 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.  In the 2024 edition, 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 and Labor & Employment practices. 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.

As to the firm’s litigation practice, the publication noted: “A distinguished firm with a significant geographical reach and notable expertise in a range of contentious issues, including class action defense and product liability. The firm is also regularly mandated by clients from a wide array of industries ranging from the automobile to the pharmaceutical sectors, on environmental and toxic tort litigations.  It offers notable capabilities in breach of contract disputes, as well as personal injury and negligence claims.”  Sources said: “The attorneys are exceptional litigators with the expertise and experience to handle complex, ‘bet the company’ disputes.”  It is noted that Steve Quattlebaum “routinely handles big-ticket commercial and product liability litigation, including disputes filed across multiple states.”  John Tull is described as one of the leading commercial litigators in the market and it is noted that ”John’s experience and expertise have proven invaluable.”  Chip Chiles is lauded for his “impressive expertise as an appellate lawyer” and described as having “extraordinary legal knowledge, outstanding courtroom skills, and a reasoned approach.”  Joe Falasco is “commended for his handling of appellate proceedings and class actions” and Mike Shannon is noted to have “a strong reputation for handling real estate-related litigation but is equally capable of a wide range of broader contentious commercial work.”

For real estate, Chambers remarked: “Excels in advising financial institutions, developers, and multinational corporations on real estate matters. Expertise spans all aspects of purchasing, construction, development, sales, and operations for a variety of real estate projects.  Also offers substantial experience handling mortgages, loans, and tax-deferred exchanges, as well as disputes work. The team is well placed to advise on projects involving collaboration between public and private sector organizations.”  Tim Grooms is noted to have “a stellar reputation for his abilities in high-value and high-complexity real estate work, having advised on a number of significant transactions and financing across his career.”  Sources said: “He gives excellent advice.  Tim monitors current legislative issues and makes us aware of any that are applicable to us.”  Cliff McKinney is noted to have “a reputation as one of the foremost real estate transactional lawyers in the state, born out of an impressive track record in handling high-value acquisitions and sales, particularly in the retail sector.”  Sources remarked: “He is knowledgeable and practical.  Cliff is a resource on both real estate matters and business matters in general.” “Cliff is a good attorney.  He is very knowledgeable and responsive.”   Jeb Joyce is noted for his “in-depth knowledge of real estate law, which forms part of his broader corporate law practice.”  Sources stated: “Jeb always has the answer or the resources for whatever assistance is needed.”

Regarding the firm’s corporate/commercial practice, Chambers commented: “Offers substantial experience in banking issues, representing several state and national banks in matters such as formation, and regulatory issues. Notable capabilities in undertaking tax matters and also adept at working on tax-exempt bond transactions. Also skilled in offering additional assistance with real estate issues arising from corporate transactions. Provides further expertise in handling debt restructurings, asset and stock sales agreements, and joint ventures.”  Tim Grooms is described as “particularly adept at advising clients in the banking and real estate sectors” and it is noted that “he is very responsive and gives excellent advice.” Jeb Joyce is a  “well-regarded commercial lawyer” with “notable experience handling commercial loans and real estate matters.”

Ranked for the first time in the labor & employment category, the firm is described as capably representing a variety of clients on labor and employment matters.  The team’s expertise includes wage and hour litigation, discrimination claims, and general contract work.  Chip Chiles is singled out for being “a respected lawyer with a good practice” covering “a range of sectors, including software, professional services and financial services.” 

The following shows Chambers’ recognition of the firm and its attorneys:

Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC
Commercial Litigation (Band 1)
Real Estate (Band 1)
Corporate/Commercial (Band 3)
Labor & Employment (Band 3)

• E. B. (Chip) Chiles IV – General Commercial Litigation (Band 2) and Labor & Employment (Band 2)
• Joseph R. Falasco – General Commercial Litigation (Band 4)
• Timothy W. Grooms – Real Estate (Band *) and Corporate/Commercial (Band 2)
• Jeb H. Joyce – Real Estate (Band 2) and Corporate/Commercial (Band 3)
• J. Cliff McKinney II – Real Estate (Band 1)
• Steven W. Quattlebaum – General Commercial Litigation (Band *)
• Michael N. Shannon – General Commercial Litigation (Band 4)
• John E. Tull III – General Commercial Litigation (Band 1)

Key
* – Star Individuals (above rank 1); given to lawyers with exceptional recommendations in their field.

