Amidst soaring national debt, record inflation and a concerning economy, Arkansas is the outlier enjoying low unemployment along with economic growth and expansion. People are leaving other states to live in Arkansas, and we can hardly blame them. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ commitment to economic growth, creating a first-class education system and selling Arkansas to others is paying off.
“I’ve always believed public service matters. I know politicians get a bad wrap, and on occasion, there are bad apples, but by and large, most elected officials simply love the place they call home and want to make a difference for others,” said Stephanie Malone, CEO of the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association. Malone is a former Republican legislator from Fort Smith who worked in economic development for her hometown prior. She says it was serving others, helping those in need and seeing true problems solved by collaborative efforts that attracted her to working with an association made up of Arkansas attorneys.
The association’s members are attorneys who live and work in communities across Arkansas’ 75 counties. Attorneys are the front line in their communities. When Arkansans face injustice, they often end up at a local attorney’s office. Most Arkansans hope they never need an attorney, but when they or someone they love faces a crisis, it is the members of ATLA they turn to. While they are not elected officials or economic developers, attorneys are, indeed, public servants. Every day, lawyers are fighting bullies by standing up for victims of child abuse, elder abuse and countless other difficult situations. When Arkansans face the greatest challenges of their lives, they want a fighter by their side.
“One of the things that has been most interesting to me about our members is that, as I hear their stories, many became trial attorneys because they wanted to help people,” Malone continued. “They have an innate desire to help the little guy. When someone faces a fearful situation alone, they need an advocate.”
Studies nationwide show that attorneys are highly engaged in their communities, give generously to local causes, and volunteer in their churches, local little leagues and other good causes. Trial attorneys are civically engaged. Civic engagement outside of the courtroom among its members captures the spirit of community and service the association desires to keep on the forefront of its mission.
Members find themselves fighting for first responders, women trapped in sex trafficking and Arkansans who have their religious freedoms trampled in corporate America. They take on bad-actor nursing homes that have wronged members of the Greatest Generation. Members of ATLA battle drunk drivers, stand up for children who have been sexually abused, and fight for the sick and injured when their insurance companies automatically deny every claim. These are real life examples of cases ATLA members have fought and won for Arkansas families. Some think heroes wear capes, but those at ATLA know they put on a tie or high heels and head to court to fight for hardworking families.
ATLA exists to support attorneys and the Arkansans they serve. Through continuing education and mentorship programs, the association provides members with indispensable training, assistance, networking and support for their efforts in the trenches. Through conferences and smaller meetings across the state, ATLA works to serve its members through enhanced offerings in legal education. Each year, law changes and court decisions impact Arkansans in significant ways. ATLA works tirelessly to ensure its members are up on these changes, understand their implications and are able to serve their clients with excellence.
One of ATLA’s most critical roles is in advocacy and government relations. Through its staff, lobbyists and active committee structure, the organization closely tracks legislation and assists members of the Arkansas general assembly in legislative drafting. ATLA lobbies to ensure legislation protects each Arkansans’ right to a trial by jury, secures the sacred value of human life and protects hard-working Arkansans. It is critical that legislation never tips the scales in favor of the powerful over the interests of the people. Committed to the law, ATLA’s greatest allegiance is to Arkansas’ constitution and the people it is designed to protect and empower.
The association is always looking forward. To that end, it has worked hard to cultivate a helpful mentoring program for young attorneys. Recognizing the breadth of new talent and the new generation of leaders serving Arkansas in every sector also means each organization must invest in our collective tomorrow by supporting those new leaders.
Attorneys understand that their work is never completely done. Challenges will continue to arise, and it will be critical that well-prepared and thoughtful leaders can meet those challenges. As they serve in their communities, ATLA will work hard every day to support their efforts.
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