Patrick Harris, recently retired from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas, joined the UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law faculty in August 2022. He will serve as the law school’s Director of Advocacy, where he will supervise the adjunct professors teaching Lawyering Skills I and II, as well as teach a course on trial advocacy and supervise the mock trial and moot court competition teams.
Harris brings to the law school a wide breadth of experience as a prosecutor in many high-profile cases opposite some of state’s top criminal defense attorneys.
“I can’t think of another attorney better prepared to help train our students in what is expected of them in representing their clients before, during, and after trial,” said Dean Theresa M. Beiner.
Harris served in the U.S. Attorney’s office for 37 years. During his time in the Office, he served as the Acting U.S. Attorney, First Assistant U.S. Attorney, Criminal Chief, Senior Litigation Counsel and Assistant U.S. Attorney for 23 years. He also was selected by the Department of Justice to evaluate the practices and effectiveness of other U.S. Attorney’s Offices. Harris was awarded the DOJ Director’s Award from the Attorney General on two occasions.
For approximately 20 years, Harris has also taught an adjunct professor in the Lawyering Skills class that he now supervises.
“My legal career has led me on a wonderful ride,” said Harris. “And it looks like that wonderful ride is going to continue at Bowen.”