Super Lawyers

Super Lawyers  is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than seventy (70) practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.  The annual selections are made using a patented multi-phase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates, and peer reviews by practice area.  The result is a credible, comprehensive, and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys.  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.  Steven W. Quattlebaum, Timothy W. Grooms, John E. Tull III, E. B. (Chip) Chiles IV, and Michael N. Shannon 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 2023.

The following lawyers from our firm were recognized by Super Lawyers for 2023:

Mid-South Super Lawyers

Mid-South Rising Stars

• R. Ryan Younger – Business Litigation

Benchmark: America’s Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys

The firm was recently recognized in the 2024 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, and R. Ryan Younger were named Future Stars.

Benchmark also recognized firms and attorneys in Labor & Employment for 2024 and Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC was highlighted as one of four “recommended firms” in Arkansas, with E. B. (Chip) Chiles IV and Joseph R. Falasco named Labor & Employment Stars – South.

Philip A. Elmore was named to the Benchmark Litigation 2024 40 & Under List.  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.  Every year, Benchmark sets out to identify the best and brightest litigators across the US based on market analyses, peer review, and casework to compile its list of the top emerging talent in litigation.  These practitioners are among the top young talent in their respective litigation communities in the United States.

Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC was named the US Award Winner for the State of Arkansas by Benchmark Litigation in 2024, the eleventh time the firm has received this honor.  The award selection is based on peer review and research conducted by Benchmark’s research team.

Benchmark covers the litigation and disputes market in North America, covering the US, Canada, Latin America, 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.  The guide’s results are the culmination of a six-month research period that allows researchers to conduct extensive interviews with litigators and their clients, examining recent case work handled by the firms, and asking sources to offer their professional opinions on litigators practicing within their state or national practice areas.  Litigation Stars reflect lawyers who were recommended consistently as reputable and effective litigators by clients and peers while Future Stars are litigators who were consistently referenced by peers and clients as litigators who are likely to become Litigation Stars in coming editions of the guide.

Lawdragon

Lawdragon recognized six attorneys from Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC in its 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America guide.  Attorneys selected for this guide excel in litigating claims involving antitrust, intellectual property, white collar and investigations, securities and corporate governance litigation, and a vast array of class actions, product liability, and other complex civil litigation.  This guide is dominated by firms who typically represent corporations on defense but a significant number recognized represent plaintiffs as well.  Members of this guide were selected from submissions, journalistic research, and vetting with the nation’s leading trial lawyers.  You can find the complete list here.

Congratulations to the QGT attorneys named to this list:

Michael B. Heister – Complex Business, Environmental, Energy Litigation

Sarah Keith-Bolden – Business Litigation including Employment, Appellate

Steven W. Quattlebaum – Business, Toxic Tort and Product Liability Litigation

Michael N. Shannon – Commercial Litigation, Class Action, Product Liability

John E. Tull III – Product Liability, Complex Commercial

Thomas G. Williams – Tort, Product Liability

Steven W. Quattlebaum  was also received into the Lawdragon 500 Hall of Fame in 2021.  Created in 2015, the Hall of Fame recognizes past members of the Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America and other outstanding lawyers who have made remarkable contributions as leaders, litigators, dealmakers, power brokers, judges and innovators. The list celebrates lawyers whose mark on the legal profession is indelible and the 34 members of the 2021 Hall of Fame class are described as “among the most acclaimed of their generation, having led America’s signature law firms to unprecedented heights, achieved civil rights advances and changed our world for the better.”  Steve was named to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America list eight times and is one of only two attorneys from Arkansas to be inducted into the Lawdragon 500 Hall of Fame. The full list of the 2021 Hall of Fame class, which also includes the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, can be found here.

Selection to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America 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.