The 24th Annual Holy Souls Men’s Club Shrimp & Oyster Dinner was a sell-out success last night.  Food and company were both bountiful and of high-quality.  The proceeds are used to support parish ministries.  Congratulations to all involved for another successful event.

The folks in Gillette really know how to do it right.  There was a packed house for this year’s Coon Supper.  My hard-working advance team for the trip included Co-Chair Paul, Serene Greg, Jay the Affable, and Troy Beckham.  There is something for everybody at the supper: raccoon, brontosaurus ribs, sausage, and brownies.  

The area for protesters was one block over, we snapped a candid of the ringleader on the way out.

Justice William H. Bowen was scheduled to be sworn in today at 1:00 p.m. in a ceremony in Little Rock.  The pride of Altheimer, Justice Bowen volunteered for military service at the age of 19, becoming a commissioned carrier pilot in the Naval Air Corps, and eventually completing his military service as a Lieutenant Commander of the U.S. Naval Reserve.

Justice Bowen received his J.D. from the University of Arkansas School of Law and a Masters of Law in taxation degree from New York University.  He subsequently worked for the U.S. Tax Court and the Department of Justice, before he and his wife, Connie, moved to Little Rock, where he became a partner in the law firm now known as Friday, Eldredge & Clark.  He has also served as President and CEO of Commercial National Bank, President and CEO of First Commercial National Bank, Board Chairman of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Board of Visitors, Chief of Staff for Governor Bill Clinton, and Dean of the UALR School of Law, now named the William H. Bowen School of Law.

A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Justice Bowen is “old school” in the true meaning of the phrase, which has nothing to do with chronological age.  He is always the first to step forward when his country, his state, or his community needs a volunteer.

Congratulations to Justice Bowen, I hope you find your service as Associate Justice a rewarding experience.

Justice Annabelle Clinton Imber’s resignation from the Arkansas Supreme Court was effective yesterday at midnight.  Today marks the second wave of a sea change in the membership of the Arkansas Supreme Court, the first being the 2008 resignation of Justice Tom Glaze.

I had the opportunity to try cases before Justice Imber when she was on the trial bench, and  to orally argue cases to her when I represented clients on appeal to the Arkansas Supreme Court.  Since 2003, I have also had the opportunity to serve with her in our state judiciary.

Much has already been written about Justice Imber’s service to our legal profession and to our judicial system.  Much more will no doubt  be written in the months and years to come about her intelligence and legal acumen, hallmarks of her service.  Personally, I have always appreciated the example she set for all of us with her professionalism and her indefatigable work ethic.

So to Justice Imber as she embarks on her new beginning, I send best wishes.  And for each of us, on the inaugural day of this shining new decade, I wish joy and success, both personally and professionally.

One of the most pleasant of judicial activities is officiating at marriage ceremonies.  When the betrothed are good friends, it makes the ceremony even more enjoyable.  Had a fun time today, and best wishes to Nancy and Luke.  Hats off to Nancy for the single most creative use to date of one my campaign wristbands – as a garter.  Made for an exceptionally well-turned ankle, if I do say so myself.

On a separate joyful topic, special word to WC on the occasion of his 50th as he prepares for the, “birthday party he’s always dreamed of.”

The Oyster Bar has been a staple of LR dining for decades.  The Oyster Bar Event Room was our site tonight for some pre-holiday visiting and fundraising.   Folks came from as far away as Jonesboro and Heber Springs to participate in the evening’s activities.  Special thanks to Michelle Busbea for coordinating the details of a very successful event.

Fourteen years ago a new Little Rock Christmas tradition began, the James Law Firm party.  From its humble beginnings at Vino’s (reportedly eight rowdies crammed around one six-top) the event has become one of the must attend holiday events of the Central Arkansas Greater Metropolitan Statistical Area holiday season.

Lots of fun, fellowship, and one of the best dance bands in the entire state, Ultra Suede, based in Fayetteville.  Thanks to Bill and Patti (Pulaski County Bar Association President) for a fun time.

Each year the legal community in Lonoke County celebrates a wonderful Christmas tradition.  The attorneys, courthouse staff, judges, members of the legal community, and their family and friends get together and have a holiday meal at the courthouse.  When I first started practicing law almost thirty years ago we used to have a similar gathering in Pulaski County. That has gone by the wayside for the most part, it would be nice to get it going again.

I was made to feel very welcome in Lonoke and I appreciate the opportunity to see attorneys and judges I don’t get to see regularly and meet some members of the Lonoke legal and courthouse community I’ve never met.  Special thanks to Ginger Stuart Schafer for inviting me and introducing me around.

Hundreds of friends and family attended Mr. Laser’s 90th celebration at the Little Rock Country Club.  Sure there were lawyers and judges from around the State, but the crowd was composed mainly of people that Sam has touched, from all walks of life.  For those of you who don’t know, Sam is a survivor of Pearl Harbor, and was the starting (his version) guard on the UALR basketball team back in the day.  When I was a young lawyer he gave me the worst courtroom drubbing I ever received practicing law.  From raconteur to consummate professional Sam Laser is a true Renaissance man.  Happy 90th Sam!

The two Little Rock Inns of Court held their annual holiday get-together this week at the Governor’s Mansion.  An overflow crowd enjoyed good food and excellent company.  I’ve had the privilege this year of serving as the President of the William R. Overton Inn of Court.

An Inn of Court is a group of  judges, lawyers, law professors and law students that meet monthly. They share a meal and have a program on issues involving professionalism and ethics.