Students in the News - William H. Bowen School of Law - ĚÇĐÄVlog´ŤĂ˝ Little Rock /law/category/announcements/ ĚÇĐÄVlog´ŤĂ˝ Little Rock Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:04:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 A Future Reclaimed: Jon-Austen Linch’s Path from Addiction to the Law /law/2026/04/16/part-time-law-program-second-chance-arkansas/ Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:59:55 +0000 /law/?p=42808 Jon-Austen Linch works just feet away from the iconic marble steps inside the Arkansas State Capitol, where his days are spent advising, communicating, and helping shape public policy at the ... A Future Reclaimed: Jon-Austen Linch’s Path from Addiction to the Law

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Jon-Austen Linch works just feet away from the iconic marble steps inside the Arkansas State Capitol, where his days are spent advising, communicating, and helping shape public policy at the highest levels.

It’s a place defined by structure—by process, order, and systems built to hold everything in place.

Nearly a decade ago, Linch was sleeping in his car.

Growing up in Little Rock with a loving family and a diploma from Catholic High, Linch’s path initially looked like that of many Arkansans: he headed to Fayetteville to attend the University of Arkansas.

But after a year of battling an undiagnosed anxiety disorder and a growing dependence on substances, he flunked out. That setback spiraled into years of addiction, homelessness, and brushes with the law. “I really thought life was over,” he said.

It wasn’t.

Through the grace of a compassionate prosecutor and a passionate defense attorney, Linch was offered a second chance instead of a criminal record. He took it.

That second chance led him to Renewal Ranch, a faith-based recovery program in Perryville. For the first time in years, he saw what he describes as “a glimmer of hope.”

He stayed, completed the program, and later joined the organization in fundraising and marketing. From there, he returned to school and earned his psychology degree from Central Baptist College. With that progress came a new goal. Linch began to see law school as the path forward, a way to help others the same way he had been helped.

“I knew I wasn’t done,” Linch said. “I wanted to keep going, but my grades from Fayetteville followed me. On paper, law school just didn’t seem possible.”

Part-Time Law Program for Working Professionals

At Bowen, that path became possible. When Linch learned about the ĚÇĐÄVlog´ŤĂ˝ Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law’s LEAP Program, a six-week pathway for students whose transcripts might not reflect their true potential, he saw an opening. He applied, got in, and found the momentum he’d been missing.

“LEAP demystified law school,” he said. “I walked into my first day with study partners, real experience, and six weeks of contracts under my belt. It changed everything.”

From there, his path began to take shape.

Linch is now a second-year part-time student at Bowen, balancing coursework with a full-time role as Director of Communications and Legislative Affairs for Arkansas Lieutenant Governor Leslie Rutledge. He worked on Rutledge’s early campaign before addiction sidelined his future. She has remained a consistent supporter, something Linch says is rare in politics.

His experiences have shaped his focus.

“I’ve been to 11 funerals in five years,” he said. “Friends who didn’t make it. I had access to a resource that changed my life. That was a good attorney. I want to be that for someone else.”

At Bowen, Linch has found more than academic redemption. He’s found a community that meets students where they are and pushes them forward.

He points to professors like John Cook, who teaches legal writing and analysis, as a defining part of that experience. Cook is known for meeting with students after class ends at 9 p.m. or on weekends, doing whatever it takes to help them succeed.

That mentorship has already made a tangible impact. Linch is now a member of ĚÇĐÄVlog´ŤĂ˝ Little Rock Law Review, and his note has been selected for publication, an opportunity he credits in part to Cook’s encouragement to join and strengthen his writing.

Even while undergoing cancer treatment, Cook adjusted his own schedule to ensure students were prepared for finals. That level of commitment left an impression. “He’s the best educator I’ve ever had,” Linch said. “He wants you to understand it, not just get through it.”

For Linch, that kind of support isn’t the exception. It’s part of what makes Bowen different.

