Leading industry sources have recognized members of the firm as among the best lawyers in America.
Quattlebaum, Grooms, Tull & Burrow PLLC
- Top Listed in Little Rock and the State of Arkansas in Banking Law
- Top Listed in Little Rock and the State of Arkansas in Commercial Litigation
- Top Listed in Little Rock and the State of Arkansas in Mass Tort Litigation
- Top Listed in Little Rock and the State of Arkansas in Media Law
Kristine G. Baker - Commercial Litigation, First Amendment Law, and Labor and Employment Law
Patrick A. Burrow - Banking Law and Securities Law
E. B. (Chip) Chiles IV - Appellate Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, and Commercial Litigation
Timothy W. Grooms - Real Estate Law
Jeb H. Joyce – Banking Law and Real Estate Law
Steven W. Quattlebaum - Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, and Mass Tort Litigation
Charles L. Schlumberger – Administrative Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, and Commercial Litigation
Michael N. Shannon - Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, and Personal Injury Litigation
Geoffrey B. Treece - Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law
John E. Tull III - Bet-the Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, First Amendment Law, and Media Law
David B. Vandergriff - Banking Law
The Best Lawyers in America bases its listings on a year-long survey of the legal profession in which attorneys nationwide rate the top practitioners in their specialties in their jurisdictions.
Chambers USA’s Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business reviews and ranks individual lawyers and law firms by practice area in each state. Quattlebaum, Grooms, Tull & Burrow PLLC, received the highest ranking possible in the areas of Commercial Litigation and Real Estate for law firms in Arkansas and was also recognized for its Commercial/Corporate practice. Steve Quattlebaum, Tim Grooms, John Tull, Kris Baker, Chip Chiles, Charlie Schlumberger, and Cliff McKinney received recognition in the publication’s rankings of individuals.
As to the firm’s litigation practice, the publication noted: “Arkansas institution Quattlebaum Grooms has an excellent reputation across a range of disputes. The experienced group is known for its expertise in toxic tort, class action claims and contractual litigation.” Sources commented that they “have the utmost confidence and trust in this high-caliber team”.
For real estate, Chambers remarked: “This high-caliber group is regarded as an authority on the full range of real estate matters. It has represented a large department store in its recent acquisitions and dispositions, and has provided invaluable advice on issues such as the horizontal property regime. In addition, the team has expertise in the law relating to the development of sustainable and energy efficient buildings.”
The following shows Chambers’ recognition of the firm and its attorneys:
Quattlebaum, Grooms, Tull & Burrow PLLC
Commercial Litigation (Band 1)
Real Estate (Band 1)
Corporate/Commercial (Band 3)
Kristine G. Baker – General Commercial Litigation (Band 4)
E. B. (Chip) Chiles IV - General Commercial Litigation (Band 3)
Timothy W. Grooms - Real Estate (Band *) and Corporate/Commercial (Band 2)
J. Cliff McKinney II – Real Estate (Band W)
Steven W. Quattlebaum - General Commercial Litigation (Band *)
Charles L. Schlumberger – General Commercial Litigation (Band 4)
John E. Tull III - General Commercial Litigation (Band 2)
Key
* - Star (above rank 1)
W - Associates to Watch
E. B. (Chip) Chiles IV - Business Litigation
Timothy W. Grooms - Real Estate
Steven W. Quattlebaum - Business Litigation
Charles L. Schlumberger - Business Litigation
John E. Tull III - Business Litigation
David B. Vandergriff - Business Litigation
Kristine G. Baker - Business Litigation
J. Cliff McKinney II - Real Estate
Super Lawyers bases its listings on ballots sent to lawyers in practice more than five years. After receiving nominations, Super Lawyers analyzes the background and experience of each lawyer. Finally, a blue ribbon peer panel evaluates candidates from their practice areas. Only five percent of all lawyers in the state are selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers.Mid-South Super Lawyers included Mr. Quattlebaum, Mr. Grooms, and Mr. Tull in a list of the Top 50 Lawyers in Arkansas. The selection process for Rising Stars is similar to that for Super Lawyers. No more than two and one half percent of lawyers in the state are named to the Rising Stars list.
Steven W. Quattlebaum
Mr. Quattlebaum was recently selected as a member of the Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America for the third year in a row. Selection to this elite group comes through a group of veteran legal journalists who review reports on thousands of outstanding lawyers practicing in nearly 100 different areas. From that group, 3,000 lawyers and judges are selected as finalists from which the 500 leading lawyers are chosen by Lawdragon. Fewer than .01 percent of all lawyers in the United States are included as members of the Lawdragon 500. Lawdragon noted that “Quattlebaum’s quick wits served him well for herbicide makers, wood treatment facilities, plus Uniroyal Chemical when it faced Superfund litigation.”
