Presented annually to the chairman of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) William H. Bowen School of Law Moot Court Board and University of Arkansas (UA) School of Law at Fayetteville chairman of the Board of Advocates, each student will receive a scholarship award in the amount of $2,000. The scholarship is named for the firm’s founder and philanthropist Maurice Mitchell, honoring his more than 55 years of service to Little Rock’s business and legal community, as well as his personal philanthropic efforts on behalf of many Arkansas nonprofits.

Hall is expected to graduate in May from UALR’s Bowen School of Law in Little Rock. In addition to serving as Moot Court Board chair, she is a senator for the Student Bar Association, president of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund and earned the Dean’s Certificate of Public Service award in 2009 and 2010 for 100 hours of volunteer activities each year.

Hall has served as a law clerk for the firms of Dyer & Jones and Monterrey & Tellez Law Firm P.L.L.C. in central Arkansas. Prior to attending law school, Hall served as a graphic artist for UALR and as a development intern for local nonprofit Youth Home. She received a Master of Arts degree in Liberal Studies in 2008 and Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts Studies in 2004 from UALR.

Bade is expected to graduate in May from the UA School of Law in Fayetteville. He currently volunteers as a mentor for the Trial Judge Washington County Teen Court, serves as the publications director for the university’s Sports and Entertainment Law Society and is a member of Delta Theta Phi law fraternity.

Bade served as a law clerk for Strong-Garner-Bauer, P.C. in Springfield, Mo. and prior to attending law school worked as a copywriter for Nestle Purina. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications in 2008 from Saint Louis University where he was also a member of the SLU Baseball Team.

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About Mitchell Williams

Providing strategic counsel on a variety of sophisticated legal issues for 55 years, Mitchell Williams brings together decades of diverse professional experience and extensive relationships to offer clients across the United States the most comprehensive services possible. Today, the firm employs 76 attorneys from our offices in Arkansas, Texas and New York. For more information visit MitchellWilliamsLaw.com.

Currently vice president and general counsel for Hendrix College and member of the development team for The Village At Hendrix, a new urban neighborhood including commercial, office and residential uses being developed adjacent to the Hendrix campus in Conway, Schallhorn will join the firm’s business group with a focus on real estate and project finance law.

“Companies and agencies throughout the state are dealing with complex legal and business issues across the board. Scott’s reputation for providing exceptional counsel in these matters only strengthens our existing capabilities,” said Mitchell Williams Managing Director Harry Hamlin. “His range of experience and knowledge gained through 22 years in the project finance and commercial development industries will be a tremendous asset to our clients. Additionally, his affinity and passion for serving the community and working as a trusted advisor on projects that will help sustain its future makes him an ideal fit for Mitchell Williams.”

Schallhorn has significant experience in all types of commercial real estate transactions and residential subdivision development in addition to providing counsel on loans, construction, leasing, acquisitions and financing matters. Prior to joining Hendrix in 2006, he spent 18 years in private law practice as an attorney at Rose Law Firm and Kutak Rock LLP in Little Rock.

In addition to being named to Mid-South Super Lawyers and Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business in Arkansas real estate law, Schallhorn is a member of the Arkansas Bar Association and the National Association of College and University Attorneys, and serves on the board of directors for the Conway Chamber of Commerce and Conway Downtown Partnership. He is also a member and past chair of the board of trustees for First United Methodist Church in Little Rock.

Schallhorn received his J.D. from the University of Arkansas – Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law in 1988 and B.A. in Economics and Business from Hendrix College in 1985.

According to Arkansas Business, honorees are selected based on their impact to the firm and community, and for the potential they show to be a leader in business or politics during the next decade.

Vandiver’s federal court litigation experience includes employment discrimination, disability and religious accommodation, wage and hour, family medical leave, mass layoff/plant closure notice, and criminal background checks.  In addition, his state court litigation experience includes breach of employment and non-compete agreements, trade secrets misappropriation, negligent hiring and retention, and other state common law claims against employers.  He routinely advises and trains management in all areas of employment law and human resources.

Outside of the office, Vandiver serves as an adjunct faculty member for the UALR William H. Bowen School of Law where he has been teaching since 2003. Some of his most notable community efforts include his role in coaching and mentoring students for both the Central High School Mock Trial Team and UALR School of Law Moot Court. He is also the current vice-chair of the board of directors for the Special Olympics of Arkansas where he has served as a board member since 2006.

