/news-archive/tag/matthew-kerns/ 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Mon, 28 Oct 2019 13:45:16 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 /news-archive/2019/10/28/ua-little-rock-philander-smith-create-pipeline-for-minority-law-students/ Mon, 28 Oct 2019 13:45:16 +0000 /news/?p=75522 ... 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Philander Smith create pipeline program for minority law students]]> The University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law and Philander Smith College announced the creation of a 4+3 pipeline program. This new partnership recognizes Philander Smith鈥檚 commitment to preparing aspiring law students and provides guaranteed acceptance to Bowen for Philander graduates who meet specific criteria. 鈥淏owen consistently attracts quality applicants,鈥� said Assistant Dean of Admissions Matthew Kerns. 鈥淲ith competition to enter the law school increasing, these programs reinforce our commitment to Philander Smith College students and the Little Rock community and ensure that highly motivated graduates have spots at the law school.鈥� Philander Smith College alumni qualify for the 4+3 program if they earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4; scored a 154 or above on the LSAT; and have no character and fitness issues that would disqualify them from being admitted to the bar. Prospective students can apply to the law school through lsac.org. Students must apply to Bowen and satisfactorily complete all admissions requirements. In addition to this program and other scholarship opportunities, Bowen offers a 25 percent tuition scholarship to accepted students who earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree from an Arkansas historically black college or university.聽聽聽 鈥淲e are incredibly gratified to be a partner with the Bowen School of Law to expand access to law school for our students,鈥� said Philander Smith College President Roderick Smothers Sr. 鈥淎s an institution rooted and grounded in social justice, we aim to graduate leaders who are equipped to fight inequality. This opportunity aligns with our mission, ensuring that legal scholars will be well-prepared for the front lines of service.鈥澛� Bowen prepares students for a variety of careers, including roles as attorneys, judges or other public service leadership positions.聽]]> /news-archive/2018/11/14/richard-bell/ Wed, 14 Nov 2018 13:03:17 +0000 /news/?p=72661 ... Law degree gives Bowen grad a marketing edge for accounting business]]> An accounting degree gave Richard Bell the know-how he needed to be an accountant, but it was his legal education from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock鈥檚 William H. Bowen School of Law that helped him be a successful entrepreneur. Like many law students, Bell never intended to be a practicing lawyer. Instead, he has run a successful accounting and consulting firm, P.A., for more than 35 years. 鈥淚 was better as an accountant than as a lawyer,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey are different disciplines. What my law education gave me was a marketing edge to build my business. It鈥檚 all about marketing and technical skills. I think differently with my law degree. I think analytically. I鈥檝e learned a lot, and I鈥檓 thankful for that. It鈥檚 been a life changer.鈥� Bell鈥檚 firm represents small businesses, individuals, and professionals, including some lawyers. He has also found a niche in the trucking industry, which has led to providing support litigation as an expert witness in various transportation-related court cases. 聽 Matthew Kerns, assistant dean of admissions at Bowen, says many students in the part-time JD program are pursuing a legal education as a way to advance in other career fields, whether it be a small business owner who can benefit from an understanding of contracts law, or a human resources manager who needs to better understand employment law, or someone working in government who needs a better understanding of labor laws. Bowen offers the only part-time law program in the state. Students in the part-time program can complete a Juris Doctor in four years while full-time students finish in three years. About 115 students are currently enrolled in the part-time program. Bell was the first in his family to attend college. When he was a student at Oak Grove High School, college was the furthest thing from his mind. He planned to get a full-time job at the sheet metal foundry, where he had worked during summers and where his father worked. When he was 17, a lawn mower accident abruptly changed the course of his life. Surgery saved his foot, but Bell would need ongoing therapy. 鈥淲e were trying to figure out what I was going to do after high school, and the doctor asked my parents, ‘Have you ever thought about sending him to college?鈥欌�� Bell recalled. 鈥淭hat doctor took an interest in me because he knew I couldn鈥檛 do the manual work often required from only high school graduates.鈥� Bell鈥檚 father knew his son was good at math. As the shop superintendent who signed employees鈥� paychecks at 聽Phelps Machinery Company, he also knew how much the company paid its CPA. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 even know what a CPA was, but my father thought I would be good at it,鈥� Bell recalled. In 1976, Bell graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a Bachelor of Science in accounting. He knew he wanted to get a legal education – not to be a practicing attorney, but for a reason that harked back to an injustice he experienced as a boy and never forgot. 鈥淚 was a smart kid, but I was small, and I was a bullied a lot,鈥� Bell said. 鈥淚 had a beagle named Jack that I hunted with. One summer, they shot my dog. I was so mad, and I never forgot it.鈥� Bell graduated from Bowen School of Law in 1981. He took law classes at night and worked a day job at a grocery store, earning $6.30 an hour. There, he met Lee Wagner, who he soon married. Lee insisted that Bell put his college degree to work and encouraged him to get an accounting job. Ironically, the entry-level accounting job paid less than the grocery store. Soon though, Bell found a better job at a Little Rock accounting firm, where he worked three years before he and Lee started their own accounting business in 1981 out of their home in Beebe. Bell & Company now has two locations – North Little Rock and Conway – and employs 40 people. Bell鈥檚 daughter, Jennifer, manages the Conway office. Like her father, she earned an accounting degree and a law degree, also from Bowen. Bell keeps in close contact with Bowen. Bell鈥檚 company has established foundation scholarships, work-study programs, and mentoring groups for college students. They have also created the at the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. He serves on the Dean鈥檚 Council, and last year was honored as Bowen鈥檚 Outstanding Alumnus. Bell also teaches Business Law for Entrepreneurs at the University of Central Arkansas, and he provides internships for students at his firm鈥檚 Conway office. 鈥淚t鈥檚 our way of trying to give back,鈥� he said, 鈥渂y helping other students who are entrepreneurs.鈥�    ]]> /news-archive/2018/11/02/arkansass-pre-law-advisors-meeting/ Fri, 02 Nov 2018 13:17:47 +0000 /news/?p=72488 ... 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Bowen Law School to host Arkansas鈥檚 first pre-law advisors meeting]]> The University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law will host the state鈥檚 first pre-law advisors meeting on Friday, Nov. 16, for those who advise students about attending law school in Arkansas.聽 As the first meeting of its kind in Arkansas, anyone who works with students interested in pursuing a career in the legal profession is invited to attend. The meeting is free, and participants are encouraged to invite their colleagues. There will be speakers from around the state and country presenting on access to justice and pre-law advising issues. The purpose of the meeting is to bring together pre-law advisors, career counselors, and faculty who advise students about attending law school and pursuing legal careers to discuss the legal needs of Arkansas, exchange best practices, and network. The meeting will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bowen Law School. The event will feature an introduction to Bowen Dean Theresa Beiner and University of Arkansas School of Law Dean Margaret Sova McCabe; a session on the legal needs of Arkansas by Arkansas Access to Justice; a resources session for pre-law advisors by Law School Admission Council; as well as a discussion on opportunities for collaboration and a networking hour. Those interested in attending should RSVP online. For more information, contact Matthew Kerns, assistant dean of admissions, scholarship, and enrollment data at Bowen, at 501-324-9903 or mvkerns@ualr.edu.]]>