Bio
Rick focuses his practice on commercial litigation and regulatory/administrative law. He has tried over 100 cases to verdict before juries and judges in both state and federal court. His appellate practice includes cases before the Arkansas Supreme Court and Court of Appeals and the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Additionally, Rick regularly practices before regulatory agencies including cases before the Arkansas Securities Commission and arbitrations and mediations before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
He also serves as the professional ethics counsel to the firm. In that role, he advises firm attorneys on matters of legal ethics, which is highly regarded.
Areas of Service
Experience
- Breach of Contract: Jury verdict in favor of a medical device distributor against a regional hospital
- Business Torts: Jury verdict in favor of an electrical product distributor in a tortious interference with contract case
- Securities Litigation: Settlement in a case involving violations of the Arkansas Securities Act
- Trade Secrets: Verdict for a manufacturer in a case arising under the Arkansas Trade Secrets Act in which the verdict was upheld on appeal to the Arkansas Supreme Court thus establishing the requisite elements of such a claim
- Intellectual Property: Representation of a manufacturer in a matter involving the scope of an assignment of intellectual property rights
- Class Action Defense: Representation of a financial institution in a consumer class action case; Presented oral argument before the Arkansas Supreme Court in a class action against a national long-term care provider
- Lender Liability Defense: Summary judgment for a lending institution arising from a commercial loan
- Debtor/Creditor: Successful representation of a national wholesaler in the collection of $20 million judgment
- FINRA: Settlement of a claim against a major broker/dealer arising from unsuitable investment advice
Honors
- Chambers USA Leading Lawyers – Litigation: General Commercial, 2015-2020
- Best Lawyers in America – Commercial Litigation; Bet-the-Company Litigation, Litigation – Banking & Finance, and Litigation – Securities
- 2019 Best Lawyers – Little Rock Litigation/Construction “Lawyer of the Year”
- 2015 Little Rock Litigation – Securities “Lawyer of the Year”
- Mid-South Super Lawyers – Business Litigation; Corporate Counsel Edition – Business Litigation
- 2020 Mid-South Super Lawyers Top 50 in Arkansas
- Litigation Counsel of America – Fellow
- Benchmark Litigation – Local Litigation Star
Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- Arkansas Bar Association
- Pulaski County Bar Association
- American Board of Trial Advocates
- Henry Woods American Inn of Court, Master of the Bench
- St. Thomas More Society
Education
- University of Arkansas School of Law, Juris Doctor (Honors)
- Member, Arkansas Law Review
- University of Arkansas, Bachelor of Arts
Admissions
- Arkansas
- U.S. Supreme Court