Vandiver is listed in Best Lawyers in America for Labor and Employment Law (2008 – present); Mid-South Super Lawyers for Labor and Employment Law, and was also named a “Rising Star” by the publication for 2009.  He is a member of both the American and Arkansas Bar Associations where he participates in leadership and committee roles, the United States Commission on Civil Rights (Arkansas State Advisory Committee), Defense Research Institute, The Federalist Society, The Christian Legal Society, Society for Human Resource Management, Central Arkansas Human Resource Association, West Central Arkansas SHRM, North Central Arkansas SHRM, Human Resource Management Association of Arkansas, and Judge Henry Woods Inn of Court.

Formerly the president of Reichel Consulting, Ltd., an independent public policy and government affairs organization representing health insurers, pharmacy benefit managers, health carriers and dental plans with policy, regulatory and government affairs work nationwide, Reichel brings more than 28 years of health law experience that include 11 years of public service at the state level.

“Health care laws and policies are rapidly evolving. Our ability to provide clients with the knowledge and experience needed to understand and anticipate changes related to the new Federal legislation is a critical, core priority of the firm,” said Mitchell Williams’ Managing Director Harry Hamlin. “Ms. Reichel’s record of success and her reputation among health insurers compliment the strategic, client-focused services our team of attorneys already provides. Her established contacts and familiarity in this area of the law will serve as valuable resources to our clients.”

Before starting her firm in 2004, Reichel served as vice president for state affairs for the American Association of Health Plans (AAHP) – a large national trade association representing over 1,100 health and managed care companies across the country.  She also previously worked as the associate commissioner for Life and Health Division of the Maryland Insurance Administration, and earlier for the Maryland Office of the Attorney General, where she provided counsel to the Maryland Insurance Commissioner as well as a host of other regulatory agencies. 

Prior to joining the Attorney General’s office, Reichel was an attorney in private practice specializing in multi-state litigation and providing outside counsel to the Maryland Insurance Commissioner in various receivership actions. She is also former counsel to the Maryland House of Representatives’ Environmental Matters Committee. 

“I have worked with and have known the attorneys of Mitchell Williams for a long time, so I was already familiar with the great work they provide at the national level on behalf of providers,” said Reichel. “I’m thrilled to join the firm at a time when significant changes are being made in the health care arena, and in the role the government will play over the next several years. The recent passage of health care reform is changing the landscape radically. I look forward to helping clients navigate successfully through those changes.”

Reichel is currently licensed to practice in Maryland and is a member of the Maryland Bar – including the Maryland District Court, Federal Trial Bar and Supreme Court Bar – the Maryland State Bar Association, Women’s Bar Association and Montgomery County Bar Association.

Mitchell Williams’ Insurance Regulatory team provides national counsel in virtually every aspect of insurance-related corporate governance, regulatory, transactional, and legislative matters for insurers, reinsurers, health care organizations, managed care entities, trade associations, state regulators and others.

This prestigious award for service through partnership with Austin Habitat was presented by President and CEO Michael Willard at the organization’s annual Volunteer Appreciation Party, held this year at Shady Springs Party Barn in southeast Austin. The award receives its name from the late Millard Fuller who founded Habitat for Humanity International in 1976.

Austin Habitat honored Parks “because of his long-time commitment to affordable homeownership in Austin” according to a news release. Parks first became involved with Austin Habitat 12 years ago when it was recruiting volunteers to blitz build 12 houses in 12 days. Since then, he has worked on 25 homes – a number that holds special significance in Austin Habitat for Humanity’s 25th anniversary year.

Parks originally came to Austin Habitat to fill the free time he had on Saturdays when his daughters entered their teenage years. He also had construction skills, as his grandfather was a carpenter and his father built three of the homes his family lived in. Before long, however, he grew to appreciate the Austin Habitat story on a very personal level.

“I can still remember one of the first homeowners I built with on Cedar Street,” Parks says. “Two years before, she had been unemployed and homeless. When someone asked what she was most looking forward to about her new Habitat home, she replied, ‘No one can tell me I have to leave.’ Every home has a story, and every donor and volunteer is just blessed to be a part of that.”  