Quattlebaum, Grooms, Tull & Burrow PLLC
The firm was recently recognized in the 2010 edition of Benchmark: America’s Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys as one of only five “highly recommended firms” for litigation in Arkansas. Comments about the firm included that the firm has “established a dynamic presence in Arkansas”. The publication also acknowledged Steve Quattlebaum and John Tull individually.
Jennifer Merritt has been selected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Association of Women Lawyers as the Development Chair for the 2010-2011 year. This is Ms. Merritt’s second year to serve on the AAWL Board and her third year of service on the Development Committee. AAWL’s Development Committee is responsible for raising funds for the AAWL Scholarship Fund at the annual Holiday Brunch & Auction. All proceeds of the brunch go to the Scholarship Fund, which financially supports deserving Arkansas law students who excel in academics, leadership, and community service.
QGTB is pleased to welcome two associates to the firm, R. Ryan Younger and Nicholas E. Kelley. Mr. Younger graduated summa cum laude from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 2008, and was the top-ranked student in his law school class. He was an Arkansas Bar Foundation Ethics Scholar, University of Arkansas School of Law Presidential Scholar, and served as Research Editor of the Arkansas Law Review. Prior to joining the law firm, Mr. Younger served as a law clerk to the Honorable Robert T. Dawson, United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas. Mr. Younger received his B.A. in Economics and Political Science from the University of Arkansas and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Mr. Kelley obtained his J.D. in 2010 from Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law and received The American Bar Association Section of Labor and Employment Law and the Bureau of National Affairs Award for excellence in the study of labor and employment law. He participated in the Robert F. Wagner National Labor and Employment Law Moot Court Competition, served as a member and officer of the Environmental Law Society, and volunteered with Court Appointed Special Advocates. Mr. Kelley graduated from the University of Georgia in 2006, receiving a B.B.A. in Real Estate and Finance. Both attorneys will practice primarily in litigation and be officed in the Little Rock location.
Kristine Baker has been selected for inclusion in the 2010 “Forty Under 40” class by Arkansas Business. Honorees were selected from hundreds of nominations and are identified by the publication as “up-and-comers that readers of Arkansas Business need to get to know”. Kristine and all of the honorees are profiled in the June 14, 2010, edition.
Quattlebaum, Grooms, Tull & Burrow PLLC sponsored the 112th Annual Meeting of the Arkansas Bar Association held June 9-12, 2010, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Cliff McKinney of the firm will serve as Meeting Chair for the 113th Annual Meeting to be held in June 2011.
Kristine Baker and Benecia Moore have been appointed to the Arkansas Bar Commission on Diversity for the 2010-2011 year by Arkansas Bar Association 2010-2011 President Jim L. Julian. This will be Ms. Baker’s third year to serve on the commission. The Arkansas Bar Association and its members participate in a variety of programs and services for the legal profession and society. Among the purposes of the Association are advancing the administration of justice in Arkansas and fostering high ideals of integrity, learning, and public service among its members.
Associate Nathan Tyler was elected to the Board of Directors for the Downtown Little Rock Partnership at its recent annual meeting. Mr. Tyler will serve a three year term on the board. Downtown Little Rock Partnership is a nonprofit organization representing its members in pursuit of a remarkable urban experience by advocating for planning, legislation, transportation, economic development and numerous public and private initiatives that strengthen the overall downtown business, cultural/entertainment/recreational, and residential community, and enhance the image of downtown Little Rock. Membership consists of businesses and individuals that are located in Downtown Little Rock, and have made a commitment to support the Downtown Little Rock Partnership in its mission. QGTB has been a member of the Downtown Little Rock Partnership since the formation of the law firm in 2000 and Steven W. Quattlebaum of the firm previously served on the Board of Directors.
Quattlebaum, Grooms, Tull & Burrow PLLC recently participated in the Pulaski County Corporate Trivia Challenge, an annual fundraising event for Economics Arkansas. Each year, local community leaders and businesses around Arkansas participate in this fun-filled event where teams compete to match one another’s wit and trivia knowledge. The QGTB team of Joe Falasco, Chad Pekron, Brad Dowler, and Jamie Dempsey prevailed through three rounds to claim Second Place in the 2010 competition. Economics Arkansas is a private, non-profit, non-partisan, educational organization founded in 1962 to promote economic literacy in Arkansas.
QGTB was proud to be a sponsor of DRI’s Toxic Torts and Environmental Law Seminar held in New Orleans, Louisiana, in March 2010. This seminar provided attendees the opportunity to learn about many of the latest scientific, medical, and legal developments impacting toxic torts and the changing legal landscape from nationally recognized lawyers and scientists. DRI – The Voice of the Defense Bar is an international membership organization of nearly 23,000 attorneys defending the interests of business and individuals in civil litigation.
