John Kooistra III

Audra Hamilton has more than 20 years of experience representing employers in all phases of litigation, arbitration and administrative conflicts. Her extensive experience includes representation of companies of all sizes in the energy, health care, construction, public utility and service industries. In addition to her private practice experience, Audra has been the in-house employment counsel and executive in charge of human resources for a publicly traded energy company, giving her internal...

Ryan Younger handles disputes involving contracts, fraud, deceptive trade practices, trade secrets, insurance, products liability, government regulation, and other matters. He represents clients ranging from individuals to multi-national corporations. He has extensive experience in state and federal courts across the nation and has served as first-chair trial counsel and lead lawyer for appeals. He has defended clients in multiple multidistrict litigation proceedings. Mr. Younger also represe...

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.

Laura H. Smith is a partner in the firm and a member of the Medical Malpractice Practice Group and her particular emphasis is on defending catastrophic injury cases. Laura’s clients benefit from her experience in defending these cases as lead counsel in more than 80 jury trials for more than 30 years. Because of her track record, she is often called upon to serve as regional counsel in major litigation.

Abbie Decker Rucker is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Abbie, 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 Abbie is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David L. Jones is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law, Education Law and Litigation - Construction. David L., who practices law in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Christopher Heller works primarily in the areas of Commercial Litigation, Labor and Employment Law and Education Law. The majority of his practice consists of trial and appellate work. He primarily represents businesses and public entities in class actions and other cases involving natural resources, insurance, trade secrets, employment, civil rights, education, contracts and other issues. Chris is listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation, Bet-the-Company Litigation, La...

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...

John B. Peace, an attorney at Wright, Lindsey & Jennings LLP, in Little Rock, Arkansas, practices in the area of tax law, business organization, estate planning, trusts and estates, and tax law. Mr. Peace has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1977. Mr. Peace was born in Camden, Arkansas in 1951. He was admitted to the Arkansas bar in 1977 after graduating from the University of Arkansas – Little Rock’s Bowen School of Law with honors. During that time, Mr. Peace was a m...

Kelly W. McNulty is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Commercial Litigation. Kelly W., who practices law in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kelly W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.