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In Memoriam
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William Christopher
"Chris" Barrier of Little Rock died July 3, 2021, at the age of 78. Chris was a graduate of Hendrix College and Duke University Law School. He practiced law for over 50 years with the Mitchell Williams Law Firm in Little Rock, helping it grow from eight to over 90 lawyers in five offices. He served on and chaired numerous Arkansas Bar Association sections and committees and its governing bodies and was a regular award-winning seminar speaker. He published literally hundreds of columns, law review articles, practice pointers and book reviews, primarily on real estate law. He was recognized as an outstanding pro bono lawyer by Central Arkansas Legal Services, and for his humanitarian efforts by Hendrix and the Arkansas Bar Foundation. He also published and illustrated scores of casual and travel pieces, editorial cartoons and Gridiron playbills.
Joseph Thomas
Clements, Jr., of Little Rock died on November 1, 2020. A Professional Engineer and Attorney, he retired from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1996, and later as Executive Director of the Arkansas State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors in 2007.
The Honorable Vicki Shaw Cook
of Hot Springs died December 18, 2020. Vicki graduated from Oklahoma State University and Bowen School of Law. As an attorney in private practice, she was recognized for her willingness to provide pro bono representation to people in need. She served as a juvenile public defender, helping young people who could not afford legal services. A trailblazer, Vicki was first appointed and then elected multiple terms to the position of judge for the Eighteenth Circuit East in Garland County. Vicki spent the rest of her professional life in this position, presiding from 1992 to 2015.
Donald Howard Henry
of Maumelle died July 5, 2021, at the age of 75. Don graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville with a Bachelor of Science in 1967. After college, Don became a Captain in the United States Air Force where he served as a navigator on KC-135s in the Vietnam War. After his service, Don graduated in 1975 from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Don was a partner at the Little Rock law firm of Mitchell Williams, where he practiced law as a litigator for the rest of his career.
R. Christopher
Lawson, 54, died on April 1, 2021. Chris graduated from Ouachita Baptist University and earned a Juris Doctorate from the Washington & Lee University School of Law. Chris was a partner at the Little Rock law office of Friday, Eldredge & Clark. In 2004, Chris moved his practice to the firm's Fayetteville office. A lifelong supporter of public education, he was proud to join Fayetteville Public Schools as General Counsel in July 2017.
Richard Blake
Marsh of Warren died December 24, 2020, at the age of 65. Blake was a successful practicing attorney and owner of Tri County Title Co. in Warren.
Frank Baucum Newell
of Little Rock died May 6, 2021, at the age of 76. Newell was a deputy prosecuting attorney, a deputy attorney general, a member of the state Public Service Commission and an administrative law judge for the state Workers Compensation Commission. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in English at Columbia University in New York City and a law degree in 1969 from the Columbia University School of Law. He retired in 2019 from the Barber Law Firm.
Douglas Scott Robertson of Conway died April 22, 2021, at the age of 60. He graduated from Hendrix College and the University of Arkansas School of Law. Doug was a valued core member of Whisenhunt Investments for over 25 years.
James Levesque "Jim"
Shaver, Jr., of Wynne died May 27, 2021, at the age of 93. He served as President of the Arkansas Bar Association in 19821983. He served in the United States Navy during World War II. He graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Law at Fayetteville and earned his attorney's license in 1951. He entered the practice of law with his father, Bex Shaver, in the law firm of Shaver & Shaver in Wynne, one of East Arkansas' most prestigious law firms. In 1955, Mr. Shaver was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives and served continuously until his retirement in 1994. He received the Arkansas Bar Association's Award of Merit and Award of Excellence in 1990. He served as legal counsel for the St. Francis Levee District from 1971 until his retirement in 2000.