Another important part of Parks’ Habitat story is two volunteers he transports to the construction site from Marbridge, a central Texas community for adults with cognitive challenges. Both individuals have been volunteering for eight and seven years respectively, and bring an infectious enthusiasm to the worksite. Parks says they have become two of his closest friends. 

 “He is the quintessential supporter,” said Austin Habitat Development Manager Julie Smith about her nomination of Parks for the award. “He donates a substantial amount every year to our homebuilding program. He volunteers, and recruits other volunteers to the Austin Habitat family. He advocates by speaking about the Habitat mission to groups throughout Austin. He does it all.”

Austin Habitat depends on volunteers like Parks to accomplish its mission of putting people in stable, affordable homes. The Volunteer Appreciation Party was a celebration of the extraordinary efforts of these individuals during the current housing crisis. The event aligned with National Volunteer Week, the theme of which for 2010 is “Celebrating People in Action.”

Parks is a civil trial lawyer with more than 30 years experience and has been certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization as a civil trial specialist since 1984. His trial work includes class action defense, business relationships, government regulation, policy issues for insurers and agents, real estate easements and restrictions.

Mitchell Williams supports Austin Habitat through its Take Time To Give community service initiative that provides monetary and volunteer support to civic and charitable organizations throughout Texas, Arkansas and the region. Additional information about the firm’s efforts and the more than150 organizations it supports can be found at www.TakeTimeToGive.com.

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Fellowship in the College is extended only by invitation, after careful investigation, to those experienced trial lawyers who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality. Lawyers must have a minimum of 15 years of trial experience before being considered for fellowship.

Pruitt’s practice emphasizes products liability defense, particularly in the area of pharmaceutical drug and device litigation, class action litigation, as well as other mass tort litigation.  She was a member of both national trial teams which successfully tried the first two Bellwether cases in the hormone therapy multi-district litigation.

In addition to ACTL, Pruitt is an active member of the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), and recently completed her service on its Board of Directors.  She has also served on the IADC Trial Academy faculty, and is a fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America.  Pruitt is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), the William R. Overton Inn of Court, American Bar Association, and the Defense Research Institute (DRI) where she received a recent appointment by its president to serve on the Public Policy Committee.  Pruitt has also been named to Chambers USA, Best Lawyers In America, Super Lawyers, the International Who’s Who of Product Liability Defense Lawyers, and the Guide to the World’s Leading Product Liability Lawyers.

Pruitt received a juris doctorate with high honors from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1984, where she was a member of the Law Journal and has since taught Trial Advocacy.  Locally, she is a member of the Arkansas Bar Association and has served as chair of the Committee on the Unauthorized Practice of Law and as a member of the Tort Law and Civil Procedure Committees. Pruitt joined Mitchell Williams in 1985 after clerking one year for the Arkansas Supreme Court. 

According to ACTL, membership in the College can never exceed one percent of the total lawyer population of any state or province. Qualified lawyers are called to Fellowship in the College from all branches of trial practice. They are selected from advocates who represent plaintiffs or defendants in civil proceedings of all types, as well as prosecutors and criminal defense lawyers.

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Mitchell Williams’ Take Time To Give program is the firm’s community service initiative that provides monetary and volunteer support to civic and charitable organizations throughout Arkansas and the region. The program has supported more than 150 organizations since its formal launch in 2004 – more than 50 in 2009 alone.

Our House provides the state’s working homeless, including families, children and adults, with food, shelter, clothing and free child care, in addition to a comprehensive job training program to transition people from homelessness into the workforce and permanent, independent housing.

“During this economic time, there are continuing challenges facing many of our neighbors who struggle to make ends meet,” said Harry Hamlin, Mitchell Williams’ managing director. “Our House doesn’t just provide a place to sleep overnight, it provides a means for families and individuals to reclaim their lives and become successful contributors to the community. The crucial services they provide to Arkansas families made Our House an obvious choice for our Take Time To Give efforts this year.”

As part of the 2010 Take Time To Give charity announcement, Mitchell Williams is also hosting a new website dedicated to statewide nonprofits. The new site – www.TakeTimeToGive.com – will launch Feb. 12 and will feature news and events of the many nonprofits in Arkansas and the region. Visitors can learn about upcoming events on the interactive calendar and read the latest nonprofit advocacy initiatives and headlines in the News section. Additionally, nonprofits that are interested in partnering with Mitchell Williams can apply online for sponsorships and support.

