Paul D. Waddell

Jim Smith is a founding partner of Smith Hurst, PLC. Jim’s practice experience is extensive and spans the full range of business advisory and transactional law. He routinely counsels companies across diverse industries in a myriad of business matters including capital raising, advising Boards of Directors, senior management, executives and controlling shareholders regarding governance and fiduciary duty matters, compliance with regulatory obligations, ordinary course of business contrac...

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.

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.

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.

Kimberly D. Young has been practicing law with Friday, Eldredge & Clark since 2003 and she concentrates her practice in the field of civil litigation, including products liability, intellectual property and premises liability. She has over a decade of experience representing electric and natural gas utilities in Arkansas, including the successful defense of catastrophic injury and wrongful death claims. While she has represented a diverse set of clients in personal injury litigation, most...

Bradley S. Runyon is lead counsel in many medical malpractice cases and conducts all aspects of discovery and defense preparation .He has served as counsel in several medical malpractice jury trials resulting in defense verdicts. Beyond trial, Brad has an active motion and appellate practice and has experience with Alternative Dispute Resolution, having successfully represented multiple clients in mediations in Arkansas. Brad has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America and Mid-South Su...

Lawrence E. Chisenhall, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law. Lawrence E., who practices law in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been recognized since 2003. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lawrence E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Chip Chiles is a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers and a Member of the American Law Institute. He litigates business-related disputes at trial and on appeal in Arkansas and in other states. Chip has represented some of the world’s leading companies in the insurance, pharmaceutical, chemical, finance, communications, food and beverage, financial, and retail industries. His business-litigation practice has included defending...

James M. Saxton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Economic Development Law, Natural Resources Law, Oil and Gas Law and Real Estate Law. James M., who practices law in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been recognized since 1999. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tim Grooms is widely recognized for his high-value and high-complexity real estate work as well as his dedication and commitment to his clients. He represents a diverse clientele including banks, health care providers, real estate developers and owners and brokers in a broad range of transactional matters. With significant experience in both real estate and commercial lending, Mr. Grooms regularly advises and has successfully negotiated hundreds of retail, office, and commercial purchase and ...