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 | EDUCATION
Graduate Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas (1960)
Graduate University of Arkansas Law School in Fayetteville, Arkansas (1963)
Graduate George Washington University, Washington, D.C. (1970),
Masters of Law (Administrative Law)
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| GOVERNMENTAL EXPERIENCE
U.S. Army, rank of Captain (1963-65)
Arkansas Insurance Commission Attorney (1966)
Assistant U. S. Attorney Eastern District of Arkansas (1967)
Legislative Assistant to the late U. S. Senator John L. McClellan in Washington, D. C.
(1968-1971)
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Hot Spring County, Arkansas (1971-72)
State Representative Hot Spring County (1973-76)
Arkansas Secretary of State (1977-78)
Member of the Arkansas Constitutional Convention from Hot Spring County (1979)
Arkansas Lt. Governor (1981-90)
Arkansas Attorney General (1991-99)
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| PRIVATE PRACTICE
MALVERN PRACTICE (1971-83):
I practiced law in Malvern, Arkansas, from 1971 until 1983 when I relocated to North Little Rock, Arkansas. (I did not practice during 1977 and 1978 because I served as Secretary of State which was full time. I practiced law while serving as state representative and Lt. Governor since both offices were part-time).
Area of Practice in Malvern:
General practice of law handling all types of civil cases. Representative clients were the Bank of Malvern (now
Firstar Bank); Diamondhead (a resort Development located on Lake Catherine); Hot Spring County Memorial Hospital; Hot Spring County Water Association (rural water association serving most of Hot Spring County, which I formed and represented) and Farmers Home Administration (FHA loan closing attorney).
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NORTH LITTLE ROCK PRACTICE (1983-90):
I practiced law in North Little Rock, Arkansas, from 1983 until 1990. My offices were located in the Arkansas Municipal League Building in North Little Rock. I continued to represent some clients in Malvern such as the Hot Spring County Memorial Hospital
during the same period of time I served as Lt. Governor, which was part-time.
Area of Practice in North Little Rock:
From 1983 until 1990 I represented the Arkansas Municipal League defending cities and city officials in civil rights (Section 1983) lawsuits.
I carried a caseload of fifty (50) to seventy-five (75) Section 1983 cases a year for approximately seven (7) years until I ran for attorney general. I also handled
worker's compensation cases as well as other municipal law cases for cities.
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SERVICE AS ATTORNEY GENERAL (1991-1999):
GENERAL
As Attorney General, I focused my energies on representing and defending the
State of Arkansas and local governments, fighting for strong and effective
consumer protection, better environmental safeguards, opposing unjust
utility rate increases, and reaching out to protect our young people and the
elderly. For more specific information about my work as attorney general see
SUMMARY OF SERVICE AS ATTORNEY GENERAL.
ARGUED BEFORE U. S. SUPREME COURT
I have appeared before the United States Supreme Court three (3) times,
arguing landmark cases concerning term limits and law-enforcement
issues.
TOBACCO LITIGATION
The lawsuit I filed on behalf of Arkansans against the tobacco companies resulted in a settlement of $1.6 billion over the next 25 years, which is the largest civil settlement in the history of the state.
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PRIVATE LAW PRACTICE (1999 TO DATE) :
After leaving the Office of Attorney General in January 1999, I established a private law practice in Little Rock,
Arkansas, with offices in the Stephens Building.
Area of Practice in Little Rock:
I have maintained a hands-on, client-oriented practice concentrating on civil litigation, municipal law, administrative law,
and constitutional law.
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PERSONAL
Born October 3, 1938 in Malvern, Arkansas
Married to the former Susan Hughes, who is the Gifted and Talented Coordinator for the Malvern School District
One son, John
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REFERENCES
References can be furnished upon request.
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