News

Chip Chiles Inducted Into International Academy of Trial Lawyers

E. B. (Chip) Chiles IV, a Managing Member of Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC, was inducted as a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers (IATL) at its 2024 Annual Meeting held in Ojai, California, March 6-10, 2024. The International Academy of Trial Lawyers limits membership to 500 Fellows from the United States in addition to Fellows from nearly 40 countries across the globe. IATL seeks out, identifies, acknowledges, and honors those who have achieved a career of excellence through demonstrated skill and ability in jury trials, trials before the court, and appellate practice.  Members are engaged in civil practice on both the plaintiff’s and the defendant’s side of the courtroom, and the trial of criminal cases. The Academy invites only lawyers who have attained the highest level of advocacy. A comprehensive screening process identifies the most distinguished members of the trial bar through both peer and judicial review.  Mr. Chiles was evaluated by his colleagues and the judges in his jurisdiction and was highly recommended for possessing these qualifications and characteristics. Chartered in 1954, IATL’s general purposes are to cultivate the science of jurisprudence, promote reforms in the law, facilitate the Administration of Justice, and elevate the standards of integrity, honor, and courtesy in the legal profession.

Benchmark Litigation Selects QGT As US Award Winner

Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC was named US Award Winner for the State of Arkansas by Benchmark Litigation at the annual Benchmark US Awards held in New York on March 13, 2024, marking the eleventh time the firm has received this distinction.  A full list of the winners can be found here. The Benchmark Litigation US Awards recognize the country’s most distinguished litigators and their firms for their exemplary work over the past twelve months. After months of peer review-based research and submission reviews, the Benchmark team set out to uncover the most impactful cases, the lawyers and law firms behind them, and the litigators who have paved the way. Previously, the firm was recognized in the 2024 edition of Benchmark Litigation as one of only four “highly recommended firms” for litigation in Arkansas, with four attorneys highlighted as Litigation Stars and three attorneys named Future Stars. The firm was also highlighted as one of four “recommended firms” in Arkansas for Labor & Employment for 2024, with two of our attorneys named Labor & Employment Stars – South.  More information about these and other rankings can be found on our Awards page. Benchmark Litigation—the definitive guide to America’s leading litigation firms and attorneys—is the only publication to focus exclusively on US litigation.

Shelley Fleisch-Djurica Named Member Of Firm

Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC is pleased to announce that Shelley Fleisch-Djurica has been named a member of the law firm.     Ms. Fleisch-Djurica’s practice focuses on banking technology and fintech agreements and counseling her clients on a variety of technology contracting matters, including information security, data privacy and federal and state financial regulatory compliance. She regularly advises financial institution clients on risks and obligations under laws relevant to their data and legal issues. Ms. Fleisch-Djurica also has experience with complex civil and business litigation and representing employers in employment-related matters, including representation of a corporate client in obtaining summary judgment on claims of Fair Labor Standards Act and Arkansas Minimum Wage Act violations in the Eastern District of Arkansas.  Ms. Fleisch-Djurica obtained her J.D. from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bown School of Law.  Upon graduation from law school, she served as a law clerk to the Honorable Tom Glaze of the Arkansas Supreme Court.

Super Lawyers Selects 15 From QGT For 2023

Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC is pleased to announce that fifteen attorneys with our firm were recently named to the Mid-South Super Lawyers and Mid-South Rising Stars lists for 2023 by Super Lawyers.  Brandon B. Cate, Vincent O. Chadick, E. B. (Chip) Chiles IV, Joseph R. Falasco, Timothy W. Grooms, Michael B. Heister, Jeb H. Joyce, 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, Mr. Chiles, and Mr. 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.  R. Ryan Younger was named a Mid-South Rising Star by the organization. Please visit our Awards page to learn more about these and other rankings. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The patented selection process includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. Lawyers are selected to a Super Lawyers list in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. 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. 

