Justice Rhonda Wood's Experience
Experience
- Associate Justice, Arkansas Supreme Court
- 2015 - Present
- Judge, Arkansas Court of Appeals
- 2013 - 2015
- Judge, 20thJudicial District Circuit Court
- 2009 – 2013: Elected
- 2007 – 2008: Appointed by Governor Mike Huckabee
- Assistant Dean, UALR Bowen School of Law
- 2003 – 2007
- Taught Business Law and Health Law
- 2003 – 2007
- Williams & Anderson, LLP
- 2001 - 2003
- Wood Law Firm
- 1999 - 2001
- Certified Faculty, National Center for State Courts
- 2012 - Present
- Strategic Planning for Court Systems
- 2012 - Present
Education
- UALR Bowen School of Law
- J.D. with highest honors
- Hendrix College
- B.A. Politics with distinction
- Magna Cum Laude
- B.A. Politics with distinction
Service - Legal
Arkansas Judicial Council
- Juvenile Drug Court Committee, Chair
- Long-Term Planning Committee
- Legislative Committee
- Education Committee, Chair
- Juvenile Judges Committee
- Organize and Teach “New Judge Bootcamp”
Arkansas Bar Association
- · Delegate – Faulkner and Van Buren Counties
- · Delegate – Pulaski County
- · Chair – Find-A-Lawyer Committee
- · Health Law Executive Council & Legislative Advocate
- · Contributor – HIPAA Preemption Guide
- · Contributor – Public Health Law Benchbook
American Bar Association
- Appellate Judge Education Institute, Education Committee
- 2019 - Present
- Presenter on Appellate Education
- 2020, 2021, 2022
Recent Publications:
What it Takes: A Statistical Analysis of Arkansas Supreme Court’s Petition for Review Process. 2022 UA Law Review 44
See How We Read II. 26 Green Bag 2d 61 (2022).
See How We Read. 24 Green Bag 2d 227 (2021).
Service - Community
- Advisory Council, Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas
- Child Welfare Advisory Panel - Gov. Hutchinson appointee
- Juvenile Justice Reform Board - Gov. Hutchinson appointee
- Conway Housing Authority - Hearing Officer
- Conway Interfaith Clinic - Founding Board Member
- Health Care Policy Advisor
- Co-Chair: Faulkner County Lincoln Day Dinners
- Boys & Girls Club - Nominating Committee
- Faulkner County Teen Court - Founder
- Faulkner County Juvenile Drug Court - Founder
- Mock Trial Team - Volunteer Coach, Bowen Law School
Memberships
Professional
- Federalist Society (National and Arkansas Chapter)
- Arkansas Bar Association
- American Bar Association
Law School
- Law Review - Associate Editor
- Christian Legal Society
- Federalist Society
- Young Republicans - President and Founding Member
- Student Bar Association - Pro Bono Director
- Honor Council Prosecutor
- Moot Court Traveling Team
Awards
- Top Score - Arkansas Bar Exam
- Henry Toll Fellow - Council of State Government
- Making an Impact Award - 20th Judicial District Law Enforcement Officers
- Community Leader of the Year Award- Conway Rotary
- Community Service Award - Mental Health Counselors of AR
- Arkansas Business Forty Under Forty
- Arkansas Women’s Professional Business Association’s Elected Official of the Year
- Best of CLE Presentation Award- Arkansas Bar Association
- (2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
- Outstanding Service Award - Arkansas Bar Association
- Outstanding Judicial Newcomer - CASA
- Leadership Award - Citizens for Responsible Government
- Arkansas Law Graduate of the Year
- First Dean’s Distinguished Certificate of Service
Beliefs
Experience Matters
"As a Justice on the Arkansas Supreme Court, I have led countless judicial committees, task forces, and state-wide initiatives for the benefit of all Arkansans. I have also demonstrated that I know how to work as a separate but equal partner with the other branches of government for our common goals. I am the fiscal conservative our judic
"As a Justice on the Arkansas Supreme Court, I have led countless judicial committees, task forces, and state-wide initiatives for the benefit of all Arkansans. I have also demonstrated that I know how to work as a separate but equal partner with the other branches of government for our common goals. I am the fiscal conservative our judiciary needs to monitor the more than fifty million dollars that flows through the Supreme Court and the Administrative Office of the Courts. It’s critical that our court system serves the people of Arkansas effectively while being good stewards of the precious resources we’re allocated.
Accept Responsibility
"The Chief Justice position is one that comes with not only immense responsibility, but opportunity. I’m confident that I have the right experience and judicial temperament to serve in this important role."
Conservative Judicial Philosophy
Conservative Judicial Philosophy
“When I first ran for the Supreme Court, I pledged to bring Arkansas values to our state’s highest court – faith, family, hard-working, conservative values. Throughout my time on the bench, I’ve done just that, making tough decisions in the face of immense pressure. As a member of the court, I will always uphold the rule of law and the Arkansas Constitution will be my guide.”
Community Involvement
Chairing the Arkansas Commission on Children, Youth, & Families since 2015.
Speaking to community groups across the State of Arkansas.
Welcoming the public to the Justice Building & Arkansas Supreme Court