Michael B. Phillips

Ryan O’Quinn is a transactional attorney with a practice emphasizing estate planning, trust and probate administration, taxation, tax planning, audits, and corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions. He is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® in Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. His experience includes: Advising clients involved in 1031 exchanges, including reverse and construction exchanges; Representing institutional trustees administering trusts with assets ra...

Allan Gates practices in the areas of environmental law and litigation. He is counsel to private parties, public interest groups, and trade associations in environmental regulatory matters and appears regularly before state agencies, including the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment and the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission. Allan also serves as defense counsel in hazardous waste and Superfund actions before state agencies, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ...

Stephen Hester is an award-winning attorney with a focus on civil litigation. He concentrates his practice on Business and Commercial Litigation, Tort Litigation, and Business Transactions. As a litigator, Stephen has successfully represented individuals and businesses of all types including banks, manufacturers, hospitals, and nursing homes. He has represented architects, engineers, and lawyers in malpractice litigation. He has significant experience with litigated bankruptcy matters, fraudu...

James P. Beachboard is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Finance Law, Corporate Law and Real Estate Law. James P. practices law in Little Rock, Arkansas Best Lawyers has recognized James P. Beachboard since 2010. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which James P. Beachboard is held by othe...

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 Johnson is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Commercial Litigation. John practices law in Little Rock, Arkansas Best Lawyers has recognized John Johnson since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which John Johnson is held by other lawyers.

Sarah C. Jewell is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Sarah C. practices law in Fayetteville, Arkansas Best Lawyers has recognized Sarah C. Jewell since 2021. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Sarah C. Jewell is held by other lawyers.

Mr. Falasco has extensive trial experience across a range of complex legal matters, focusing on business and real estate litigation, product liability, class actions, and appeals. Mr. Falasco was the lead appellate counsel who won a reversal and dismissal of a $10 million dollar judgment in a construction litigation matter. He has successfully represented a health insurance company through appeal in connection with claims prosecuted through the Arkansas Insurance Department. He has served as ...

Derrick Smith is an experienced strategic advisor and advocate assisting national and regional clients in insurance regulatory law, compliance, investigative, and legislative matters. He represents insurance clients in their interactions with state insurance departments throughout the United States providing counsel on insurance law and regulatory compliance. He has substantial experience representing regulated businesses and entities in all aspects of government relations including legislati...

Brian Pipkin provides legal counsel and regulatory guidance to insurance companies, insurance agencies and producers, health plans, managed care companies, and other insurance and health care related entities, on a national basis. He has extensive appellate experience in cases before the federal courts of appeals, state supreme and intermediate appellate courts, and federal and state administrative agencies.