Cliff McKinney Recognized In Arkansas 250

QGT Managing Member J. Cliff McKinney II has been named to the 2023 edition of the Arkansas 250, a special publication that celebrates influential Arkansans across business, politics, and nonprofits. Research for the list involved combing through the state’s various media outlets, meeting with executives and leaders from every region and each major industry category in Arkansas, and paying attention to the good deeds and power moves of Arkansas’ leaders. 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.

QGT Ranked In 25 Practice Areas By Best Law Firms®

Quattleaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC is proud to share that we are recognized regionally in 25 practice areas in the 2024 edition of Best Law Firms®, ranked by Best Lawyers®.  Firms included in the 2024 Best Law Firms® list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers.  Achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique credibility within the industry.  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 3)First Amendment Law (Tier 1)Insurance Law (Tier 2)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)Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (Tier 2)Litigation (ERISA) – (Tier 1)Litigation – Labor & Employment (Tier 1) To learn about this and other recognition received by the firm, please visit our Awards page.

Madalyn Goolsby Published in UA Little Rock Law Review

Madalyn J. Goolsby has authored an article for the Fall 2023 edition of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Law Review. Her article “Filling the Gap: The Need for Legislative Action to Protect the Right to Record Police in the Age of Citizen Journalism,” argues that cities and states should follow recently enacted legislation in New York City that recognizes a right to record police in their official duties, establishes a private right of action to address officers unlawfully interfering with that right, and provides the opportunity to institute clearer standards for both citizens and law enforcement on how to lawfully record police. You can read Maddy’s article here. Maddy is a third-year law student at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law and upon graduation will serve as a law clerk for the Hon. Lavenski R. Smith of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit before joining Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull as a litigation associate.

Benchmark Litigation Recognizes QGT And Attorneys In 2024 Rankings

The 2024 Benchmark Litigation USA rankings have been released and we are excited to announce that the firm was recognized 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 while Brandon B. Cate, Joseph R. Falasco, and R. Ryan Younger were named Future Stars. Benchmark Litigation – the definitive guide to America’s leading litigation firms and attorneys – is the only publication to focus exclusively on litigation in the United States. Benchmark Labor & Employment rankings, which highlight the best and brightest law firms and partners who stand out in their labor and employment practices throughout the United States, have also been announced and Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC was named one of four “recommended” firms in Arkansas, with E. B. (Chip) Chiles IV, and Joseph Falasco recognized as Labor & Employment Stars – South. More information about the Benchmark Litigation rankings can be found on our Awards page.

QGT Welcomes Nicholas S. S. Rogers To Firm

Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC is pleased to announce that Nicholas S. S. Rogers has joined the firm as a litigation associate in our Little Rock office. Before joining the firm, Mr. Rogers served two years as a law clerk to the Honorable Kristine G. Baker of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas.  His experience includes work on constitutional questions, labor disputes, and federal regulations. Mr. Rogers earned his Juris Doctor and Master of Public Policy degrees from the University of Virginia, where he served on the editorial board of the Virginia Journal of Criminal Law.  Prior to law school, Mr. Rogers served as a Vice President for Media Analysis at a Washington, D.C., research consulting firm after working for former United States Senator Mark Pryor.  A native of Conway, Arkansas, Mr. Rogers graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and International Studies from the Honors College at the University of Central Arkansas in 2012.  While at UCA, Mr. Rogers was a seven-time Presidential Scholar, a member of the Alpha Chi National Honors Scholarship Society, and was named Outstanding Student in International Studies in 2011. Outside of the office, Mr. Rogers competes as an elite amateur road cyclist, studies foreign languages, and is preparing for the Court of Master Sommelier’s introductory sommelier exam.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Features Steve Quattlebaum In High Profile

Steven W. Quattlebaum was featured in the High Profile section of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, which highlights the movers, shakers, volunteers, and philanthropists across the state. The September 10, 2023, article chronicles some meaningful incidents and people that impacted Steve and significantly influenced his life and legal career. Steve’s impressive trial work, his tenure as the National President of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and his unabashed pride in his law firm and colleagues are also shared in this insightful profile. You can read the complete article here.

