Phillip J. Wells

Stephen R. Giles is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law, Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Stephen R., who practices law in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stephen R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Scott M. Lar maintains a transactional and taxation practice, which primarily focuses on mergers and acquisitions, taxation and tax planning, federal and state tax audits, tax litigation, corporate governance, and estate planning. Mr. Lar represents clients in reorganizations as well as equity and asset acquisitions; tax deferred exchanges; qualified opportunity zone tax incentive program; federal income and transfer tax audits as well as state income and sales and use tax audits. He has also...

James P. Beachboard is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Finance Law, Corporate Law and Real Estate Law. James P., 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 James P. 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...

B.R. Price is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships). B.R., who practices law in Bentonville, Arkansas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which B.R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mike Shannon has over 30 years of experience in complex commercial litigation, with a practice that includes eminent domain, class action defense, products liability, e-discovery, toxic torts, medical malpractice defense, bid protests, and issues affecting the outdoor advertising industry. He has represented a broad range of clients—from multinational manufacturers and financial institutions to closely held businesses and high-net-worth individuals—across various matters, includin...

William A. Waddell Jr. is a member of the firm’s litigation practice group. Bill’s work is focused on litigation and other representation for banks, insurance companies, healthcare entities, and other businesses. He has deep experience in class actions, bet-the-company jury trials, and regulatory litigation.

Steve Lancaster has a commercial litigation practice, primarily in the areas of breach of contract litigation, trust litigation, engineer and architect defense, gaming regulation, title insurance litigation and general commercial dispute resolution. Lancaster is the Chief Operating Officer for Wright Lindsey Jennings and has been with the firm his entire legal career. Lancaster’s more recent experience includes: Counsel for an international oil and gas company in litigation resulting fr...

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.