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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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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Dean Colin Crawford opened the ceremony by reflecting on the perseverance shown by the graduating class. Many had completed their degrees through Bowen’s part-time evening program while balancing full-time jobs and other responsibilities, a commitment Crawford described as “very special” to Bowen’s faculty and staff. “Most of these students have been laboring at this for at least four years while also holding a full-time job,” he said.

Judge Wendy Scholtens Wood of the Arkansas Court of Appeals delivered the keynote address. A 1996 Bowen alumna and accomplished attorney, Judge Wood offered graduates heartfelt advice rooted in both personal experience and the collective wisdom of her peers. In preparing her remarks, she consulted ten of her former classmates, now serving across sectors including public defense, nonprofit leadership, the judiciary, and private practice.

Her classmates included a federal magistrate judge, a venture capitalist, a nonprofit executive director, and attorneys in government and private roles. Wood emphasized civility as essential in Arkansas’s close-knit legal community, urged graduates to seek mentors and stay curious, and reminded them to prioritize personal well-being alongside professional achievement.

“As you begin your legal careers, I hope the advice from my class to yours serves you well,” she said. “Play the long game. Ask for help. Find mentors. And don’t be so focused on the pursuit of success that you sacrifice your health or your family.”

Special guests at the ceremony included Chief Judge Phyllis M. Jones ’97 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas, who was joined by her judicial clerk, Louis Houser ’25; and Paul Wood ’96, husband of keynote speaker Judge Wendy Wood.

A reception followed the ceremony in the Law Library. Graduates also participated in ĚÇĐÄVlog´ŤĂ˝ Little Rock’s university-wide commencement exercises on Saturday, Dec. 13.

Fall 2025 Bowen School of Law Graduates
Juris Doctor

• Samuel Patrick Bell
• Kristen Mary Corley
• Christina Marie Doncell, magna cum laude
• James Daniel French II
• Sonora Faye Gillespie
• James Thomas Herrod
• Sarah Khatib
• Elizabeth Jayne Kimble
• April Rene Muhammad
• Natalie Christine Rachel
• Kirsten Richey
• Johndrea Earlisha Tatum
• Verenice Perez Taylor, summa cum laude
• Mark Steven Young

The ceremony reflected Bowen’s mission to prepare students for meaningful legal careers grounded in public service, professionalism, and access to justice. As these graduates step into their legal careers, they carry forward that mission into courtrooms and communities across Arkansas and beyond.

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Leaving television was not just a career decision. It meant stepping away from a path he had spent decades building in Memphis. Returning home to Nashville, Arkansas, Young moved in with his parents to regroup and prepare for the LSAT as his first step toward law school. “If I didn’t do it then, in my early 40s, I never would,” he said. “It was time to figure out how I could help people and help Arkansas in a more lasting way.”

Young had always been self-reliant. Even while preparing for law school, he worked full time at a Little Rock television station. When it came time to apply, the decision was easy. Bowen offered the flexibility and support he needed through its part-time evening program, along with proximity to family and access to Arkansas’s legal and political center. “It was designed for working adults like me,” he said. “I could still pay my bills, still support myself, and get the education I had put off for years.”

Starting law school in his 40s was not easy. Young had not been in a classroom in two decades, and the adjustment was steep. “I didn’t do very well my first two semesters,” he said. Learning how law school worked — how professors taught, how exams were written, how answers were expected — took time. But with guidance from faculty and steady support from his classmates, he began to find his footing. Each semester, his confidence grew. “If I didn’t understand something, I could go to a professor and ask. That made a big difference.”

Throughout law school, Young balanced a heavy workload. At any given time, he held at least three jobs, including his long-standing role as a Broadcast Technical Director for the Memphis Grizzlies and Memphis Tigers. He made regular trips to Memphis for games while also launching a mobile notary service in Central Arkansas. Over the years, he worked for the Arkansas Department of Human Services, clerked at the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, and joined the Municipal League as an inquiry clerk. “I stayed busy, but I always found a way to make it work,” he said.

It was at the Arkansas Municipal League that Young found a sense of clarity. As an inquiry clerk, he fielded questions from mayors, city attorneys and council members across the state, helping them navigate legal questions and access resources. For someone who grew up in a small town and saw firsthand the challenges rural communities face, the work felt deeply personal. “Small towns are the backbone of Arkansas,” he said. “Getting to support them, even in small ways, has been incredibly rewarding.”

As Young gained momentum, law school became more than just a professional turning point. It was a place of connection and growth. “It’s harder to make good friends as you get older,” he said. “But with our part-time class, we bonded almost immediately.” He found support in study groups and peer conversations, especially during challenging courses. Each semester, he improved, not just in grades but in confidence. One of his favorite spots on campus was the Bowen Mart, where he often spent time with Harley Anderson-Croot, a close friend and fellow student who worked behind the counter. He also served as a student senator and Phi Alpha Delta fundraising chair, finding ways to represent and advocate for other part-time students like him.

Young graduates from the ĚÇĐÄVlog´ŤĂ˝ Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law this weekend, completing his degree in just three and a half years. He took courses every summer and maximized his course load each semester to get ahead.

Looking forward, Young is keeping his options open. He recently completed the Mediation Clinic and will soon be certified as a mediator in Arkansas. He continues to run his notary business and holds a real estate license, alongside years of media and legal experience. “I will always have a backup plan,” he said. “And a backup to that backup plan.” Whether he continues in municipal law or takes another path, Young is prepared and grounded in a commitment to help Arkansas communities thrive. For other working professionals considering law school later in life, his advice is simple: “Don’t be afraid to try it. You can always figure it out.”

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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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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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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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Leaders from both institutions formalized the partnership on August 29 during a ceremony at Centenary’s Hall of Fame Room. The agreement guarantees admission to Bowen Law for Centenary students who meet specific academic criteria: a bachelor’s degree from Centenary, a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.4 or higher, and a minimum LSAT score of 154 within five years of starting law school.

“Bowen Law is proud to join Centenary College as our first 4+3 partner outside the state of Arkansas,” said Colin Crawford, dean of the law school. “This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to preparing talented students for meaningful legal careers.”

Bowen Law’s capital city location gives students unique access to state government, nonprofit organizations, and leading legal employers. Recognized by preLaw Magazine as a Best Value Law School and a Top Public Service School, Bowen continues to expand its reach through partnerships that align with its core values: access to justice, public service, and professionalism.

Centenary College President Christopher Holoman described the agreement as “path-breaking” and shared how excited students were to engage with Dean Crawford during their campus visit.

“I attended our annual activity fair, Campus Connections, earlier this week and talked to one of the students at the pre-law table. She was so excited about this opportunity and for the chance to really talk to the leadership of the law school during their visit to Centenary this week,” Holoman said.

During the ceremony, Dean Crawford gave special thanks to Dr. Cragin “Craig” Shelton, a 1971 Centenary alumnus and current Bowen Law student, who helped facilitate the partnership and was present for the event. Crawford also praised the Centenary undergraduates he met during his two-day campus visit.

“I spent much of yesterday with many of your students in different settings,” Crawford said. “They were so impressive and so eager to learn about law. I really hope we’ll be welcoming them to the Bowen School of Law and look forward to this collaboration.”

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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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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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