The part-time program at Bowen has made that path possible. It allows Linch to work full time at the Capitol while continuing his legal education, balancing coursework with the responsibilities that matter most at home.

He and his wife, Ellie, recently welcomed their first child, adding a new layer of purpose to an already demanding season of life. Grounded in his faith, Linch approaches that responsibility with a clear sense of direction and calling.

It is not easy.

But it is exactly the kind of path Bowen is designed to support, one where students can build a career that matters without putting their lives on hold.

Learn more about Bowen’s Part-Time Program.

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Student Spotlight: Madalyn Dowell /law/2026/02/25/student-spotlight-madalyn-dowell/ Wed, 25 Feb 2026 17:37:18 +0000 /law/?p=42515 Madalyn Dowell 3L and Veterans Legal Services Clinic Student “Fostering trust and collaborating with clients is a universal skill in all facets of law, and it’s one I will carry ... Student Spotlight: Madalyn Dowell

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Madalyn Dowell

3L and Veterans Legal Services Clinic Student

“Fostering trust and collaborating with clients is a universal skill in all facets of law, and it’s one I will carry with me throughout my career.”


For Madalyn Dowell, the Veterans Legal Services Clinic has provided a grounded, hands-on view of what legal practice looks like beyond the classroom.

Working directly with veterans navigating lengthy disability claims through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense, she has seen firsthand how complex and time-consuming the process can be. Many clients face delays that stretch for months or longer, often becoming discouraged as their cases move slowly through federal systems.

Through regular client interviews and status updates, Madalyn has learned that effective advocacy begins with clear communication and steady support. While the work often involves detailed paperwork and procedural navigation, she says the most meaningful moments come from the relationships built along the way.

“It is easy to get lost in the paperwork,” she said. “But the difference you make is not always on the page. Clients are grateful to have someone walking alongside them through the process.”

The experience has sharpened her professional skills while reinforcing her sense of purpose. By fostering trust and maintaining open dialogue, she has strengthened a core competency that will serve her across every area of practice.

Her time in the clinic has also clarified the kind of lawyer she hopes to become: one committed to creating positive change in the lives of others.

At Bowen Law, clinics, externships and practicums are the capstone of how we prepare practice-ready lawyers. For Madalyn, that preparation has meant stepping into real advocacy, real responsibility and real impact before graduation.

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Student Spotlight: Fouz Abu-Obeid /law/2026/01/30/student-spotlight-fouz-abu-obeid/ Fri, 30 Jan 2026 17:42:20 +0000 /law/?p=42116 Fouz Abu-Obeid 3L and two-year RWA Teaching Assistant “That moment when something finally clicks for someone else — that’s why I love being a TA.” Fouz Abu-Obeid is a third-year ... Student Spotlight: Fouz Abu-Obeid

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Fouz Abu-Obeid

3L and two-year RWA Teaching Assistant

“That moment when something finally clicks for someone else — that’s why I love being a TA.”


Fouz Abu-Obeid is a third-year student at the ĚÇĐÄVlog´ŤĂ˝ Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law and a two-year teaching assistant in Research, Writing, and Analysis. Known for her thoughtful communication and steady encouragement, she has supported fellow students through challenging assignments by offering practical feedback and building their confidence one step at a time.

During her 1L year, Fouz Abu-Obeid found herself drawn to the challenge of legal writing. She enjoyed breaking down complex research tasks and developing her skills in structure and clarity. But it wasn’t just the content that resonated — it was the chance to help others succeed. After regularly walking through assignments with her peers, she realized she loved the teaching side too.

As a two-year RWA teaching assistant, Fouz has met regularly with students navigating everything from predictive memos to appellate briefs. One student, facing difficulty with a major writing assignment, asked for help — and Fouz responded with a series of weekly meetings that turned writing into a manageable, confidence-building process. “Meeting once isn’t always enough,” she said. “For some students, consistent and individualized support makes a bigger difference.”

