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...

James C. Baker focuses his practice on the areas of casualty insurance defense, commercial and construction litigation. He has first-chaired more than 120 jury trials to verdict and he has represented clients in more than 300 non-jury trials, arbitrations and mediations. J.C. speaks regularly on matters regarding trial practice and workers’ compensation, addressing self-insureds, the Arkansas Bar Association, insurance companies and trade and industry associations. Key Matters Represent...

Doug Buford heads the firm’s Securities and Mergers and Acquisition practice area. He focuses primarily on securities law matters, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance. His practice includes representation of public and private, local and national corporations in various industries, including transportation and logistics, and banking and bank holdings.

H. Wayne Young is a partner with the firm and a member of the Labor and Employment Law Practice Group. He was named the 2017 Russell Gunter Legislative Advocacy Award Recipient by the Arkansas SHRM. The award recognizes outstanding contributions of time and effort in local, state or federal legislative advocacy on behalf of the Human Resources profession. He is a member of CAHRA and was awarded the association’s Legislative Advocacy Award for 2018. He has also been named in The Best Law...

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...

Joseph H. Purvis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Joseph H., who practices law in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joseph H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Amy C. Markham is an experienced litigator focused on assisting businesses with workers’ compensation, construction defect, and catastrophic personal injury cases. She is the Managing Member of Spicer Rudstrom’s Little Rock office, which she assisted in opening in 2011.As a litigator, Amy works to minimize the damages and defeat lawsuits filed against her clients. She has represented business clients in multimillion-dollar litigation, obtaining favorable results ranging from zero ...

Jerry Sallings has been engaged in active trial practice for over 25 years. During that time he has tried approximately 200 jury trials to conclusion dealing with a variety of complex issues. His practice centers on litigation, including nursing home defense, transportation defense, medical malpractice, product liability and tort. Sallings’ more recent experience includes: Lead trial counsel for national nursing home chains and insurers defending multiple lawsuits. Lead trial counsel fo...

Adam D. Franks is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Adam D., 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 Adam D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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.