James E. Smith

Attorney, Of Counsel

Professional Experience

Jim Smith concentrates his practice in the areas of business insolvency, bankruptcy, debt restructuring and business governance disputes primarily involving family entities and closely held companies.  He has represented debtors, creditors, trustees and committees in connection with numerous Chapter 7, 9, 11, 12, 13 bankruptcy proceedings of all sizes and complexities, including several short line railroads and one commuter airline, municipal improvement districts, hospitals and other regulated entities.  He is a certified civil mediator in Arkansas and restricts his services to his general areas of practice concentration.  From 1979 – 1982, he served as a law clerk for the Honorable Arnold M. Adams, United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas.   Since that time, he has been in private practice.  Jim is a member of the firm’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group, Bankruptcy Practice Group, and Business & Corporate Law Practice Group.

Practice Areas

  • Bankruptcy and Insolvency
  • Businesses, dissolutions and governance disputes
  • Mediation of business disputes

Court Admissions

  • All Arkansas State Courts
  • United States Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals
  • United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas
  • Certified Mediator - Arkansas Alternate Dispute Resolution Commission

Professional Associations

  • American Bar Association
  • Arkansas Bar Association
  • American Bankruptcy Institute
  • Association of Attorney Mediators
  • Former Commissioner of Commission on Lawyers Assistance Programs of the American Bar Association
  • Arkansas Supreme Court Committee Judges and Lawyers Assistance Programs

Community Involvement

  • Member of Board of Trustees of Arkansas Sheriff’s Youth Ranch, Inc.
  • Member St. Paul’s United Methodist Church

Presentation and Thought Leadership

  • Jim is a frequent speaker at Continuing Legal Education programs primarily on topics related to business bankruptcies and reorganizations and limited liability companies.

Noteworthy

  • Recipient of Justice Robert L. Brown Community Service Award
  • Recipient of Arkansas Bar Association Presidential Award of Excellence
  • United States Marine Corp. 1969 – 1972.  Left active duty with the rank of 1st Lieutenant.

Education

  • B.A. Hendrix College, Conway, Arkansas, 1969
  • J.D. University of Arkansas, Bowen School of Law, 1977