FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – William H. “Buddy” Sutton will be the featured speaker at the 2009 University of Arkansas School of Law Commencement on Saturday, May 16, at the Fayetteville Town Center. The graduation procession will begin at 2 p.m.

Sutton joined Friday, Eldredge & Clark, Arkansas’ largest law firm, in 1959. He served for many years as managing partner of the firm until his retirement in 2005. He is recognized widely as one of the state’s finest lawyers.

Sutton has been the recipient of a number of awards that recognize professional excellence, among them the Arkansas Bar Association Lawyer of the Year Award and the Arkansas Association of Defense Counsel Outstanding Defense Attorney Award. This past October, he was recognized by the Association of Legal Administrators as a “Legal Legend.”

Sutton received his undergraduate degree at the University of Arkansas in 1953. After serving in the Korean War, Sutton returned to Fayetteville to pursue his legal education. He earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree in 1959. While at the School of Law, he served as a member of Blue Key, as president of the student body and as student attorney general.

“We are honored that Buddy Sutton, one of our most supportive and successful alumni, will be the law school commencement speaker,” said Cynthia Nance, dean of the School of Law. “Mr. Sutton is a shining example of the kind of lawyer we hope all our students become – one who is synonymous with professionalism, civility and service.”

Sutton has a distinguished history of service to his community, state and alma mater. He is the recipient of the 1999 Arkansas Boys and Girls Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch Award and the 2002 National Conference for Community and Justice of Arkansas National Humanitarian Award, and he was named the 2004 Easter Seals Arkansan of the Year. He has served on the University of Arkansas 2010 Commission, the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century Steering Committee and is a member of the executive committee of the Board of Advisors. In addition, his name is well-known to School of Law students. He established the William H. Sutton Barrister’s Union, a program that allows students to train and compete in mock trials.