Students in the News

The UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law officially welcomed its newest Juris Doctor students during the annual Pledge of Professionalism and Pinning Ceremony, held last night in the Friday Courtroom. Arkansas Supreme Court Associate Justice Rhonda K. Wood, a 1999 Bowen graduate, delivered the keynote address. She encouraged the new students to … Bowen Law Welcomes New Students with Pledge of Professionalism and Pinning Ceremony

One hundred fifty-two incoming students at the UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law began their legal education not in lecture halls but with work gloves and paint brushes. On Saturday, August 16, the entire first-year class spent their first official day of law school giving back to Dunbar Middle School through a … New Students Begin Legal Education with Community Service at Dunbar Middle School

As a child, Chris Carlisle sat captivated beside his family, eyes glued to episodes of Matlock and Perry Mason flickering across their living-room television. In those evenings filled with dramatic courtroom battles and triumphant verdicts, a dream began to form…one he carried through decades of life’s detours before he found the courage to pursue it. … Detours to Determination: Chris Carlisle’s Path to Law School Graduation

Story by Felisha Weaver; Portrait by Larry Rhodes When Olivia Halsey walks across the stage on May 17 to receive her J.D. from the William H. Bowen School of Law, it will mark the completion of a long-held dream. Just weeks earlier, she walked across another stage—this time to be crowned Miss Arkansas USA. For … A Degree of Perseverance: How Olivia Halsey Conquered Law School and the Crown

Story by Felisha Weaver; Portrait by Larry Rhodes Transformative leadership is not a cliché to Clifford McLeod, it’s his legacy. The outgoing Student Bar Association (SBA) president and May 2025 graduate of the William H. Bowen School of Law, McLeod hopes to be remembered as the type of person that didn’t wait for others to … A Legacy of Leadership: Clifford McLeod’s Impact at Bowen

By Felisha Weaver The road to a law degree isn’t always smooth—especially when it’s paved with long commutes, late night classes, and the constant balance of school, work, and motherhood. For Jessica Schoultz, the journey is equal parts ambition and sacrifice, driven by her desire to lead by example for her children and to use … Setting the Example: How Jessica Schoultz Balances Law School and Motherhood

What do you want to be when you grow up? We’ve all been asked this question before, especially as children.  While most people’s answers change over time, some know very early on exactly what they want to do. Such is the case for Rachael McKenzie, a 2024 graduate of the William H. Bowen School of … Dreams Materialized: Part-time Student Rachael McKenzie Graduates, Sets Sights on Arkansas Attorney General’s Office

Caleb Scott, Rylee Sullivan, and Keeli Wallace may not have always had their sights set on law school, but their shared passion for helping others through public service, and in one case, sheer fate, brought all three to the William H. Bowen School of Law.

Claire Cockrell, a graduating student at the William H. Bowen School of Law, expects to begin her career in law as assistant district counsel for the Far East District Office of Counsel for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Pyeongtaek, South Korea.

In the 1970s, environmental law societies formed on law school campuses across the nation as part of the environmental movement. These organizations aimed to introduce students to the issues surrounding the environment and the practice of environmental law. Today, students at Bowen are not just learning about environmental issues or the laws in place to … Bowen Environmental Law Society Students Partner with Master Naturalists to Establish On-Campus Pollinator Garden