The honorees will be recognized during the Faculty Excellence Awards Ceremony on Thursday, April 2, on the ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock campus.

“These faculty members represent the very best of Bowen Law and the vital role legal education plays in strengthening our communities,” said Colin Crawford, dean of the law school. “Through their scholarship, teaching, and service, they are expanding access to justice, advancing knowledge, and preparing students to lead with integrity and purpose.”

Faculty Excellence Award for Research
Joshua M. Silverstein, professor of law, has been selected as the winner of the Faculty Excellence Award for Research.

Silverstein is recognized for his scholarship in business law and legal education theory. He has produced a body of scholarship addressing complex issues in commercial law, including contract interpretation, empirical legal methods, and bankruptcy law. His work has influenced legal debate in courts and academic literature, including citation by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 2024 Purdue Pharma case.

“Legal scholarship plays an important role in clarifying complex issues and strengthening the institutions that shape our justice system,” Silverstein said. “It’s an honor to contribute to these conversations and to be part of a community that values thoughtful inquiry.”

He is a co-author of Problems in Contract Law: Cases and Materials, the most widely used casebook in contracts law education.

Silverstein earned a J.D. from New York University School of Law and a B.A. from Hamilton College.

Faculty Excellence Award for Teaching
Lindsey Gustafson, associate dean for academic affairs and Nadine Baum Professor of Law, has been selected as the winner of the Faculty Excellence Award for Teaching.

Gustafson has spent nearly three decades shaping the legal education experience for generations of students. Her teaching focuses on developing the analytical and professional skills students need to succeed, combining foundational legal instruction with innovative methods such as team-based learning, which emphasizes collaboration and practical application.

In addition to her classroom teaching, Gustafson serves as a co-director of the Institute for Law Teaching and Learning and as a founding editor of the Journal of Law Teaching and Learning, mentoring faculty nationwide and advancing evidence-based approaches to legal education.

Gustafson earned a J.D. and a B.A. from Brigham Young University.

Faculty Excellence Award for Public Service
Anastasia Boles, professor of law, has been selected as the winner of the Faculty Excellence Award for Public Service.

Boles is recognized for her leadership in advancing access to justice and expanding opportunities for students to engage in public service. She co-founded the Bowen Center for Racial Justice and Criminal Justice Reform and leads initiatives such as Court Observation Arkansas, a statewide project that trains students to observe court proceedings and gather data to better understand how the justice system operates across Arkansas.

“Through my work with the Center, I am able to connect academic research and teaching to the real needs of communities,” Boles said. “We aim to expand access to justice while giving students meaningful opportunities to engage with the legal system and serve the public.”

Her work also includes the Bowen Pathway Project, a pipeline program that prepares underrepresented students for law school through LSAT preparation and pipeline programs.

Boles earned a J.D. from Columbia Law School and a B.A. from Stanford University.

Faculty Excellence Award for Social Justice
Suzanne Penn, supervising attorney and assistant clinical professor of legal education, has been selected as the winner of the Faculty Excellence Award for Social Justice.

Penn is recognized for her decades of work expanding access to justice for underserved Arkansans through clinical legal education and community advocacy. She directs the Delta Divorce Clinic, which provides free legal assistance in rural communities where access to legal services is limited, while giving students hands-on experience working with real clients.

“Access to justice is a fundamental principle of our legal system,” Penn said. “The Delta Divorce Clinic provides meaningful opportunities for students to serve their communities while helping individuals navigate difficult legal situations.”

The program has assisted hundreds of Arkansans facing complex legal challenges, including domestic violence and financial hardship, while providing students with practical training in advocacy and client-centered legal practice.

Penn earned a J.D. from Tulane University and a B.A. from Hendrix College.

Faculty Excellence Award for Rising Faculty
Laura Bates, assistant professor of law, has been selected as the winner of the Faculty Excellence Award for Rising Faculty.

Bates is recognized for her contributions to legal education, scholarship, and service during her early years on the faculty. She teaches Research, Writing, and Analysis and Law and Literature, emphasizing practical assignments, one-on-one mentoring, and the development of strong legal writing and critical thinking skills.

“Teaching and mentoring students is the most rewarding part of my work,” Bates said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to help students build the skills, confidence, and judgment they need to successfully enter the legal profession, as well as to challenge them to think critically about the law and engage in thoughtful discussions of what the law should be.”