Teaching has also deepened her own skills. “When I help someone work through an argument or organize a brief, I have to explain why something works, and that’s made me more intentional about my own writing.”

After graduation, Fouz plans to continue building her legal writing skills in a career focused on contract drafting, rulemaking, legislative editing, or compliance. She also hopes to mentor law students and, one day, return to the classroom to teach RWA.

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A Calling Reclaimed: April Muhammad’s Path from Grief to the Law /law/2025/12/11/april-muhammad-grief-to-law/ Thu, 11 Dec 2025 20:45:06 +0000 /law/?p=41460 In the quiet months after her husband’s death, April Muhammad found herself searching for direction. She had poured years into caregiving and motherhood, and for the first time in a ... A Calling Reclaimed: April Muhammad’s Path from Grief to the Law

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In the quiet months after her husband’s death, April Muhammad found herself searching for direction. She had poured years into caregiving and motherhood, and for the first time in a long time, the path ahead was her own to choose. That clarity led her back to a dream she first spoke aloud on a dusty Mississippi road as a young girl, when she and her sister imagined futures bigger than their small, segregated town seemed to allow. Muhammad wanted to be a lawyer.

At the time, Muhammad was already enrolled in a Ph.D. program in business leadership — but the work felt hollow. The more she studied, the more she realized it wasn’t what she was meant to do. What pulled at her instead was a deeper need she couldn’t ignore: the persistent gap between people in crisis and the legal help they needed. She had grown up in a place where families struggled in silence, and now she saw how many others still faced those same barriers. If she was going to start over, she wanted it to matter.

Muhammad’s path to law school began with Bowen’s LEAP program, a selective summer initiative that gives high-potential students a chance to prove they are ready for the demands of legal education. She was one of just four students to matriculate that year. “LEAP was harder than any semester of law school,” she said. “It was daily classwork, new material, and it came fast. You couldn’t slack, and I’m thankful for that because it prepared me for what was to come.”

Muhammad made that commitment from Pine Bluff, driving nearly two hours each day to attend classes and study at Bowen. A mother of eight, she balanced coursework with caregiving and a full household, often spending eight to ten hours a day in her carrel on campus. Her youngest son, Ausar, a high school student in Little Rock, spent countless hours with her at the law school, reading in the library or waiting outside classrooms. She began in the part-time program and later transitioned to full time, taking on heavy course loads without slowing down. She completed her degree in just three and a half years, a reflection of her focus, discipline and determination.

At Bowen, Muhammad found more than academic rigor. She found mentors who saw her potential and helped shape her into a practicing advocate. As a Rule XV certified student, she represented real clients in the Delta Divorce Clinic, arguing their cases in court under the supervision of Professor Suzanne Penn. “I was so nervous, but when the judge said I did a good job, I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be,” she said. She also completed an externship with Chief Judge Phyllis Jones of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, gaining insight into how judges interpret complex legal issues. Faculty members like Danna Young and Dean Rejena Grotjohn were never far when Muhammad had questions or needed encouragement. Their couches, as she fondly described them, were places to learn and be heard.

While her professors helped shape her as a lawyer, Muhammad’s greatest champions were often behind the scenes. A few years ago, she remarried, and her husband, Bilal Muhammad, supported her every step of the way, from cooking and cleaning to giving her space to study. Her sisters, Carolyn and Lydia, were constant encouragers, sending shirts with messages like “J.D. Loading” and reminding her that she could do anything she set her mind to. Muhammad also carried the quiet motivation of her mother, who spent her career cooking in a hospital cafeteria but once confided that she had always dreamed of being a nurse. That revelation stayed with Muhammad. “I have one life,” she said. “I want to do what I was born to do.”

This weekend, Muhammad will graduate from the ĚÇĐÄVlog´ŤĂ˝ Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law and begin a prestigious clerkship in the chambers of Chief Judge Jones of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas, where she once served as a student extern. The courtroom is no longer a dream. It is where she belongs, where purpose meets preparation, and where she is ready to lead.

