Friday, Eldredge & Clark, LLP

08/20/2026

Friday, Eldredge & Clark is proud to celebrate the attorneys recognized in the 2027 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.

This year:
60 attorneys were recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®, representing 50 practice areas across the firm.

11 attorneys received the prestigious Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” distinction, awarded to only one lawyer in each practice area and geographic region.

8 attorneys were named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, recognizing professional excellence among attorneys earlier in their careers.
These peer-selected honors reflect the depth of experience across our firm and the dedication our attorneys bring to their clients and practices each day.

Learn more about this recognition:

60 Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®
https://fridayfirm.com/news/60-friday-eldredge-clark-llp-attorneys-recognized-in-2027-edition-of-the-best-lawyers-in-america/

11 Attorneys Named Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year”
https://fridayfirm.com/news/friday-eldredge-clark-celebrates-11-attorneys-named-2027-best-lawyers-lawyer-of-the-year/

8 Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America
https://fridayfirm.com/news/8-friday-eldredge-clark-llp-attorneys-named-to-2027-best-lawyers-ones-to-watch-in-america/

08/19/2026

Friday, Eldredge & Clark congratulates Michelle Ator on her election as President of the Arkansas Association of Defense Counsel (AADC).

An accomplished trial attorney, Michelle has built her career representing physicians, hospitals and other medical care providers in complex malpractice litigation. She has also been actively involved in trial advocacy education, serving as faculty for both the AADC Trial College and ABOTA National Trial College and teaching Trial Skills at Bowen School of Law.

As President, Michelle will bring that experience to AADC’s work supporting defense attorneys and advancing trial practice across Arkansas.

Read more about Michelle here: https://fridayfirm.com/news/michelle-ator-elected-president-of-the-arkansas-association-of-defense-counsel/

08/17/2026

William Griffin III was recently honored with the Outstanding Defense Attorney Award by the Arkansas Association of Defense Counsel (AADC), recognizing his accomplishments as a trial lawyer, service to the legal profession and commitment to mentoring fellow attorneys.

Will has tried cases across the country and served as national counsel for major clients. His impact also extends beyond the courtroom through his longstanding commitment to mentoring other lawyers.

Friday attorney Michelle Ator presented the award and reflected on Will’s influence on her own career. Read more about Will’s recognition and impact: https://fridayfirm.com/news/aadc-honors-william-griffin-iii-with-outstanding-defense-attorney-award/

08/14/2026

Taryn Bewley recently completed the ABOTA National Trial College at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in Chicago.

The intensive program brings together young trial lawyers from across the country for hands-on training led by accomplished members of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Participants sharpen their courtroom skills through practical instruction focused on the key elements of trial advocacy, learning directly from experienced trial attorneys.

Learn more about Taryn: https://fridayfirm.com/attorneys/bewley/

08/12/2026

Congratulations to Kael Bowling on being named a NWA Business Journal Forty Under 40 recipient!

Kael represents developers and businesses in complex commercial litigation, with a focus on real estate, construction and debtor-creditor disputes. His commitment to Northwest Arkansas extends beyond his practice through his service on the Board of Directors for the Children’s Safety Center of Washington County.

We’re proud to see Kael recognized among this year’s Forty Under 40 honorees.

Read more: https://talkbusiness.net/2026/08/forty-under-40-kael-bowling/

08/06/2026

Johanna Wade has been appointed to the Board of Directors for the World Services for the Blind Foundation.

The Foundation supports the mission of World Services for the Blind by advancing resources that help individuals who are blind or visually impaired achieve independence through comprehensive life skills, career training, and employment services.

Read more about Johanna's appointment and the Foundation's work: https://fridayfirm.com/news/johanna-wade-appointed-to-world-services-for-the-blind-foundation-board-of-directors/

08/05/2026

The discovery phase is one of the most important stages of litigation and understanding what to expect can help healthcare providers navigate the process.

In Part 8 of our Med Mal 101: Back to Basics series, we explain the fundamentals of discovery, including interrogatories, requests for production, and depositions. The article also highlights important response deadlines and why consulting experienced legal counsel is essential when testimony or documents are requested.

Read Part 8: Discovery Basics to learn what every healthcare provider should know about the discovery process: https://fridayfirm.com/news/part-8-discovery-basics/

07/24/2026

Congratulations Taylor Stockemer on being named a 2026 Arkansas State University Hall of Honor inductee.

JONESBORO, Ark. – The Arkansas State Letterwinners Club will induct five new members into A-State's Hall of Honor during its 46th annual banquet, to be held Friday, Oct. 23, at the Cooper Alumni Center.

07/23/2026

Seven Friday, Eldredge & Clark attorneys have been recognized in the 2026 Chambers High Net Worth Guide for Private Wealth Law in Arkansas.

Published annually by Chambers and Partners, the guide recognizes leading advisers serving high-net-worth individuals and families through independent research, client feedback, and peer interviews.

We are pleased to recognize: Byron Eiseman, Tom Baxter, Lee Brown, Sarah Cotton Patterson, Allison Cornwell, Coleman Westbrook, and Katie Watson Bingham.

Read more here:

Friday, Eldredge & Clark is pleased to announce that seven attorneys have been recognized in the 2026 Chambers High Net Worth Guide for Private Wealth Law in Arkansas. Published annually by Chambers and Partners, the High Net Worth Guide identifies the world's leading professional advisers serving h...

07/23/2026

As a member of the 2025–26 Editorial Advisory Board for The Arkansas Lawyer, Amie Schoeppel Wilcox dedicated her time and expertise in support of the publication, which has now been recognized with the Arkansas Society of Association Executives' Excellence in Communication Award.

We appreciate Amie's commitment and applaud the Arkansas Bar Association, the Editorial Advisory Board, and all the authors, photographers, and contributors whose collective efforts made this recognition possible.

We're honored that the Arkansas Bar Association has received an Arkansas Society of Association Executives Excellence in Communication Award for the Winter 2026 issue of The Arkansas Lawyer.

This special issue, "Profile of the Arkansas Lawyer," explored the changing landscape of our profession through original research, thoughtful articles, member photography, and original artwork.

This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our volunteer Editorial Advisory Board, whose guidance, insight, and commitment to excellence help make The Arkansas Lawyer an award-winning publication. We are deeply grateful for their time and service.

Thank you to our 2025–26 Editorial Advisory Board:

Tyler Mlakar, Chair
Caroline Rothert Boch
Turquoise Early
Taylor Farr
Abby Bukowski
Jim Julian
Tory H. Lewis
Michael A. Thompson
Brett D. Watson
Amie Schoeppel Wilcox
David Williams

A special thank you to Meagan Davis whose beautiful photography graces the cover and appears throughout the magazine. As both a photographer and author, she helped bring the stories of Arkansas lawyers and communities to life.

We also extend our sincere appreciation to the authors who shared their expertise for this issue:
Tory H. Lewis
Cliff McKinney
Abby Brenneman
Gary Dellilnger
Matthew Willard
Kathryn Totty
Mary Eichenberger
Brendan Spaulding
Emma Mitchell
University of Arkansas School of Law, Fayetteville
University of Arkansas at Little Rock, William H. Bowen School of Law

View the award-winning Winter 2026 issue here:

https://issuu.com/arkansas_bar_association/docs/the_arkansas_lawyer_winter_2026

Thank you to the Arkansas Society of Association Executives for this wonderful honor, and congratulations to all of this year's Excellence in Communication Award recipients!