J. Cliff McKinney II was recently honored at the Mid-Year Meeting of the Arkansas Bar Association held on January 21 – 22, 2010, in Memphis, Tennessee. Cliff received the Judith Ryan Gray Young Lawyer Service Award for his extraordinary service and contributions directed toward improving the administration of justice and promoting the public welfare on behalf of the Arkansas Bar Association. Judith Gray, namesake of the award, was hired by the Arkansas Bar Association in 1967 and for 40 years dedicated herself to ensuring that each Bar member was respected and valued. She worked tirelessly to better the legal profession and the Arkansas Bar Association. Cliff also served as co-chair of the 2010 Mid-Year Meeting.
QGTB has announced the promotion of three attorneys to membership in the firm: Joseph R. Falasco, J. Cliff McKinney II, and Chad W. Pekron. All three were previously Associates with the firm and are located in the Little Rock office. Steven W. Quattlebaum, a founding member of the firm, said, “Each of these attorneys has consistently exemplified dedication to providing excellent service for our clients and the highest level of performance as lawyers and colleagues”.
Quattlebaum, Grooms, Tull & Burrow PLLC, was privileged to once again sponsor a holiday party for the local chapter of United Cerebral Palsy. The law firm received wish lists from the UCP clients and firm employees then donated their time and money to shop for and wrap the requested items. Several representatives of the law firm attended the party on December 17, 2009, where the excited clients enjoyed cupcakes, opening their gifts, singing holiday songs, and posing for photos with Santa Claus. Click here to see some photos.
Cliff McKinney has been appointed to the Arkansas Legislative Task Force on Sustainable Building Design and Practices. This task force is established, in part, to: continue to review, discuss, and advise on issues related to sustainable design practices for buildings; monitor case-study projects and evaluate performance and outcomes relevant to high-performance building strategies; and serve as a reference for educational resources. Mr. McKinney was also recently elected Secretary/Treasurer of the State Board of the Arkansas Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. As a nonprofit chapter of the national U.S. Green Building Council, the Arkansas Chapter seeks to create a legacy for future generations based on responsible planning, design, construction, and operation of the state’s buildings, landscapes, cityscapes, and neighborhoods. In 2008, Mr. McKinney was the first attorney in the State of Arkansas to obtain the status of LEED® Accredited Professional.
Our firm was proud to return as the Shining Star Sponsor for the Arkansas Association of Women Lawyers Annual Holiday Brunch & Auction which was held on December 5, 2009, and raised a record-breaking amount of funds for law student scholarships. A few of the many purposes of AAWL include: To further the interests of women lawyers and their service to the legal profession; foster public service and high standards of conduct; improve the judicial and legal process and the science of jurisprudence; encourage practices that would advance and improve the honor and dignity of the legal profession; and to encourage the legal profession and its individual members to perform and to discharge more effectually their responsibilities in the public interest.
QGTB was proud to be a sponsor of the Arkansas Rice Depot 2009 Annual Luncheon where four Arkansans were honored for their efforts to provide food to the hungry. Katya Lyzhina received the Rice Depot Volunteer of the Year award; Former U.S. Senator David Pryor and his son, U.S. Senator Mark Pryor, received the Lincoln Humanitarian Award; and Laura Rhea, Arkansas Rice Depot President and Chief Operating Officer was honored for her 25 years of service. For 27 years, Arkansas Rice Depot has worked to alleviate hunger in Arkansas and each year distributes more than 6 million pounds of food in Arkansas. Sarah Keith-Bolden and Cliff McKinney serve on the Arkansas Rice Depot Board of Directors.
Joe Falasco has been awarded the Arkansas Exceptional Service Medal by Governor Mike Beebe. The medal was presented to Mr. Falasco by two representatives of the Arkansas National Guard, Colonel Charles Singleton, State Judge Advocate, and Captain Tom Lee, Staff Judge Advocate, in appreciation and recognition of his successful pro bono representation of an active duty member of the Arkansas National Guard. The Arkansas Exceptional Service Medal is awarded by the Governor to civilians or military personnel for exceptional meritorious service to the State of Arkansas. Mr. Falasco was recognized for his nearly 100 hours of pro bono legal work on the guardsman’s case which began in circuit court in July 2007 and culminated with a favorable ruling from the Arkansas Supreme Court in June 2009. Click here to see photos from the ceremony.
In May 2009, Steve Quattlebaum served as lead trial counsel in a two week toxic tort trial in which the plaintiff claimed that arsenic used by poultry companies caused his leukemia. The jury found in favor of the defendants after only two hours of deliberation.