Cecily Patterson Skarda

Cecily Patterson Skarda

4.7
Rating: 4.8

Licensed for 27 years

Family Lawyer at North Little Rock, AR
Practice Areas: Family, Estate Planning, DUI & DWI, Personal Injury

P. O. Box 95005, North Little Rock, AR

About Cecily

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Arkansas for 27 years

State: Arkansas

Acquired: 1998

Active

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2023

Location

Skarda Law Firm

P. O. Box 95005, North Little Rock, AR, 72190

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Cecily Patterson Skarda's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.7 /5.0

14 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (14) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 7 reviews | Professionalism

Posted by Amanda | February 26, 2026 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Very GOOD lawyer worth the money

Cecily is the attorney you absolutely want on your side when facing a tough divorce. She stood by me every step of the way and fought strategically against every angle the other party tried. Her knowledge of the law is impressive, and she is not afraid to stand firm when it comes to doing what is rig...ht. Beyond divorce cases, Cecily is also incredibly compassionate and skilled when helping families with powers of attorney, living wills, and court orders for loved ones in need. She takes the time to explain everything clearly and truly cares about her clients and their families. She is an all-around outstanding attorney — knowledgeable, determined, and dedicated. She also handles criminal cases, so if you need strong representation, I highly recommend giving her a call.

Posted by anonymous | May 16, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Ethics & Professional Responsibility

HIRE IF YOU WANT TO BE DISAPPOINTED AND LOSE YOUR CASE

Doesn’t stay in communication with her clients. Refuses to provide an engagement agreement that she has been officially reprimanded for by the Arkansas Supreme Court. https://attorneyinfo.aoc.arkansas.gov/info/attorney/Attorney_Search_Detail.aspx?ID=b581cff6-1ab4-4423-b2a9-171d796c94ba Tells you to... “Stop!” when you email her information that is pertinent to your case. (screenshots available) Yells and curses at you on the phone (phone recordings available). Ignores numerous requests to meet with her. Refuses to keep you posted on the status of your case and acts like it’s an imposition when you ask for updates that she should be giving regularly. So much more to say, but not enough room here. If you’re looking for an attorney who will ignore your calls and emails, not provide you with an engagement agreement outlining what they are doing for you and for how much, will curse and yell at you when they actually do call you back, will keep you in the dark, will refuse to provide you case documents they have received from the other party, etc., then Cecily is your girl. A grievance is going to be filed with the Supreme  Court Office of Professional Conduct. This abhorred behavior is NOT okay.

Posted by Barbara | June 24, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

A Lawyer that works hard for you!

We contacted Cecily Skarda because of her reputation of protecting her clients with dedication and focus. Our child custody case was not only challenging, but extremely emotional. Ms Skarda was dedicated to the case and worked hard for us. Her many years of experience was beneficial in successfu...lly resolving our case. We highly recommend Cecily Skarda to anyone needing a family law attorney. Barbara

Posted by Jim | August 09, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Outstanding

Not every case needs a GUNSLINGER, but sometimes you just do. I have more than 30 years experience in the criminal justice system and generally do not like lawyers, probably like most people. That changes when you need one. She is an excellent litigator and I recommend her hands down ten out of te...n times. She won't answer the phone when you need a lawyer hug, but when it comes down to the heart of the matter and needing someone on your side and in your corner that can get it done, she's your Huckleberry. If you need a chihuahua, I know a guy in Conway. If you need a real deal lawyer, her number is attached to this review. Call her.

Posted by Rebecca | October 28, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Family

I would recommend her to anyone for family law

Cecily Skarda is a phenomenal family lawyer. I consulted Cecily in Feb 2012, for a custody case. After reviewing the divorce decree she was very straight forward, it would be an expensive uphill battle, and she could not promise me anything would change. She suggested I think about it a couple of day...s and get back to her. Her honesty impressed me, she did not want to make any promises that she couldn't keep. Cecily works alone, which can be a double edged sword. She does all her own work and meticulously prepares for her cases. However, that means she is not always able to answer the phone, or return a call as soon as you might like. The first go around I was a little nervous. I had friends who had been through similar litigation and spoke to their lawyer, or secretary often. I really was not sure how things would go, and legal representation is not cheap. All my fears were put behind me once we stepped in the court room. She is incredible on her feet, knows the law, and is passionate about her cases. I realized just because I didn't know what she was doing, didn't mean she didn't have a plan. I learned to trust her and realized I paid her to worry so I didn't have to. About a year later I had to hire her again. This time it was much easier. I still didn't know every detail of what was going on, but I knew it didn't matter. She had it covered. In all I have been in the court room 4 times, and seen her go head to head with 3 different lawyers. ( The opposing party changed counsel 3 times) I was more impressed every time. There were bumps along the way, procedural things that didn't go our way. However at the end of the day when it mattered, we prevailed. I ended up with more than I originally was going to ask for, and that is because she did not quit or give in. I would recommend her to anyone who wants to prevail in the court room. She will not caudle you and reassure you every step of the way, but that's what friends are for. She however knows how to litigate and win a case, and that is all that really matters anyway. She did an outstanding job, and I can not say enough good things about her. I have had friends that hired her and she did just as good of a job for them. My advice to anyone that chooses Cecily to represent them. 1. Be honest, brutally honest, when your lawyer is surprised that is never a good thing. 2. TRUST HER. Do your job and give her any information that might be of assistance, and she will put it to good use.

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Cecily Patterson Skarda's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Cecily
Cade Lee Cox headshot
Cade Cox

Family lawyer | Apr 27

Relationship: Co-worker

"Cecily is aggressive and smart. I know she'll fight hard for her clients."

James Earl Hensley Jr. headshot
James Hensley

Family lawyer | Oct 30

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Outstanding attorney. Cecily's ability and persistence is incredible. She sees the big picture of a family law case. She always considers the children in these volatile cases. And she aggressively represents her clients. She knows all the issues in family law and after almost two decades of battling in most of the Arkansas Courts is well-respected by her peers, judges, and hundreds of clients. I regularly send clients to her."

Gregory E. Bryant headshot
Gregory Bryant

Family lawyer | Oct 30

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Outstanding, aggressive and fair, both in her fees and with opposing counsel. Integrity beyond reproach. Judge's pretty much do what she want."

View All Endorsements
James Earl Hensley Jr. headshot
James Hensley

Unknown lawyer

Gregory E. Bryant headshot
Gregory Bryant

Unknown lawyer

Experience

Rating:  4.8 (Concern)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2023.

Reprimand issued in AR, 2023

updated on 11/02/2023

This means the attorney did something wrong, but the Bar did not suspend the lawyer. Typically in this case the lawyer's poor behavior is exposed to the public in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior.

Caution issued in AR, 2010

updated on 01/29/2013

A caution means that an attorney did something wrong, but may still practice law. The attorney was cautioned in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior. Details of the infraction are made part of the public record.

Work Experience

2000 - Present

Attorney/Owner, Skarda Law Firm

1998 - 2000

Attorney, Wilson & Associates, PLLC

Education

1998

University of Arkansas at Little Rock, William H. Bowen School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

Avvo Rating

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What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2023
    Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution