David R. Matthews

I have lived my entire life in Northwest Arkansas. The assassination of President John Kennedy created a desire in me to live a life devoted to helping others.  I saw quickly that being a lawyer would provide that opportunity.  I graduated from Rogers High School in 1969 and then attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville for both my undergraduate and law degrees. I finished my law school classes in December 1975 and received my law license in March 1976. I began my practice in a two room office building in my hometown of Lowell.  I served as the Lowell City Judge until 1981.  In 1980, I was joined by my lifetime friend, Craig Campbell. By 1982 our firm had expanded and we opened an office in Historic Downtown Rogers as well. In 1989 we consolidated our offices into our present location at 119 South Second Street in Rogers.

I was honored to serve the residents of western and southern Benton County in the Arkansas House of Representatives from January 1983 through December 1990. While in the Legislature I worked hard for education reform, economic development, highway funding, and amendments to the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation law. I was the primary author of the amendment to our state Constitution that established small claims courts in Arkansas.

I have always maintained a general practice of law and through the years have represented hundreds of individuals in various matters. I have primarily been a trial lawyer with extensive experience in divorce and child custody cases, personal injury work, the defense of businesses and individuals, and jury trials. In recent years my practice has largely focused on matters before the Arkansas Public Service Commission. I also represent numerous local School Districts and do defense work for several local businesses. I have been selected by my peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© for over 10 years in the fields of Family Law and Energy Law. I have also been named to the Top 50 list by Mid-South Super Lawyers for several years. Inclusion in Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers is based on a rigorous peer review survey by fellow attorneys within the state of Arkansas.  I have also been honored to be inducted into the American Board of Trial Advocates and the American College of Trial Lawyers. I have served as the President of the Arkansas Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates and am presently a member of the Arkansas State Committee of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

In 1991, I was appointed by then Governor Bill Clinton to serve as a special Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court. In 1993, I was presented the Outstanding Lawyer Citizen Award by the Arkansas Bar Association and the Arkansas Bar Foundation. In 2008, I was awarded the James M. Moody Civility Award for displaying professional courtesy and civility while maintaining excellence in advocacy by the Arkansas Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates.

I have been very active through the years with church and charitable organizations. I am a member of the Northwest Arkansas Council, former chairman of the Rogers/Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, former chairman and now Director Emeritus of the Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale. I served as the 1997 Campaign Chairman for the United Way of Rogers/Lowell and was presented the Good Neighbor Award by the Rogers/Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce in 2000.  In 2013 I served as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Arkansas Bar Association.

I am a former Chairman of the Board for the Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas. I have been an active member of the First Baptist Church in Lowell for over 50 years. I am a former Sunday School teacher and presently serve as a Deacon and member of the choir.

Most importantly, I am married to Professor Mary Beth Matthews of the University of Arkansas School Of Law and we have three wonderful and very talented children.