Will Yandell Joins QGT Team

William T. Yandell has joined Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC as an associate in the Little Rock office where his practice primarily focuses on commercial litigation. Mr. Yandell graduated magna cum laude from the University of Arkansas School of Law, where he served as Chief Justice of the Graduate and Professional Student Congress and Chief of Staff for the Student Bar Association.  As a co-founder and President of the school’s OutLaw chapter, he organized legal clinics for indigent members of the community.  Mr. Yandell competed as both an oralist and brief writer for the University’s traveling moot court team, which reached the finals in the Philadelphia Regionals of the American Bar Association National Appellate Advocacy Competition, securing fourth place for their brief and earning him recognition as an Outstanding Oralist.  He was also the champion of the 2022 William H. Sutton Barrister’s Union Trial Competition. Mr. Yandell was a recipient of the Charles Thomas and Mary Alice Pearson Fellowship in 2021 and 2022. A native of Greenbrier, Arkansas, Mr. Yandell obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Central Arkansas, where he sat as principal trumpet and section leader of the Conway Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, 12:00 Jazz Band, and Bear Marching Band. We are excited to welcome Will to our team!

Katie Calvert Featured Author In USLAW Magazine

S. Katie Calvert is a featured author in the Summer 2023 edition of USLAW Magazine. Sarah’s article, “AI: A Cautionary Tale For Non-Lawyers,” addresses several pitfalls associated with using artificial intelligence to draft legal documents instead of qualified attorneys. You can read the article here. As associate at the firm, Sarah concentrates her practice on commercial litigation. USLAW Magazine is the official magazine of USLAW Network, Inc., a network of over 100 law firms worldwide consisting of more than 6,000 lawyers providing the full scope of legal services.

David Gardner Published In Arkansas Community Banker

David A. Gardner is a featured author in the Summer 2023 edition of The Arkansas Community Banker. David’s article, “UCC Amended to Accommodate Digital Commerce,” explains changes made to the Uniform Commercial Code in 2022 to address the challenges of digital assets in commerce. You can read the article here. A third-year law student at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, David is a law clerk at QGT and will join the firm as an associate upon graduation. The Arkansas Community Bankers Association is committed to preserving and promoting community banks, their franchise values and the communities they serve.

23 QGT Attorneys Recognized in 2024 Best Lawyers®

Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC is pleased to announce that 18 lawyers have been included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers 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.  Its first international list was published in 2006 and since then has grown to provide lists in over 75 countries.  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 2024 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 EmploymentVincent O. Chadick – Agriculture Law and Commercial LitigationE. 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 – DefendantsJoseph R. Falasco – Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law, Litigation – Labor and Employment, and Litigation – Real EstateTimothy W. Grooms – Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation – Real Estate, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, and Real Estate LawMichael B. Heister – Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, and Environmental LawJeb. H. Joyce – Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, and Real Estate LawSarah Keith-Bolden – Commercial Litigation and Litigation – Labor and EmploymentScott M. Lar – Tax Law and Trusts and EstatesJ. Cliff McKinney II – Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate LawJoseph W. Price II – Commercial Litigation, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, and Litigation – Real EstateSteven W. Quattlebaum – Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Litigation – Health Care,  Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation – DefendantsMichael N. Shannon – Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation – PlaintiffsGeoffrey B. Treece – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation – BankruptcyJohn 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 – PlaintiffsDavid B. Vandergriff – Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, and Litigation – Real EstateThomas G. Williams – Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants and Product Liability Litigation – DefendantsR. Ryan Younger – Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants Best Lawyers also honors a single lawyer in each practice area and designated metropolitan area as a “Lawyer of the Year.”  Four attorneys from our firm earned this distinction in Little Rock for 2024: Timothy W. Grooms for Land Use and Zoning Law and Litigation – Real Estate; Steven W. Quattlebaum for Bet-the-Company Litigation and Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants; John E. Tull III for Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants and Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs; and Michael N. Shannon for Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law.  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. Five lawyers from QGT have been included in the 2024 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® in America 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 2024 Edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America:   Meredith M. Causey – Commercial LitigationPhilip A. Elmore – Commercial Litigation R. Seth Hampton – Banking and Finance Law, Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law, and Real Estate LawC. Ryan O’Quinn – Trusts and EstatesThomas H. Wyatt – Commercial Litigation A complete list of these and other rankings can be found on our Awards page.