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Bowen Law Mock Trial Team Earns Runner-Up at National Civil Rights Competition /law/2025/11/06/mock-trial-national-runner-up/ Thu, 06 Nov 2025 17:58:16 +0000 /law/?p=41293 A student team from the ĚÇĐÄVlog´ŤĂ˝ Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law earned national recognition last week after finishing as runner-up at the 8th Annual MLK National Civil ... Bowen Law Mock Trial Team Earns Runner-Up at National Civil Rights Competition

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A student team from the ĚÇĐÄVlog´ŤĂ˝ Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law earned national recognition last week after finishing as runner-up at the 8th Annual MLK National Civil Rights Mock Trial Competition, hosted by UC Davis School of Law. The team advanced to the final round after defeating top-tier law schools in a series of competitive mock trial rounds.

The Bowen team — composed of Jules Lemmon (3L), Lindsey Norman (3L), Nayeli Ortiz (2L), and Aubrey Matheson (2L) — was coached by Professor Pat Harris. Lemmon and Ortiz served as plaintiff’s counsel, while Norman and Matheson represented the defense. Together, they faced off against 14 law schools and 112 law students over the course of the three-day competition.

“This is a big deal for Bowen,” said Harris. “We’ve reached the semifinals before, but this was our first time advancing to the final round. These students put in countless hours — early mornings, late nights, weekends — and it showed. Their strength is their honor, integrity, and work ethic.”

The team opened the competition with a win over the University of Virginia, followed by back-to-back victories against Texas A&M and Brooklyn Law School. In the semifinals, they defeated California Western School of Law with a unanimous 3-0 judges’ decision before facing the University of Texas in the final round. Bowen ultimately earned runner-up, losing by just nine points in a 414-405 final score.

Norman, who served as defense counsel, called the experience “transformative.”

“After the competition, the presiding judge who wrote the case we tried visited with all of us. He asked about our plans. I told him I plan to work in the transactional world after getting an LLM in tax. He looked at me and said, ‘That sounds great, but please don’t waste the skill you have in the courtroom.’”

“I will always be so grateful to Pat for believing in my ability to compete on this team,” Norman added. “I am walking away from this experience feeling confident to step into the courtroom and try a case if given the opportunity.”

Lemmon, who plans to serve as a Marine Corps judge advocate, said the experience reinforced her passion for litigation. “The work isn’t easy but it’s absolutely worth it. We competed against both public and private schools with much higher tuition, and we proved that the legal training we receive at Bowen is every bit as strong.”

The team’s success reflects Bowen’s commitment to preparing students for practice-ready legal careers with purpose, with support, and with momentum. Through personal mentorship, real-world advocacy, and direct experience in national competitions like this one, Bowen students graduate ready to lead in courtrooms, boardrooms, and communities across Arkansas and beyond.

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A Bowen Graduate’s Mission: Connecting Law, Mental Health and Justice in Arkansas /law/2025/09/22/rachel-fazio-law-mental-health/ Mon, 22 Sep 2025 15:59:38 +0000 /law/?p=40677 In Arkansas jails, individuals with severe mental illness can go weeks, sometimes months, without medication, treatment, or meaningful contact. The consequences are quiet and devastating, unfolding out of sight and ... A Bowen Graduate’s Mission: Connecting Law, Mental Health and Justice in Arkansas

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In Arkansas jails, individuals with severe mental illness can go weeks, sometimes months, without medication, treatment, or meaningful contact. The consequences are quiet and devastating, unfolding out of sight and across systems that were never built to manage them.

It is a reality Dr. Rachel Fazio did not anticipate when she began conducting forensic evaluations across 11 counties. But once she saw the gaps between mental health care, legal knowledge, and the people caught in between, she could not ignore them.

