History

H. Maurice Mitchell

Since its inception in 1954, Mitchell Williams has enjoyed substantial growth over its 55-year history. The beginnings of our firm are strongly rooted in the values, ambitions and tradition of excellence of one of our founders, H. Maurice Mitchell — a business leader who has become one of Arkansas’ most distinguished attorneys and philanthropists.

The Beginning
Mitchell graduated from law school in 1948 and was licensed to practice law in February of 1949. On track to what would become a successful legal career spanning more than five decades, Mitchell’s course was soon interrupted when, while studying for the bar, he was informed that his previously-filed application with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Unit of the Internal Revenue Service had been accepted. Mitchell upheld his commitment and accepted the job as an agent with the IRS.

After chasing down bootleggers in the Ozark Mountains for only a short period of time, Mitchell decided to leave his position with the IRS to return to his passion for practicing law. Mitchell applied for and was appointed to the position of Assistant Attorney for the Arkansas Revenue Department by then Governor Sid McMath.

On April 1, 1951, Mitchell opened his own office in the Pyramid Building in downtown Little Rock — a place where most lawyers who were actively engaged in the full-time practice of law were located. Armed with only a manual typewriter, a telephone and no secretary, Mitchell soon received an invitation that put him on the path to his success.

In 1952, Little Rock visionary Rodney Parham and his son invited Mitchell to share offices with them, which allowed him the luxury of a part-time secretary. After being elected to the Chancery Court, Parham then arranged for a more experienced lawyer to share an office with his son, but, at the same time, arranged for Mitchell to share offices with local attorney Henry Spitzberg who became one of the founding partners of what is today known as Mitchell Williams.

The Era of Growth
In 1953, Mitchell’s long time friend, Steele Hays, graduated from George Washington University Law School and was working in the office of his father, Congressman Brooks Hays. Mitchell urged Hays to come to Little Rock and share offices with him. Hays accepted his offer and joined Spitzberg, Mitchell and well-known utility attorney, P. A. Lasley. After a few months of sharing offices, Mitchell suggested the formation of a firm.

On January 1, 1954, the firm was created under the name Lasley, Spitzberg, Mitchell & Hays.

Lasley left the firm in 1956 to become associated with another utilities lawyer. Spitzberg ceased active practice in 1973 after suffering a stroke two years earlier, but continued to be of counsel to the firm until his death in 1990. Hays left the firm in 1979 to become a judge on the Arkansas Court of Appeals, and was elected to the Arkansas Supreme Court in 1980 where he served with distinction for 14 years.

In 1979, Allan Gates, former law clerk to U.S. Court of Appeals Eighth Circuit Chief Judge Pat Mehaffy and U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Harry A. Blackmun, left an environmental law practice in Washington, D.C. to join Mitchell.

In 1980, the firm of Williams, Selig & Sayre merged with Mitchell’s firm. This merger brought four additional lawyers, Richard A. Williams, John S. Selig (former Arkansas Securities Commissioner), Eugene G. Sayre, and Jean D. Stockburger, which added a thriving tax, corporate, and securities practice to the firm.

In 1983, former Arkansas Insurance Commissioner, William H.L. Woodyard, III, joined the firm, and the Insurance Regulatory Practice Group was created.

In 1991, the firm officially changed its name to Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, P.L.L.C. as it is today.

In 1992, Ernie Lawrence of Bentonville, Arkansas, merged his practice with the firm, creating an office in Rogers, Arkansas. In 1997, the merger of Ivester & Camp brought three additional lawyers, Hermann Ivester, Robbie Camp and Stan D. Smith.

In 1998, the firm moved its offices to the TCBY Tower, now known as the Metropolitan National Bank Tower, and occupied the 17th, 18th and 19th floors where it is headquartered today.

In 2007, the firm announced its first expansion into Texas with the opening of a third office in Austin. The office saw further growth in July 2008, when it joined with the long-time insurance regulatory and litigation firm of Long, Burner, Parks & DeLargy, PC. Now known as Mitchell Williams Long Burner in the Lone Star state, the strategic move allowed the firm to enhance our service offerings for the hundreds of insurers, healthcare organizations, corporations, financial institutions, trade associations, legislators, and state regulators we represent.

In the same month, Barry G. Skolnick joined Mitchell Williams’ Insurance Regulatory practice, giving the firm its first New York presence.

The Firm of Today
Providing strategic counsel on the challenges facing companies in today’s global marketplace, the attorneys of Mitchell Williams bring together decades of diverse professional experience and extensive relationships to offer clients across the United States the most comprehensive services possible. The firm employs 75 attorneys from offices in Arkansas, Texas, and New York.