Congratulations to Brian Rosenthal, who was awarded the Lawyer Citizen Award at last week’s Pulaski County Bar Association Awards Dinner. The Lawyer Citizen Award recognizes an attorney whose dedication of time, leadership, and service brings distinction to both the legal profession and the community they serve.
Brian is an exceptional attorney. But what has always set him apart is not simply his legal skill or professional accomplishments, but his character. In a profession where integrity matters above all else, Brian has led by example for decades.
Over the years, Brian has been involved in significant legal and business matters across Arkansas, but he has never viewed success as something measured solely by professional achievement. He has always understood that being a lawyer also means being a steward of your community and investing in the future of our profession.
In the 1990s, Brian played a pivotal role in preserving the area that would eventually become the Arkansas River Bike Trail by helping block the expansion of a proposed four-lane highway down Riverside Drive. Because of that vision and advocacy, generations of Arkansans can enjoy one of the most treasured recreational spaces in our state today.
Brian was also involved in completing one of the first Arkansas Brownfields projects. This work helped pave the way for responsible redevelopment and environmental progress in our state long before those efforts became common practice.
His career has also included decades of trusted representation of agricultural companies throughout Arkansas, advising clients through development projects, acquisitions, contracting matters, regulatory compliance, and complex disputes. His counsel has helped support an industry that is foundational to Arkansas’s economy and identity.
And Brian’s influence on the legal profession itself is impossible to overlook.
He was the driving force behind the creation of the Arkansas Legal Hall of Fame, ensuring that the extraordinary lawyers who shaped our state would be honored and remembered. He also helped establish the Arkansas Bar Association’s Public Service Academy, reflecting his deep belief that lawyers have a responsibility to serve beyond the walls of their offices.
As the 122nd President of the Arkansas Bar Association, Brian led with the same thoughtfulness, humility, and professionalism that have defined every chapter of his
career.
But his service did not stop with the legal profession. Brian has long been a supporter of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre and served on its Board of Governors. He also served on the Board of Directors for United Way of Pulaski County, dedicating his time and leadership to improving lives throughout our community.
Brian has devoted his life not only to excellence in the practice of law but to making Arkansas a better place through public service, community leadership, mentorship, preservation, innovation, and unwavering integrity. Congratulations, Brian on this much-deserved award.