Fazio is one of fewer than a dozen neuropsychologists in the United States who specialize in criminal forensic work. With a doctorate in clinical psychology and dual concentrations in neuropsychology and forensic psychology, she recently added a Juris Doctor to her credentials—not to change careers, but to strengthen her work at the intersection of medicine and law.

Neuropsychology, Fazio explained, focuses on brain-behavior relationships, such as how conditions like ADHD, dementia or traumatic brain injuries affect memory, decision-making and behavior. Forensic psychology, on the other hand, applies clinical training to legal settings.

“Technically, it’s any evaluation you would do for a court or administrative body,” she said. She read legal cases, participated in mock trials and was trained to testify, all before she ever set foot into law school.

Fazio moved to Little Rock for a role at the VA and soon began working as a forensic evaluator across 11 Arkansas counties. In 2022, she enrolled full time at the ĚÇĐÄVlog´ŤĂ˝ Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. Earning a JD was not a pivot. It was a professional investment. “I was either going to do my forensic boards or get a law degree,” she said. “They both show that you care about what you do and require additional knowledge and certification.”

In contrast to state and federal systems, Fazio found that county jails in Arkansas varied dramatically. “Each county does things differently. Dramatically differently,” she added. Some had nurses on site. Others did not. Some contracted with private medical providers, while others left medication decisions to corrections staff. “There is not a uniform way to get mentally ill inmates in county jails the appropriate medications,” she said. Inmates often went without treatment if their prescriptions were not on a facility’s formulary or if they could not afford co-pays. Telehealth services, common since the pandemic, were sometimes unusable when inmates were too ill to leave their cells. “It can also cause a mental health crisis,” she said. “And that is just a glaring problem that is overlooked.”

As a student in Bowen’s full-time JD program, Fazio brought a seasoned professional’s lens to the classroom and found faculty who recognized the unique perspective she offered. Dean Lindsey Gustafson encouraged her early on, and Professor Joshua Silverstein became a trusted advisor. She also gained practical experience through externships, including one with the Central Arkansas Legal Services clinic.

Bowen also became the place where doors opened for her to share what she was seeing in Arkansas county jails. Fazio served as a resource to classmates and other members of the bar, writing for the Arkansas Bar Journal and speaking to the Saline County Bar Association about recognizing key warning signs and knowing when to communicate with a forensic evaluator in cases involving mental illness.

Fazio walked in Bowen’s May commencement ceremony and completed her final course requirement through a study abroad program in Rome this summer. With her JD now conferred, she plans to sit for the Arkansas Bar—not to practice law in a traditional sense, but to continue to practice criminal forensic evaluations and fitness to proceed.

Ultimately, Fazio hopes to improve communication between attorneys, evaluators, county jails, and hospitals. But she is quick to clarify her role. “As a forensic evaluator, I am unbiased,” she said. “But I have an ethical responsibility as a psychologist to advocate for someone when they can’t take care of themselves.”

Fazio hopes to see a future where attorneys are better informed, families are more empowered, and collaboration improves across legal and clinical lines. “If you have a seriously mentally ill family member in jail, keep an eye on them,” she said. “Put money on the books. Call the medical staff. Don’t let them slip through the cracks.”

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Bowen Law Welcomes New Students with Pledge of Professionalism and Pinning Ceremony /law/2025/08/21/pinning-2025/ Thu, 21 Aug 2025 18:14:36 +0000 /law/?p=40466 The ĚÇĐÄVlog´ŤĂ˝ 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 ... Bowen Law Welcomes New Students with Pledge of Professionalism and Pinning Ceremony

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The ĚÇĐÄVlog´ŤĂ˝ 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 act with integrity, serve the public, and help promote trust in the justice system throughout their careers.

Justice Wood then led the students in reciting the Pledge of Professionalism, a shared commitment to ethical conduct and personal responsibility. Afterward, she invited them to wear the Bowen pin as a visible reminder of the values that will guide them through law school and beyond.