Her scholarship focuses on parental leave laws, and she is active in academic and community service, including leadership with the American Red Cross serving Greater Arkansas.

Bates earned a J.D. from Harvard Law School, an M.A. from the University of Arkansas, and a B.A. from Ouachita Baptist University.

About the ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law
Located in Arkansas’s capital city, the ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law provides a nationally recognized, practice-ready legal education deeply connected to the state’s legal system. With a strong emphasis on access to justice, public service, and professionalism, Bowen’s hands-on approach is grounded in mentorship and real-world experience. Graduates are prepared to lead in courtrooms, boardrooms, and communities across Arkansas and beyond.

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The ranking, published in the Fall 2025 issue of preLaw Magazine, evaluates law schools on three primary factors: job placement in public service roles, government-focused curricula, and student loan affordability. Bowen Law stood out for its high placement in public sector roles and its robust experiential offerings rooted in service.

“Many of our students arrive at Bowen with a strong interest in public service, and the law school provides the opportunities to put that commitment into practice,” said Colin Crawford, dean of the law school. “Through close engagement with Arkansas’s legal system, our students gain the experience and judgment to step into government roles where they can serve the state and its people with distinction.”

Bowen’s location in the heart of Arkansas’s capital city provides students with direct access to hands-on opportunities in state agencies, courts, and nonprofit legal organizations. Through the Public Service Externship Program, students earn academic credit while working alongside judges on the Arkansas Supreme Court and U.S. Bankruptcy Court, as well as attorneys at agencies such as the ACLU of Arkansas, the Department of Energy & Environment, and Disability Rights Arkansas.

These placements are supported by a seminar course led by Associate Dean Kelly Terry, giving students the chance to reflect on their fieldwork and develop deeper professional skills.

Bowen’s recognition in the government category follows multiple national rankings for public service in recent years, including being named a Top Public Service School by preLaw Magazine in 2016-17, 2021–22, and 2022-23, and a Best Public Interest Law School in 2018 and 2023–24. The school’s consistent national visibility reflects its core commitment to public service, access to justice, and professionalism.

As part of its mission, the law school continues to offer a high-quality, affordable legal education that prepares graduates to serve the people of Arkansas and beyond through careers in government, advocacy, and community leadership.

About the ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law
Located in Arkansas’s capital city, the ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law provides nationally recognized, practice-ready legal education deeply connected to the state’s legal system. With a strong emphasis on access to justice, public service, and professionalism, Bowen prepares graduates to lead in courtrooms, boardrooms, and communities across Arkansas and beyond.

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“This year’s first-time pass rate is a major accomplishment for our graduates and a testament to the strength of our bar preparation program,” said Colin Crawford, dean of the law school. “It reflects our students’ determination, the outstanding leadership of our academic support team, and the deep commitment of our faculty, who consistently go the extra mile to prepare students for practice.”

Danna Young, director of academic support and bar success services stepped in to lead Bowen’s bar preparation efforts last August, helping to shape a program that provides early, personalized support and focused summer instruction.

“This year’s results reflect more than just hard work,” Young said. “They show what’s possible when dedicated students, supportive faculty, and a structured program all come together. The fact that our graduates exceeded the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) national average is a positive indicator that what we’re doing at Bowen is making a real difference.”

Bowen’s bar preparation program includes faculty-led workshops, individualized coaching, timed essay practice, structured study support, and a mock bar exam, all activities designed to guide students from graduation to the bar exam.

“Danna has worked tirelessly to ensure our graduates are prepared for the Bar exam,” Crawford added. “Her leadership, combined with the dedication of our faculty and staff, continues to move Bowen forward in creating practice-ready lawyers.”

Will Sumner ’25, a May graduate who participated in Bowen’s PASS program and passed the Arkansas Bar Exam in July, said the experience gave him confidence and support during a challenging time.

“I’m very glad that I participated in Bowen’s program,” Sumner said. “I understand that many (if not all) professors do it out of the kindness of their hearts, and that is amazing to me. Although I didn’t make every session, attending the majority of the PASS program, troubleshooting issues in extra sessions with professors, and conversations with my Bar mentor gave me the confidence to pass by a healthy margin. I will fully endorse the PASS program to anyone I encounter.”

Learn more about Bowen’s bar success services at /law/academics/bar-success.

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The ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law will host a series of listening sessions to gather input from students, alumni, legal professionals and community members as the school explores the possibility of transitioning its part-time JD program to a hybrid format.

