George R. Wise, Jr.

Professional Experience Justin Allen practiced law as a litigator for almost eight years at Wright Lindsey Jennings before joining the Arkansas Attorney General’s office as Chief Deputy Attorney General. As Chief Deputy, Allen gained considerable experience in government relations matters. In that position, Allen was responsible for all legal departments within the office and handled legal issues faced by the State, including constitutional issues, consumer protection, environmental, an...

Donald H. Bacon is a member of Friday, Eldredge & Clark’s Management Committee and a partner in both the Litigation Practice Group and Medical Malpractice Practice Group. While he has represented a diverse set of clients in a variety of litigation, most recently, his focus has been in the area of professional liability representing lawyers, doctors, accountants and insurance agents. In addition to representing them in court, he has represented lawyers before the Office of Profession...

George Ernst is a Partner in our Little Rock office whose practice specializes in immigration, international business, and labor and employment matters. Also proficient in German, he has over a decade of experience representing multi-national corporations across various industries. His practice focuses on advising clients in highly complex matters relating to the employment of foreign nationals under the EB-5 program for international investors, EB-1 and EB-2 visas for employment-based immigr...

Bryan W. Duke is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Real Estate Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law and Tax Law. Bryan W., who practices law in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been recognized since 2012. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Bryan W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John William (“Bill”) Spivey III has practiced with the firm for over 35 years in a number of areas, including commercial real estate, zoning and land use, municipal and corporate finance, municipal government, banking and finance and acquisitions. He currently serves as Team Leader for the firm’s Business Team and formerly served the firm as Financial Partner. Spivey’s recent experience includes: Counsel to major real estate development firm in connection with its lan...

Beth Echols is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Beth, 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 Beth is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

B.A. Rhodes College, 1964 J.D. University of Virginia, 1967 Over 40 years experience as a trial lawyer and as a construction lawyer. Served as trial lawyer in securities, contract, errors and omissions and casualty disputes, as well as construction and business litigation. Represented owners, general contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, and architects and engineers. Counsel to individuals and companies for trials, appeals, arbitration, and mediation. Serves on the Panel of Mediato...

Lynda M. Johnson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law. Lynda M., who practices law in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been recognized since 2001. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lynda M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeff Thomas serves as the firm's Managing Director. His practice focuses on insurance regulatory law and related matters. He has successfully led and managed complex regulatory and compliance issues for Fortune 100 companies on a national basis. His regulatory relationships and breadth of experience across all lines of insurance make him an effective advocate and trusted advisor for his clients on a wide range of business and public policy issues.

John C. Lessel is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. John C., who practices law in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been recognized since 1993. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.