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 (Elected: 2015 - Present)
- Arkansas Court of Appeals Judge (Elected: 2013 - 2014)
- Circuit Judge, 20th Judicial District (Elected: 2009 - 2012; Appointed by Governor Mike Huckabee: 2007 - 2009)
LAW PRACTICE/TEACHING:
- National Center for State Courts, Certified Faculty (2018 - Present)
- Bowen School of Law, Adjunct Faculty, Assistant Dean.
- Wood Law Firm (Conway)
- Williams & Anderson PLC (Little Rock)
SERVICE
Arkansas Supreme Court
- Supreme Court Commission on Children, Youth and Families - Chair (2014 - Present)
- Supreme Court Committee on Automation (2021 - Present)
- 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
- Long-Range Planning Committee
- Juvenile Judges Committee
- Supreme Court Liaison Committee, Chair
- Teach “New Judge Bootcamp” (2008 - Present)
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 - Present)
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 - Present)
- 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