UA trustee to open D.C. lobbying firm

Justice’s spouse declining state clients

University of Arkansas trustee and high-profile class-action lawyer John Goodson of Texarkana plans to open a lobbying firm in Washington, D.C., within the next six months, Goodson said Friday.

The firm will be available for general lobbying work, though Goodson said he's decided not to lobby on behalf of Arkansas clients or interests. Asked why, he said, "I've just decided not to."

Goodson, who is married to Arkansas Supreme Court Associate Justice Courtney Goodson, said he's been working to start the firm for eight or nine months. He's buying a 3,500- to 4,000-square-foot office near Capitol Hill.

"We're interviewing people now," Goodson said in an interview. "We may not be successful. Who knows?"

Goodson said his work often has taken him to Washington over the years to deal with government agencies and others.

"I'm intrigued by it," he said.

He expects his longtime Texarkana law partner, Matt Keil, to be involved in the new law and lobbying effort. Other information, such as the name of the new business, its address and other associates and employees, won't be settled and announced for several more weeks, Goodson said.

A Texarkana native, Goodson is known at home as one of the state's most successful class-action lawyers, suing national companies on behalf of consumers, winning or forcing settlements worth tens of millions for the consumers, and to Goodson and his co-counsels.

Goodson said Friday that he's been more involved in recent years in securities, antitrust and patent work all over the country, rather than class-action suits in Arkansas against national companies.

Goodson also is a significant campaign contributor to federal, state and local candidates, according to state and federal campaign finance disclosure records.

Former Gov. Mike Beebe appointed Goodson to the UA board of trustees in 2011. Goodson married his wife, then Courtney Hudson Henry, that same year.

Goodson, 56, has contributed more than $350,000 to state and federal candidates and political groups since 2002, according to data from the National Institute on Money in State Politics, a nonprofit headquartered in Helena, Mont., that tracks campaign contributions.

Those records show he has given to Democrats and Republicans, including more than $30,000 each to the National Republican Congressional Committee in 2013 and the National Republican Senatorial Committee in 2011, and two gifts of $30,000 each to the Democratic National Committee in 2012 and 2009.

In Arkansas, Goodson has donated to Democrat Beebe's gubernatorial campaign and U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, a Republican, among other state and local candidates, the institute's records show.

Despite setting up an office in Washington, Goodson said he plans to commute often to Arkansas.

"I travel all the time right now in my business. Home is Arkansas," he said.

Business on 08/01/2015

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