Dean Colin Crawford also spoke, reflecting on Bowen’s proud alumni network and the importance of professionalism in legal education and practice. He introduced members of the Bowen faculty and welcomed them as mentors for the journey ahead.

The ceremony marked an important beginning for the newest members of the Bowen community. With hands-on training, close mentorship, and a deep connection to Arkansas’s legal system, Bowen students are preparing to build legal careers that make a difference—in courtrooms, boardrooms, and communities across the state and beyond. A reception followed, hosted by Dean Crawford, offering students and faculty a chance to connect and celebrate the start of the academic year.

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New Students Begin Legal Education with Community Service at Dunbar Middle School /law/2025/08/19/day-of-service-2025/ Tue, 19 Aug 2025 18:07:40 +0000 /law/?p=40458 One hundred fifty-two incoming students at the ĚÇĐÄVlog´ŤĂ˝ Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law began their legal education not in lecture halls but with work gloves and paint ... New Students Begin Legal Education with Community Service at Dunbar Middle School

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One hundred fifty-two incoming students at the ĚÇĐÄVlog´ŤĂ˝ 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 hands-on beautification and supply drive project.

The law school’s Day of Service is a long-standing Bowen tradition that kicks off orientation with a clear message: public service is not just part of the curriculum, it is a foundational value.

At Dunbar, students painted a basketball court and chalkboard wall, refreshed landscaping, assembled bookshelves, and installed bulletin boards and picnic tables. They also supported school programs through the delivery of more than 100 freezer-sized nutrition bags, 10 bags of donated clothing, and more than 100 hygiene products for Brian’s Closet.

“The legal profession is, at its best, a profession of service,” said Colin Crawford, dean of the law school. “At Bowen, we begin cultivating that commitment from day one. Our Day of Service is more than symbolic; it reflects a deeper reality of who we are as a law school. Each year, our students deliver thousands of hours of pro bono legal service to Arkansans, and this early experience reminds them that their legal education is not separate from the needs of the community. We are proud to partner with schools like Dunbar and to contribute, in a small but tangible way, to the city we call home.”

Dunbar Middle School shared a message of thanks following the event: “From sprucing up our spaces to showing genuine care for our students and staff, their efforts have left a lasting mark on our school community. Their generosity and hard work didn’t just improve our physical environment — they reminded us what it means to come together in service and support.”

The project was a collaboration between Bowen Law and Dunbar Middle School, with support from local businesses. The Good Earth Garden Center donated mulch, rock, and potting soil, while Southern Lawn provided transportation for large flowerpots. Bowen contributed new flowers and flowerpots for the entry, new flags and picnic tables, along with other supplies, materials, and labor.

Organizers said the event gave students an immediate connection between their legal ambitions and their role in the broader community.

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Detours to Determination: Chris Carlisle’s Path to Law School Graduation /law/2025/05/16/chris-carlisle-path/ Fri, 16 May 2025 14:33:42 +0000 /law/?p=40039 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 ... Detours to Determination: Chris Carlisle’s Path to Law School Graduation

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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.

Carlisle, who calls the small community of Paron his home, had a rocky start to his collegiate career. As an undergrad at the University of Arkansas, he faced academic suspension. After moving home and getting married, he later returned to school focused and more mature. He went on to complete his degree in political science and earned a leadership medal at graduation.

After college, Carlisle worked in retail management before moving with his wife and two children to Dallas, where he managed a call center. He found neither job enjoyable nor satisfying.

Searching for a new path, he and his wife, Katherine, accepted a position as house parents at a children’s home in the southern Texas city of Brownsville. In addition to caring for their own children, Austin and Audrey, they provided a home for up to eight children at a time who had been removed from their biological families for various reasons.

“We raised them as our own,” Carlisle says. “It was great, but super hard work.”