Michael Crosby and Dalton Swindell Featured Authors In The Arkansas Lawyer

Michael B. Crosby III and Dalton B. Swindell are featured authors in the Summer 2023 issue of The Arkansas Lawyer, the official publication of the Arkansas Bar Association. The article, “Roll Call: Report of Face the Consequences – What the Corporate Transparency Act Means for Your Business,” explains how the new Corporate Transparency Act, set to become effective January 1, 2024, will have a significant impact on how companies – and those who help create them – operate moving forward. You can read the article here. Dalton and Michael are associates in our Little Rock office where they primarily focus on real estate transactions.

Steve Quattlebaum Named Defense Lawyer of the Year By Arkansas Association of Defense Counsel

Steven W. Quattlebaum was honored as the Defense Lawyer of the Year by the Arkansas Association of Defense Counsel (AADC) at the 2023 Annual Meeting held August 3-4 in Bentonville, Arkansas. The award was presented by QGT Member and AADC Secretary, Tom Wyatt. The AADC Defense Lawyer of the Year is awarded annually to an Arkansas defense lawyer who best exemplifies the mission and objectives of the AADC.  The lawyer assists members of the Arkansas defense bar in the exchange of information, ideas, and techniques to handle defense litigation, elevates the standards of trial practice in Arkansas and nationally, adheres to the highest standards of trial conduct and courtroom manners, supports and works for the improvement of the adversary system in our state and federal courts, and works to increase the quality of the service and contribution that the legal profession renders to the clients, adversaries, the local community, and Arkansas. AADC is an organization of lawyers in Arkansas whose work focuses primarily on defense litigation and whose objectives include elevating the standards of trial practice in Arkansas and working for the improvement of the adversary system of jurisprudence in our courts.

Ryan Younger Named to Benchmark Litigation 40 & Under List

R. Ryan Younger has been named to the Benchmark Litigation 40 & Under List for 2023.  This is the seventh time Ryan has 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. Younger is a managing 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.

John Tull Appointed to Arkansas FOIA Review Working Group

John E. Tull III was recently appointed to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Review Working Group by Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin. The bipartisan group includes members of the legal and press communities that will review FOIA and provide the attorney general’s office with recommendations on how to improve the law. Other members of the group include State Senator Breanne Davis; Ryan Owsley, Deputy Attorney General, Opinions Division; John Payne, Deputy Attorney General, Civil Litigation Division; State Representative David Ray; State Senator Clarke Tucker; and Ashley Kemp Wimberly, Executive Director of the Arkansas Press Association. “Guarding the state’s Freedom of Information Act has been a large part of my legal career,” Tull said. “I’m honored to serve with the other members of this working group to find ways to improve FOIA but maintain its strength. I’m thankful to Attorney General Griffin for bringing together this group to open this discussion.” John Tull practices in the firm’s Little Rock office and concentrates his practice on newspaper law, products liability, and complex commercial litigation.

Steve Quattlebaum Featured in Arkansas Business Executive Q&A

QGT Managing Member Steven W. Quattlebaum is featured in the current issue of Arkansas Business where he discusses his role as National President of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Other topics covered in the Executive Q&A spotlight include issues surrounding the judiciary, managing people, and being an effective communicator. You can download the article below. ABOTA is an invitation-only national association of 7,300 highly experienced trial lawyers and judges dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees the right to civil jury trials. ABOTA’s primary goal is to educate the American public about the history and value of the right to trial by jury, and it is dedicated to elevating the standards of skill, integrity, honor, and courtesy in the legal profession.

