John Dewey Watson

Robert Beach concentrates his practice in the municipal bonds and corporate finance sector, with a particular emphasis on bond financing for school districts. He represents municipal advisors, underwriters and issuers. He was involved in the largest school financing in the history of Arkansas school boards and has assisted over 98 percent of the school districts issue debt. Bob, a partner in the firm, has been named Lawyer of the Year 2017 by The Best Lawyers in America for his work in Little...

Brian C. Smith practices in the firm’s Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Practice Group. His practice includes experience in the design, implementation and administration of tax-qualified retirement plans including defined benefit pension plans, profit-sharing plans, 401(k) plans and ESOPs. He also works with nonqualified deferred compensation plans and health and welfare plans for financial institutions, regular business organizations, professional corporations and governmen...

Lindsey H. Emerson Raines is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Lindsey H., who practices law in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lindsey H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dylan Potts is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Dylan, who practices law in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Dylan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

J. Shepherd Russell III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Municipal Law, Project Finance Law, Public Finance Law and Securitization and Structured Finance Law. J. Shepherd, who practices law in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which J. Shepherd is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Harry Hamlin has over 20 years of experience advising numerous financial institutions, business entities, REITs and individual clients in all aspects of commercial transactions including complex lending and contractual matters as well as the conveyance, purchase, development and leasing of real property. He also counsels clients on municipal finance, tax exempt, tax credit and 1031 transactions. His expertise in securing liquor permits from the Alcohol Beverage Control division is invaluable ...

Paul B. Benham III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law and Securities Regulation. Paul B., who practices law in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been recognized since 1989. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Paul B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael G. Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Insurance. Michael G., who practices law in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Goodwin is a shareholder and director of Gill Ragon Owen, P.A. Mr. Goodwin’s practice focuses on structuring and documenting corporate and public finance transactions (including commercial loan closings), structuring asset acquisitions and dispositions, and general corporate, securities and real estate development law. Mr. Goodwin serves on the Editorial Board of the Retail Law Strategist, a publication of the International Council of Shopping Centers and is a frequent speaker and a...

Meredith Causey’s practice focuses on electronic discovery and information governance, including the identification, preservation, collection, review, and production of electronically stored information. Ms. Causey also provides counsel to clients on a variety of technology-related issues, including software licensing agreements, cloud computing, and website privacy policies. Before joining the firm, Ms. Causey founded an electronic discovery company, where she counseled clients on elec...