Along with the new website, Mitchell Williams will also provide daily news updates and volunteer opportunities through the firm’s new Twitter account, http://twitter.com/taketimetogive.

“We are excited about this next phase of our Take Time To Give program,” said Hamlin. It’s not just about Mitchell Williams’ charitable citizenship and what we are doing anymore – it’s about taking it to the next level to meet our corporate social responsibility to our communities.”

Our House staff, volunteers and board members, along with representatives from many of the 150 Arkansas nonprofits the law firm has supported over the last five years, will attend an event on Feb. 11 at the Clinton Presidential Library to help celebrate the launch of the 2010 Take Time To Give program.

“We are honored to have been chosen by Mitchell Williams as this year’s Take Time To Give beneficiary,” said Georgia Mjartan, executive director of Our House. “The support of their lawyers and staff is remarkable and comes at such a crucial time.  The need is so great right now.  Every day, we have to turn families and children away because we are out of room in the shelter.  This is a tough time for everyone, including corporate donors.  The fact that Mitchell Williams is increasing their giving at a time like this is just tremendous. Their generosity and desire to serve others makes a real and lasting difference in the lives of thousands of working Arkansans.  We are so thankful for their commitment to the community and the state.”

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About Mitchell Williams

Providing strategic counsel on a variety of sophisticated legal matters since 1954, Mitchell Williams combines decades of diverse professional experience with extensive relationships to offer clients across the United States the most comprehensive services possible. Today, the firm employs 75 attorneys from four offices in Arkansas, Texas and New York. For more information, visit www.MitchellWilliamsLaw.com.

About Our House

Our House operates an 80-bed shelter, two “family houses” providing transitional housing for 13 homeless households, an education and job training center, a free childcare center, after-school and summer youth development programs and a feeding program that serves 77,000 meals per year. Our House also offers additional free services that help people transform their lives. Services include parenting classes, addiction recovery groups, counseling, and job search assistance. Visit www.ourhouseshelter.org to learn more.

Vandiver’s federal court litigation experience includes employment discrimination, disability accommodation, wage and hour, family medical leave, mass layoff/plant closure notice, and criminal background checks.  In addition, his state court litigation experience includes breach of non-compete agreements, trade secrets misappropriation, and other state common law claims against employers.  He routinely advises and trains management in the areas of employment law and human resources.

Vandiver comes to Mitchell Williams from the Arkansas labor and employment law firm of Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon & Galchus, P.C. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) Bowen School of Law since 2003, where he teaches Disability Law, Employment Law, and Employment Discrimination Law.

Vandiver has been named a Best Lawyer in America in the area of Labor and Employment Law for the last two years and was named a Rising Star by Mid-South Super Lawyers in 2009.  He is a member of the American and Arkansas Bar Associations, Defense Research Institute, The Federalist Society, The Christian Legal Society, Society for Human Resource Management, Central Arkansas Human Resource Association, Arkansas State Advisory Committee of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, and the Judge Henry Woods Inn of Court.  He also serves on the board of directors for the Special Olympics of Arkansas.

Vandiver received his J.D. in 2000 from UALR and his B.A. in Political Science from Hendrix College in 1997.  From 2000-2001 he clerked for the Hon. Stephen M. Reasoner in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas.

Please join us as we Take Time To Give to the Arkansas Foodbank Network & Capital Area Food Bank of Texas.

Warmest thoughts and best wishes to you and your family for a wonderful holiday and very Happy New Year!

Download our 2009 Holiday e-card here.

More than 400 people are expected to attend the NPD luncheon which recognizes individuals and organizations for their contributions to countless charities and causes in the Northwest Arkansas community. Across North America, more than 100 AFP chapters and nearly 50,000 people will participate in NPD events.

The AFP represents nearly 30,000 members in more than 205 chapters throughout the world working to advance philanthropy through education, training, mentoring, research, credentialing, and advocacy. The Northwest Arkansas Chapter, which represents more than 120 fundraisers, fosters development and growth of fundraising professionals and promotes high ethical standards in the fundraising profession. For more information visit www.afpnwark.org.