With an increase in cartel violence near their Brownsville home, they eventually moved back to Arkansas for a fresh start, where they spent a few years as house parents at Southern Christian Home in Morrilton.

It wasn’t until his wife completed her master’s degree during the pandemic that Carlisle felt it was finally his turn to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a lawyer. Carlisle initially faced setbacks in applying to law school due to his LSAT score, which was affected by his visual impairment. Unwilling to give up, he retook the test—this time with visual accommodations. With a significantly boosted score, he secured scholarship offers to both law schools in Arkansas.

Ultimately, he chose ĚÇĐÄVlog´ŤĂ˝ Little Rock’s William H. Bowen School of Law, where proximity to state government opportunities resonated with his longstanding interest in public service.

At Bowen, Carlisle quickly became a familiar face on campus, known for his extensive involvement and authentic connections with faculty, staff, and students. Due to early challenges with legal writing, he sought out consistent support from the school’s Writing Center, building a close relationship with writing specialist Danna Young, who now serves as Bowen’s director of academic support and bar success services.

“There are a couple people responsible for me still being here, and Danna is one of them,” Carlisle says. “She really helped my writing and boosted my confidence.”

Carlisle didn’t limit himself. He took on multiple leadership roles, served as vice president of the Student Bar Association, co-founded the First-Generation Law Student organization, and became president of the Pulaski County Bar Association student division.

While at Bowen, Carlisle took every opportunity to explore various fields of law. He completed paid internships with the Department of Education, the Arkansas Department of Health’s legal department, and the Attorney General’s office. He also completed a public service externship with USDA’s Office of General Counsel and participated in Bowen’s Mediation Clinic.

Perhaps inspired by those childhood courtroom dramas, Carlisle proactively sought real-life courtroom experience during his time at Bowen. Noticing that Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Andrew Gill wasn’t listed among Bowen’s externship partners, Carlisle sought permission to contact him in hopes of arranging an externship. Judge Gill agreed, and Carlisle spent 12 to 15 hours each week during the semester observing courtroom proceedings firsthand.

“I loved it,” Carlisle says of the experience. “I loved seeing the work from the judge’s perspective. To be a clerk in his court would be fascinating.”

Through each challenge—whether academic struggles, balancing family responsibilities, or overcoming barriers related to his visual impairment—Carlisle credits Bowen’s supportive community for his success.

“Bowen’s strongest selling point is its people,” he says. “Faculty, staff, and even Derek who takes care of the building—everyone here genuinely cares.”

As he prepares to graduate, Carlisle’s journey symbolizes resilience and determination. Proudly supported by his wife, who teaches special education at Sylvan Hills, Carlisle feels he has set a meaningful example for his two teenage children.

“I spent my whole life running from law school, afraid it would be too hard,” Carlisle says. “But how could I encourage my kids to chase their dreams if I didn’t chase mine?”

His advice for incoming students reflects his experience: “Don’t take yourself too seriously. It’s going to be hard, but you knew that when you signed up. Talk to professors, cast a wide net early, and enjoy it. It goes by quickly.”

Carlisle leaves Bowen Law ready to embrace his future in the legal profession, proving it’s never too late to defy expectations and achieve your dreams.

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A Degree of Perseverance: How Olivia Halsey Conquered Law School and the Crown /law/2025/05/15/olivia-halsey-law-and-crown/ Thu, 15 May 2025 20:22:16 +0000 /law/?p=40035 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, ... A Degree of Perseverance: How Olivia Halsey Conquered Law School and the Crown

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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 Olivia, both moments represent not just the end of one journey, but the beginning of another, proving that perseverance and purpose can open more than one door.

Growing up in Jonesboro, some of Halsey’s earliest memories center around law. Adopted at the age of four, she says she was inspired by her grandmother, Barbara Halsey, a Bowen alumna who spent 20 years practicing family law before being elected as a circuit court judge and later appointed as a Special Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court. In eighth grade, Halsey decided she would follow in her grandmother’s footsteps and one day attend Bowen and practice family law.