QGT Receives High Rankings From Chambers USA

The 2023 edition of Chambers USA 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 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.

QGT Welcomes Rachel Sullivant

QGT is pleased to welcome Rachel A. Sullivant as an associate in our Northwest Arkansas office, where her practice will primarily focus on corporate transactions.  Ms. Sullivant earned her J. D., summa cum laude, from the University of Arkansas School of Law, where she was a member of the Business Law Society and recipient of the Academic Achievement Award for ranking third in her law school class.  While in law school, she held various positions with the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Arkansas, and upon graduation, she continued her work in that office, most recently as Associate Director of the McMillon Innovation Studio. Ms. Sullivant received a Bachelor of Business Administration from East Tennessee State University in 2014 and a Master of Business Administration with a focus on international business from John Brown University in 2017.  Prior to law school, she was employed as a financial analyst in the aerospace industry and was a Sam Walton Fellow at John Brown University serving as the faculty advisor for a social entrepreneurship program.  We are excited to have Rachel join our team!

QGT Chosen As 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 Benchmark USA Awards held March 15, 2023, marking the tenth time the firm has received this distinction.  A full list of the winners can be found here. The award selection is based upon peer review and research conducted by Benchmark’s research team. Previously, the firm was recognized in the 2023. edition of Benchmark Litigation as one of only four “highly recommended firms” for litigation in Arkansas, with five attorneys highlighted as Litigation Stars and four attorneys named Future Stars. The firm was also highlighted as one of four “recommended firms” in Arkansas for Labor & Employment for 2022, with five of our attorneys named Labor & Employment Stars – South.  More information about these and other rankings can be found on our Awards page. 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 Sworn In As ABOTA National President

Steven W. Quattlebaum was installed as National President of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) at the organization’s annual National Board Meeting in Santa Barbara, California, on January 28, 2023. Since his admission into the association in 1995, Steve has held a number of leadership positions, including two terms as National Secretary. He has served on several committees and chaired or co-chaired programs that have had a broad impact, notably as chair of the ABOTA COVID-19 Task Force, which produced and published “Guidance for Conducting Civil Jury Trials During the COVID-19 Pandemic,” a legal resource that addresses the process of conducting trials safely and the many issues faced by the courts, the legal community, jurors, and the public. His passion for helping young lawyers develop their courtroom skills is evidenced by his many years of involvement in the ABOTA National Trial College, first as a faculty member and later multiple times as co-chair of the week-long instructional program which has been held at Princeton University, Harvard Law School, and Yale Law School. Gordon S. Rather, Jr., ABOTA National President in 1996 and a longtime friend and mentor to Steve, introduced him to the National Board, judges, and guests by describing him as someone who has made tremendous strides in advancing the legal profession. “We all know that there is no victory, no advantage, no fee, and no favor which is worth even the slightest blemish on your reputation for honesty and integrity,” Mr. Rather said. “Steve understands that no matter how successful you are, no matter how many trials you win, your professional life will not be fulfilled if you do not devote some measure of your energy and time to improving the legal profession.” In his remarks to the group, Steve commented, “In the Founders’ eyes, the right to a jury trial was equal in importance to the right to vote. The civil jury trial, as an institution, is important to our democracy. It is imperative that the citizenry, consumer groups, and businesses recognize and understand the vital role of the jury system within our society.” ABOTA is an invitation-only national association of 7,300 highly experienced trial lawyers and judges dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees the right to civil jury trials. ABOTA’s primary goal is to educate the American public about the history and value of the right to trial by jury, and it is dedicated to elevating the standards of skill, integrity, honor, and courtesy in the legal profession.

