HOT SPRINGS -- Three barristers who were ending their year-long terms as presidents of the Arkansas Bar Association and its affiliated organizations were honored for their service June 15 at the annual Presidents' Reception in the Grand Lobby of the Hot Springs Convention Center.
They were Arkansas Bar Association President Eddie H. Walker Jr. and Arkansas Bar Foundation President Judge James Cox, both of Fort Smith, and Arkansas Judicial Council President Judge Mary Spencer McGowan of Little Rock. The three were in town along with more than 1,200 members of the Arkansas Bar Association for the association's annual convention, June 15-18.
The yearly convention provides continuing education opportunities and lectures and workshops, but also offers plenty of chances to socialize, network and recognize its longtime and outstanding members.
The 118th annual event kicked off with the wine and hors d'oeuvres reception, followed by the black-tie Arkansas Bar Foundation Fellows Dinner. Events over the four days included a luncheon honoring 50-year members; a long-standing reception hosted by the law firm Friday, Eldredge & Clark LLP in the lobby of the Arlington Hotel; and the Legal Runaround 5K Run. Yet another reception was sponsored by the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, the Arkansas Bar Association and Rainwater, Holt & Sexton.
Speakers at the convention included Travis Tygart, chief executive officer of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, about the problem of athletes using performance-enhancing drugs, Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge.
Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Howard Brill gave a State of the Judiciary address, followed by a swearing-in ceremony for the new Bar Association president, Denise Reid Hoggard of Little Rock.
High Profile on 06/26/2016