Since its founding, Bowen’s part-time program has been a vital path to legal education for many working adults, caregivers and others unable to pursue a traditional full-time schedule. The school is now evaluating whether a hybrid model, which would combine online coursework with a limited number of in-person class days, could make the program more accessible without compromising academic rigor or accreditation standards.

“We are proud of Bowen’s long-standing commitment to access and flexibility, especially through our part-time program,” said Dean Colin Crawford. “These sessions are a chance to hear from those who care deeply about this school and what it offers. We want to listen and learn from their experiences and insights.”

Each session will be hosted by a Bowen Law alumnus or alumna and joined by a member of the law school’s leadership team. One session will take place in person with limited capacity, and the remaining sessions will be held via Zoom.

Details for each session are listed below. Participants are welcome to attend any session that fits their schedule. Additional listening sessions are being considered and will be added to the schedule as details are confirmed.

Online Sessions

Bowen Hybrid Listening Session with Assoc. Dean Lindsey Gustafson, hosted by Megan Hargraves
Wednesday, July 30, 2025 / 1-1:30 p.m.

Bowen Hybrid Listening Session with Dean Colin Crawford, hosted by Chad Cumming
Monday, August 4, 2025 / 10-10:30 a.m.

Bowen Hybrid Listening Session with Dean Colin Crawford, hosted by Judge Joe Volpe
Wednesday, August 20, 2025 / 2-2:30 p.m.
On Hold

In-Person Session

Bowen Hybrid Listening Session with Dean Colin Crawford, hosted by Frank Arey
Wednesday, August 6, 2025 / 11:30-12:15 p.m., Midtown, Little Rock
Limited Seating – RSVP Required. Lunch Provided
Reservations Closed

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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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Claire, a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and the daughter of an active duty U.S. Army soldier, is no stranger to public service or military life. Originally, Claire began her undergraduate studies with plans to become a nurse, but after taking a few pre-law classes, she discovered an interest in legal studies.

“I started out as a nursing major, but that didn’t work out very well, because — math,” Claire says jokingly. “I took a few pre-law classes and really enjoyed them, so I ultimately ended up majoring in political science as most law students do.”

Armed with a bachelor’s degree and a passion for public service, Claire set out to find opportunities to fuse both her passion and education, ultimately finding herself studying public service and law as a concurrent student at the and the Bowen School of Law.

“Growing up in a military family, public service was definitely emphasized,” Claire says. “I wanted an opportunity to combine my background in public service and my education, and Bowen offered just that.”

Through Bowen’s concurrent degree program, Claire earned a master’s of public service from the Clinton School of Public Service while studying for her juris doctorate. And while her JD has not quite yet been conferred, Claire has already made powerful career moves landing herself a coveted civilian position with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“I became aware of the opportunity through Bowen’s career services office,” Claire says. “They were fantastic in helping me prepare for the interview process. Federal jobs are a little bit different, so Dean Snyder met with me multiple times to help me prepare, and her insight was invaluable.”

Claire interviewed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during Bowen’s on-campus interviews and was selected to participate in the branch’s Civilian Honors Program. According to its website, the program selects a limited number of graduating law students and judicial law clerks to be placed in one of its more than 50 office worldwide, providing the new attorneys with challenging work, significant responsibility, and unparalleled development opportunities to serve the public.

“In Career Services, we work hard to bring diverse employers and opportunities to our students and graduates,” said Diana Snyder, Assistant Dean for Career Services. “Claire has been a dedicated student since her first year as a law student; this position is a perfect fit for Claire, and I’m excited I was able to play a role in helping her achieve her career goals.”

Claire is expected to start her new position in August, beginning as a law clerk pending admission to the bar. Once admitted to the bar, Claire expects to practice contract and employment law and litigation. In the meantime, she looks forward to graduating and international travel with her husband, Connor.

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Aaron Schwabach joins Bowen’s faculty as an Associate Professor of Law after teaching at Thomas Jefferson Law School in San Diego. He will be teaching Real Property and Decedents’ Estates. An international law scholar, Professor Schwabach’s scholarly interests range from property-related topics, including intellectual property, international and domestic environmental law, and the inheritance laws of the European Union, to the law of war and the complex legal and cultural legacy of Thomas Jefferson. An advocate for the Rule of Law internationally, Professor Schwabach has worked with the American Bar Association’s Central and Eastern European Law Initiative and Rule of Law Initiative to strengthen the development of the rule of law across the world.  He is the past editor of two pieces in UNESCO’s Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (“Law” and “The Role of International Law and Institutions”) and is the author of several articles within those themes.  He is also a current member of the editorial board of the Hungarian Yearbook of International Law and European Law. Professor Schwabach brings a much needed international focus to Bowen’s faculty after the retirements of two of Bowen’s international faculty members, Professor Ken Gallant and Sarah Howard Jenkins.

