HOT SPRINGS -- The defense attorneys motioned for a conference, the prosecutors did not object, and several judges -- including state Supreme Court justices -- called the parties before the Hot Springs Convention Center on June 11 to kick off the annual Arkansas Bar Association meeting.
It was the 116th such gathering, and according to the association, "the largest legal social event of the year." (Note to planners of the largest illegal one: Pul-lease invite us!)
Well north of 1,000 lawyers were expected in Hot Springs, historically one of the nation's great oases for outlaws such as the James boys, Bugs Moran and Al Capone. Any inferences are entirely circumstantial.
The opening reception took place in the Grand Lobby and was immediately followed by the Arkansas Bar Foundation Fellows black-tie dinner.
The following day, again in late afternoon but this time in the Arlington Hotel lobby, the meeting recessed for the traditional "Friday Firm reception" sponsored exclusively by Friday, Eldredge & Clark, LLP.
The day after that, same time again, now back at the convention center lobby, the reception was sponsored by the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, the Arkansas Bar Association, Cornerstone Settlement Services, Rainwater Holt & Sexton and Windstream Communications.
Now, in between all the schmoozing, there were some sobering addresses, including one from Mark O'Mara, the attorney for George Zimmerman, famously acquitted in the shooting death of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin. That took place Thursday morning.
On Friday, Gov. Mike Beebe gave his last address to the meeting as head of state. Later, state Chief Justice Jim Hannah proffered a "State of the Judiciary" address and swore in Brian Ratcliff of El Dorado as the next association president.
-- Photos and story by Bobby Ampezzan
High Profile on 06/22/2014