But Halsey’s passion for public service began to take shape during her undergraduate years. She attended the University of Arkansas, where she earned a degree in political science with a minor in history. During that time, she became actively involved in politics, spending two years working on the election campaign of Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

At Bowen, Halsey got involved early on in the Student Success Program, where she was selected by her peers as a Bowen Fellow during her second year (2L). The program, aimed at supporting the success of first-year (1L) students, gave Halsey the chance to develop leadership skills and she went on to be a Bowen Fellow Manager.

She also joined the Federalist Society, an organization that fosters critical thought and debate about conservative and libertarian principles in the law. As president, she helped the group earn Student Organization of the Year, and she traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the Federalist Society’s Student Leadership Conference, where she made connections with students from across the country.

“It made me realize that Bowen really does want student success everywhere,” Halsey says. “That was unique to see, and it made me appreciate the environment we have here.”

But in the midst of her hard work and success in law school, another dream began to form. She experienced a personal transformation—losing 80 pounds with the support of a personal trainer who also happened to be a pageant coach. Last year, she decided to challenge herself and enter the Miss Arkansas USA pageant. To her surprise, she placed second runner-up—a rare achievement for a first-time competitor. The experience gave her a new sense of confidence and planted a seed of determination to come back even stronger.

When the opportunity to compete again this year presented itself, Halsey had to make a tough call. Taking the bar exam in July was a priority, and she wasn’t willing to risk delaying that milestone. Only after confirming that the Miss Arkansas USA competition wouldn’t conflict did she commit to entering. With that reassurance, she began preparing.

She had to balance the demands of law school, leadership roles, and her clerkship at the governor’s office with pageant preparation. Halsey prioritized the interview segment of the competition, as it had been her weakest area the year before. And, above all, she stayed focused on giving her best. The experience taught her that balancing dreams wasn’t about perfection—it was about persistence.

“I went in this year with a different mindset,” Halsey says. “I wasn’t competing with everyone else. I was competing to be my best, so it was more fun.”

Faith played a central role in keeping Halsey grounded. Over the past three years, her commitment to her Christian faith had deepened, and she leaned on that foundation when stress levels peaked. “I wouldn’t be here without Him, and the amount of peace and confidence that I felt during Miss Arkansas USA week—there’s just no other way to describe that—it was just a God thing,” Halsey says.

Not only did Halsey win the crown, but she also earned the interview award, an especially meaningful recognition after focusing on improving her public speaking skills. She was also honored with the mentor award, voted on by the contestants of the Miss Teen Arkansas USA pageant, recognizing her positive influence and leadership.

Initially drawn to family law like her grandmother, Halsey’s career vision has evolved during her time at Bowen. Her leadership roles and her clerkship with the governor’s office gave her a new perspective on public service and government work. Now, Halsey hopes to continue working in public service after graduation, ideally with Governor Sanders’ office.

“I realized that my passion for helping others aligned more with public service and government work,” Halsey says. “It’s never the same thing—it’s always a new challenge, and that’s what I love about it.”

As Miss Arkansas USA, Halsey plans to focus on her platform, Beyond the Ballot. A long-time volunteer, she was inspired to create this initiative after realizing that many of her peers didn’t feel they could make a difference. She hopes to encourage youth to engage in their communities through more than just voting.

“We are responsible for making our communities better,” Halsey says. “It’s about promoting and focusing on volunteerism to build a better system.”

Now, as she prepares for the next chapter, Halsey is focused on fulfilling her duties as Miss Arkansas USA, preparing for the bar exam, and getting ready for the Miss USA competition later this year. Whether she’s advocating for civic engagement or preparing for a career in public service, she remains driven by the same ambition and commitment that have shaped her journey so far.

“I want to inspire people to believe that it’s never too late to chase your dreams,” Halsey says. “Whatever you want to do is achievable.”

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