Mitchell Williams Retired Partner Hermann Ivester Passes Away

October 13, 2025

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, P.L.L.C. is deeply saddened to announce that retired partner Hermann Ivester passed away on October 9, 2025.  He was 84 years of age.

“Hermann was a long-time partner and friend, and will be greatly missed," said Mitchell Williams Managing Director Jeff Thomas. “He was an accomplished intellectual property lawyer and an engaged community leader who was tremendously respected by his clients and colleagues.”

As an intellectual property lawyer, Ivester represented clients in developing and protecting trademarks and copyrights through litigation and registration for more than 50 years. He was admitted to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

A graduate of Pine Bluff High School, Ivester earned a bachelor’s in electrical engineering from the University of Arkansas and a master’s in electrical engineering from Southern Methodist University. He went on to earn his Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. 

He formerly served as a commissioner of the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, a board member of the Arkansas Military Heritage Foundation and an advisory board member of the Salvation Army, Central Arkansas Area Command. He served as an officer in the United States Army from 1964-1966.

He is survived by his wife Carolyn with whom he shared 62 years of marriage; sons John Alan Ivester (Angelica) and Greg Ivester (Tali), both of Little Rock; grandchildren John, Raley, James, and Veronica Ivester; sister Jane Townsend of Birmingham, Alabama; nieces Melanie Colvin, Hayley Roberson, and nephews James Townsend and Mark Rider.

A memorial service, followed by a visitation, will be held on Monday, October 20, 2025 at 1 p.m. at Fellowship Bible Church, 1401 Kirk Rd, Little Rock, Arkansas 72223. For more information, read Ivester’s obituary here.

About Mitchell Williams

Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, P.L.L.C. is a full-service law firm with Arkansas roots and national reach. For over 70 years, the firm has provided comprehensive legal counsel to corporations, organizations and individuals, handling routine business matters as well as highly complex corporate issues.  From offices in Little Rock, Rogers and Jonesboro, Arkansas and Austin, Texas, Mitchell Williams provides strategic solutions and extensive experience to its valued clients. Learn more at MitchellWilliamsLaw.com.