Robert L. "Rob" Beard

Robert S. Shafer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. Robert S., who practices law in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Robert S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michelle Ator is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Michelle, who practices law in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michelle is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Casey Castleberry is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Casey, 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 Casey is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Jay T. Taylor is a partner in the firm’s Real Estate/Commercial Transactions Practice Group. Jay’s practice is focused heavily on commercial financing transactions. Jay has substantial experience structuring and closing New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) transactions, renewable energy tax credit transactions, low-income housing tax credit transactions and conventional commercial real estate and commercial/industrial lending transactions. Jay is nationally recognized as a qualified acti...

Todd Wooten is a Partner in our office in Little Rock, Arkansas, and he has tried more than 165 cases over a legal career spanning a quarter of a century. He focuses his practice on aging services, construction, medical malpractice, and professional malpractice and ethics matters as well as a wide range of other business disputes and liability matters, and he has first-chaired numerous complex cases in federal and state courts. Todd takes the time to understand each client’s long-term b...

Michael S. Moore is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Michael S., who practices law in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Patrick Spivey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law and Litigation - Real Estate. Patrick, 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 Patrick is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Melissa Bandy advises businesses and individuals on commercial transaction matters including lending, real estate, corporate governance, entity formation and general business. She also represents restaurants, retailers and hotels in securing liquor permits from the Alcohol Beverage Control Division.

John William (“Bill”) Spivey III has practiced with the firm for over 35 years in a number of areas, including commercial real estate, zoning and land use, municipal and corporate finance, municipal government, banking and finance and acquisitions. He currently serves as Team Leader for the firm’s Business Team and formerly served the firm as Financial Partner. Spivey’s recent experience includes: Counsel to major real estate development firm in connection with its lan...