Rebecca Feldmann began at Bowen this summer as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Education and the Director of Bowen’s new Veterans Legal Services Clinic. An advocate for Americans who cannot afford legal representation, Professor Feldmann began her legal career as an attorney at Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, where she represented low-income immigrants and their U.S. citizen family members in a variety of immigration proceedings. Before joining the Bowen faculty, Professor Feldmann held clinical teaching positions at Villanova, Seton Hall, and Georgetown, where she supervised students representing survivors of trauma in administrative proceedings. Professor Feldmann’s career focus fits well with Bowen’s access to justice core value.

Desireé Slaybaugh joins Bowen as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Law at Bowen. She will be teaching Research, Writing, and Analysis I and II. Prior to joining Bowen, Professor Slaybaugh served two years as a Westerfield Teaching Fellow at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law teaching in Loyola’s Lawyering program, and one year as a C.V. Starr Lecturer of Law at the Peking University School of Transnational Law in Shenzhen, China, where she also taught contracts drafting and international human rights law. Before transitioning to teaching, she practiced at a nationally recognized plaintiffs’ law firm in Dallas, Texas and devoted pro bono services to a local human rights nonprofit. Professor Slaybaugh brings experience in both the classroom and practice to Bowen.

Carolyn Ryburn joins Bowen as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Law. She will be teaching Research, Writing, and Analysis I and II. A Bowen graduate, Professor Ryburn worked in private practice for the Barber Law Firm in Little Rock and as an in-house counsel prior to transitioning to teaching. In practice, she specialized in insurance coverage defense and workers’ compensation litigation, including practicing before the Arkansas trial and appellate courts. Professor Ryburn then worked as Employment Counsel for Simmons Bank, a multibillion-dollar bank with locations in eight states. While in-house, she managed and practiced in employment litigation before the Arkansas EEOC, various states’ unemployment agencies, and in courts throughout the company’s multi-state footprint.

“Each of these professors brings to the classroom a wealth of experience in both the classroom and practice as well as a passion for teaching. Our students will benefit greatly from that,” said Theresa Beiner, Bowen’s dean. “We are excited to have them join Bowen’s faculty, and I look forward to working with each of them.”

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This position is in the excepted service without time limitation and will not be filled by competitive appointment. Service in this position may be fully creditable toward civil service retirement. Any selected applicant who is in the competitive service will be taken out of the competitive service when he or she occupies this position and will compete only with other excepted status employees in the event of a reduction-in-force. He or she, however, remains eligible for reinstatement in the competitive service.

Duties: As an Attorney-Adviser (Contract), you will serve as Deputy District Counsel assisting in the management of the office and serve as District Counsel in the absence of the Chief Counsel. Under the general supervision of the Little Rock District Counsel, you will be independently responsible, without preliminary instructions or technical guidance, for carrying out any assignment within the District’s area of responsibility; for furnishing legal recommendations and decisions to operating officials; for developing authoritative written or oral opinions and decisions; and for performing other legal advisory duties on a variety of legal problems and questions referred to the Office of Counsel. You will also:

• provide legal advice and assistance to the Commander on the most difficult and comprehensive contract issues in the District, including medical, military and civil works; construction; architect-engineer; supply; services; and utility contracts. Issues may also include contract formation; claims, disputes and appeals; contract performance; and post-contract performance. You will work with other federal agencies, other military services and the Department of Veterans Administration.
• be responsible for the development of the entire case when designated as Trial Attorney for contract or non-contract litigation.
• render advice and represent the District as legal counsel in the resolution of other complex District legal problems, including matters concerning unique/novel questions of law, complex legal or factual issues, very large sums of money, or issues vigorously contested by extremely capable opposing legal talent. General legal issues addressed may include issues of Federal Real Estate Law; Corps Civil Works law; FOIA and Privacy Act law; Fiscal and Ethical legal issues; Labor and Personnel; Environmental; and non-contractual claims issues, among others.

Application deadline: 8/15/2016

For more information and to apply,

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