Michael Crosby Joins CREC Metro Little Rock Board

We are pleased to share that Michael B. Crosby III has been named to the Commercial Real Estate Council of Metro Little Rock Board of Directors for 2023. A transactional attorney with the firm, Michael’s practice is primarily focused on real estate and agricultural matters. CREC MLR supports and promotes all aspects of commercial real estate. Groups, individuals, and companies representing development, property management, finance, construction, and other industries work together to facilitate engagement, education, and networking in commercial real estate in the metro Little Rock area.

QGT Welcomes Aaron Cochran To Firm

Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC is pleased to announce that Aaron C. Cochran has joined the law firm as an associate.   Mr. Cochran is located in the firm’s Little Rock office and his practice is primarily focused on bankruptcy, debtor and creditor rights, secured transactions, and other litigation matters. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Cochran served as a staff attorney to the Honorable Phyllis M. Jones of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas. Mr. Cochran graduated magna cum laude from the University of Arkansas School of Law where he was a member of the Journal of Food Law & Policy, participated in the school’s bankruptcy clinic, was a member of the school’s traveling moot court team, and served as a faculty research assistant.  He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Hendrix College, where he graduated with high honors and became a member of Phi Beta Kappa.  He went on to obtain a Master of Arts in Philosophy from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. He was licensed to practice law in Arkansas in 2019.

QGT Announces New Members

Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC is pleased to announce that Sarah Keith-Bolden and Scott M. Lar have become managing members of the law firm and Meredith M. Causey and Philip A. Elmore have been named members.   Ms. Keith-Bolden is located in the firm’s Little Rock office and concentrates her practice on business litigation, appeals, and employment-related matters. She is listed with The Best Lawyers in America® in the area of Commercial Litigation, recognized as a Mid-South Rising Star in the area of Business Litigation by Super Lawyers, named a Labor & Employment Star – South by Benchmark Litigation, and was selected for the inaugural Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America guide. She is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, The Trial Lawyer Honorary Society.  Prior to joining Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull, Ms. Keith-Bolden served as a law clerk for the Honorable Robert L. Brown of the Arkansas Supreme Court. She received her undergraduate degree in Environmental Engineering from Brown University and her law degree with honors from Emory University.  While in law school, she served as a Notes and Comments Editor for the Emory Bankruptcy Developments Journal. Mr. Lar is based in the firm’s Northwest Arkansas office where he maintains a transactional and taxation practice, which primarily focuses on mergers and acquisitions, taxation and tax planning, federal and state tax audits, tax litigation, corporate transactions, and estate planning, including probate and trust administration.  He is licensed to practice in the United States Tax Court and is recognized by Super Lawyers as a Mid-South Rising Star in the area of Tax.  He holds a Master of Laws degree in Taxation from the University of Florida and served as a Graduate Editor of the Florida Tax Review.  He earned his J.D. with honors from the University of Arkansas School of Law and obtained a B.S.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business. While attending law school, he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Food Law & Policy.  Located in Little Rock, Ms. Causey’s practice focuses on electronic discovery and information governance, including the identification, preservation, collection, review, and production of electronically stored information.  Ms. Causey also provides counsel to clients on a variety of technology-related issues, including software licensing agreements, cloud computing, and website privacy policies. She is recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in the area of Commercial Litigation.  Ms. Causey graduated from Vanderbilt University with a B.S. in Political Science and received her J.D. from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law.  While in law school, she served as a student extern to the Honorable D. Price Marshall Jr., United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas.  Mr. Elmore is a litigation attorney in the firm’s Northwest Arkansas office. He is recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in the area of Commercial Litigation and was selected to participate in the ABOTA National Trial College.  Mr. Elmore graduated magna cum laude from the University of Arkansas School of Law where he served as a Note & Comment Editor for the Arkansas Law Review.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science, summa cum laude, from Arkansas Tech University. Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC is a law firm consisting of 41 attorneys with offices in Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas.  For more information about Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC, please visit www.QGTLAW.com.