Justice Rhonda Wood
I’ve made the tough decisions. I will uphold the rule of law and the Arkansas Constitution will be my guide.
Justice Rhonda Wood
Justice Wood is in her 17th year on the bench. She has been on the Supreme Court since 2015. Prior to that, she served 2 years on the Court of Appeals and 6 years on the trial court. She was appointed by then Gov. Mike Huckabee and subsequently elected to the trial, intermediate and Supreme Courts of Arkansas.
Justice Rhonda Wood
Judicial Experience
Conservative Judicial Philosophy
Judicial Experience
16 years of experience as a judge and justice.
She has written over 350 appellate opinions and heard almost ten thousand cases.
“My experience and record as a judge show that I’m tried, true, and tested. Having heard more than ten thousand cases in my judicial career and serving as an appellate judge for almost ten years, voters can read
16 years of experience as a judge and justice.
She has written over 350 appellate opinions and heard almost ten thousand cases.
“My experience and record as a judge show that I’m tried, true, and tested. Having heard more than ten thousand cases in my judicial career and serving as an appellate judge for almost ten years, voters can read and evaluate my votes on actual cases and matters of law. There is no guessing what type of Supreme Court Justice I will be.”
Conservative Judicial Philosophy
Judicial Experience
Married to Dr. Michael Wood
Mother to Ashley, Brittney, Kyle, & Sean
Conservative Judicial Philosophy
Conservative Judicial Philosophy
Conservative Judicial Philosophy
Judge Rhonda Wood became a trial judge after being appointed in 2006 by then Governor Mike Huckabee.
“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 first term I’ve done just that, making tough decisions in the fa
Judge Rhonda Wood became a trial judge after being appointed in 2006 by then Governor Mike Huckabee.
“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 first term 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.”
Learn about Justice Rhonda Wood
EDUCATION:
- Bowen School of Law, J.D. highest honors, 1999
- Hendrix College, B.A. magna cum laude, with distinction in Politics
JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE:
- Arkansas Supreme Court, Associate Justice,
2015- current - Elected
- Arkansas Court of Appeals Judge,
2013-2014 - Elected
- Circuit Judge, 20th Judicial District,
2009-2012 - Elected
2007-2009 - Appointed, Governor Mike Huckabee
LAW PRACTICE/TEACHING:
- National Center for State Courts
Certified Faculty (2018- current)
- Bowen School of Law
-Adjunct Faculty
-Assistant Dean, Bowen School of Law.
- Wood Law Firm (Conway);
- Williams & Anderson PLC (Little Rock);
SERVICE
Arkansas Supreme Court
- Supreme Court Commission on Children, Youth and Families - Chair
2014- current
- Supreme Court Committee on Automation
2021- current
- Court Reporter’s Board, Liaison
2015-2021
- ·Court Security Committee
2015-2017
Arkansas Judicial Council
- Education Committee, Immediate Past Chair
- Supreme Court Liaison Committee, Chair
- Juvenile Drug Court Committee, Past Chair
Legislative Committee
- Teach “New Judge Bootcamp” (2008- current)
Arkansas Bar Association
- Delegate – Faulkner and Van Buren Counties
- Delegate – Pulaski County
- Chair – Find-A-Lawyer Committee
- Health Law Executive Council & Legislative Advocate
American Bar Association
- Appellate Judge Education Institute, Education Committee
2019- current
Continuing Education
- Frequent lecturer for bar associations, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts, judicial education, and local community organizations.
Community Outreach
- Lady Justices: Women of the Court Podcast, Founder
- Advisory Council, Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas
(2017-current)
- 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 – Asa Hutchinson ‘06
- 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
- Student Bar Association – Pro Bono Director
- Honor Council Prosecutor
- Moot Court Traveling Team
AWARDS
- Henry Toll Fellowship
- Top Score – Arkansas Bar Exam
- 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
- 1st- Dean’s Distinguished Certificate of Service
PUBLICATIONS
- What it Takes: A Stasitical Analysis of Arkansas Supreme Court's Petition for Review Process. 2022 UA Law Review 44
- How We Read. 24 Green Bag 2d 227 (2021).
- Why law students should be listening to Lady Justice: Women of the Court Podcast - ABA for Law Students. American Bar Association, Student Lawyer October 20, 2020. http://abaforlawstudents.com/2020/10/30/lady-justice-women-of-the-court-podast/
- Contributor, Arkansas Bar Association, HIPAA Preemption Analysis for the State of Arkansas (2003)
- Contributor, Arkansas Bar Association, Arkansas Public Health Bench Book (2009).
Immediate Past
Justice Rhonda Wood connects with community
Since 2015 Justice Wood has Chaired the Arkansas Commission on Children, Youth, & Families
Speaks to community groups across the State of Arkansas
Welcomes the public to the Justice Building & Arkansas Supreme Court
Justice Rhonda Wood packing food for Arkansas foodbanks with Arkansas Bar Association members.