FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - William H. Sutton and his wife Peggy of Little Rock will provide $100,000 to endow the previously established William H. Sutton Barrister’s Union Fund in the University of Arkansas School of Law.

The Sutton Barrister’s Union is a skills training opportunity for second-year law students to engage in mock court trials. Approximately 90 percent of UA law students participate in such opportunities annually. Participants in the Sutton Barrister’s Union compete internally each fall. Those who perform successfully may participate in a traveling trial team, competing against law students from other universities nationally. Funds from the Sutton Barrister’s Union support the trial program and team travel.

The Union was established four years ago by Mr. Sutton, who has been adding funds to it annually prior to this current gift, which is being made through a charitable remainder unitrust.

Robert Moberly, dean of the School of Law, said, "Buddy Sutton is one of the most prominent litigators in the state and nation, and this gift will enhance our ability to improve litigation skills of our students. We’d like to thank Buddy and Peggy for their support of this program, which is an essential component to training tomorrow’s lawyers. We would also like to thank Buddy for his leadership and service as chair of our Campaign committee."

UA Chancellor John A. White said, "We thank the Suttons for their generous gift to support a valuable student program. The trial situations presented to members of the Sutton Barrister's Union are helping law students get a feel for what will be expected of them in the courtroom while they learn to prepare for trials. The students’ participation is in addition to their regular coursework, so the fact that their participation is so high shows that this is a valuable resource to them. The funding of academic programs is a key goal of the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century and will such programs support our vision of a nationally competitive, student-centered research university serving Arkansas and the world."

William Sutton earned a bachelor’s of science in business administration from the University of Arkansas in 1953 and his doctor of juridical science (S. JD) in 1959. While a UA student, Mr. Sutton was president of the student body, the student attorney general and a member of the student senate.

He is managing partner for Friday Eldredge & Clark Attorneys at Law in Little Rock, where he has worked since 1959. Mr. Sutton has many professional honors and affiliations. He was the recipient of the Arkansas Bar Association Lawyer of the Year in 1990, honored with the Arkansas Association of Defense Counsel Outstanding Defense Attorney Award in 1994, president of the Pulaski County Bar Association from 1992-93, listed in "The Best Lawyers in America" business litigation, personal injury litigation and a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers and International Association of Defense Counsel.

Mr. Sutton is a member of the Campaign Steering Committee, he is also a member of the Leadership and Principal Gifts Committee and chair of the School of Law Campaign Committee.

Peggy Sutton attended Henderson University then the University of Arkansas. Mr. and Mrs. Sutton are members of the Immanuel Baptist Church, have three children and four grandchildren.

Started in 1998, the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century is a seven-year effort to raise $900 million in private gift support by June 30, 2005. Campaign funds are being used to help the University achieve its vision for the twenty-first century. Campaign funds are being raised for six critical areas of need: endowed faculty positions, scholarship funds, academic programs, University Libraries, academic facilities and equipment and annual giving.

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