Brian G. Brooks

Robert T. Smith heads the Finance and Commercial Transactions Practice Group and serves on the firm’s Management Committee. His diverse corporate practice focuses on representing individuals, companies, and financial institutions in general business, transactional, securities and regulatory matters. He has handled transactions in a variety of areas including the banking, healthcare, real estate and technology industries.In the banking area, Robert advises clients on merger and acquisiti...

Lance Miller has extensive experience as a trial lawyer focusing on complex financial disputes. He concentrates his practice on creditor’s rights and remedies including bankruptcy, foreclosure, secured transactions, replevins, receiverships and other areas of business/commercial litigation, having tried cases before state, federal and bankruptcy courts and arbitration tribunals. He also engages in sophisticated workouts and restructurings representing both debtors and creditors (just no...

Martin A. Kasten is a partner in the Litigation department of Friday, Eldredge & Clark, and focuses his practice on tort litigation and class actions in federal and state courts. His trial work includes the defense of claims involving business torts, Attorney General actions, Arkansas’ deceptive trade practices act, insurance coverage, products liability, including pharmaceuticals, automobile accidents, premises liability and breach of contracts. Martin also regularly handles appeal...

Ryan A. Bowman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Municipal Law and Public Finance Law. Ryan A., who practices law in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ryan A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stephen R. Giles is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law, Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Stephen R., who practices law in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stephen R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Melissa Bandy advises businesses and individuals on commercial transaction matters including lending, real estate, corporate governance, entity formation and general business. She also represents restaurants, retailers and hotels in securing liquor permits from the Alcohol Beverage Control Division.

Michael Childers is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Michael, who practices law in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Graham Talley litigates and tries complex, multi-party and class action disputes for clients in the healthcare, insurance, retail and banking industries. In recent years, Graham has served as trial counsel more than a half dozen times, all in cases with millions of dollars at stake. His focus on trials often involves the preparation and cross-examination of scientific witnesses, the presentation of complex argument on legal issues during trial and the preservation of error.

Baxter D. Drennon is a Partner in our office in Little Rock, Arkansas, and he has more than a decade of legal experience. His practice is a testament to a career built on safeguarding clients’ rights across the complex landscape of products liability, commercial transactions, and banking and finance law. Baxter also successfully defends doctors, nurses, and other medical providers as he helps them navigate through difficult medical malpractice cases. Baxter has built a reputation for hi...

J. Lee Brown concentrates his practice on estate planning, tax, corporate, real estate and nonprofit matters. He serves private clients in the areas of estate planning, wills and trusts, probate and small business planning. He counsels corporate and business clients regarding tax planning, corporate and entity formation, and tax-exempt organizations and related matters. Lee has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Trusts and Estates and for Tax Law for more than 10 years.