The Arkansas Bar Association and the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service are proud to announce the inaugural class of the Public Service Academy. The selected individuals will participate in two sessions: one in Little Rock (November 15-16) and one in Fayetteville (January 17-18). Click here for more information on the inaugural class, which includes five Clinton School students and graduates.

The Public Service Academy was established to provide service-minded lawyers the tools they need for service in both elected office and as volunteers. The academy is believed to be the third program sponsored by a bar association in the United States following North Carolina (2017) and Tennessee (2018).

Westley Ashley, Little Rock

Kelsey Bardwell, Harrison

Caleb Baumgardner, El Dorado

Kandice Bell, White Hall

Kelly Brown, Dumas

S. Taylor Chaney, Arkadelphia

Cara Boyd Connors, Little Rock

Tyler R. Farrar, Springdale

Amy Freedman, Texarkana

Pam Percefull Hathaway, Little Rock

Jera Houghtaling, Fayetteville

Alexander Jones, Little Rock

Tabitha Lee, Little Rock

Lauren Manatt, Sheridan

Skye Martin, North Little Rock

Joey H. McCutchen, II, Fort Smith

Mary “Molly” McGowan McNulty, Little Rock

Jeffrey H. Moore, Little Rock

Meredith Moore, Little Rock

Dequeshia Prude, Fayetteville

Brenda Simpson, Hot Springs

Dusti Standridge, Fort Smith

Judge Sam Terry, Fort Smith

Wendy Scholtens Wood, Little Rock

Students from the University of Arkansas School of Law, University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law and the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service:

Nate Arrington

Jennifer Browne

Kara Butler

Caleb Conrad

Derick Dillard

Justin Gunderman

Elizabeth Hall

Wesley Manus

Dana McGee

Trent Minner

Madhav Shroff

Connor Thompson

The Public Service Academy is chaired by Maggie Benson and Nate Looney, lawyer member volunteers and graduates of the Clinton School of Public Service. Benson and Looney also serve on the steering committee, which includes former Chief Justice Howard Brill, Vincent Foster Professor of Legal Ethics & Professional Responsibility at the University of Arkansas School of Law; Circuit Judge Earnest Brown; and House Speaker Matthew Shepherd.

The Public Service Academy is sponsored by the University of Arkansas School of Law, University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, Rose Law Firm, Brian Rosenthal, as well as the Civil Practice and the Government Practice Sections of the Arkansas Bar Association.

The Arkansas Bar Association is a voluntary, statewide organization with 5,000 members. Among its purposes are the advancement of the administration of justice and fostering high ideals of integrity, learning and public service among its members.