FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas School of Law will host the inaugural class of the Arkansas Public Service Academy on Saturday, Jan. 18. The Arkansas Bar Association and the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service created the program to provide service-minded lawyers with the tools they need for service in both elected office and as volunteers. 

"This is an important initiative, and we are happy to be included as a sponsor and to provide space for the program," said Margaret Sova McCabe, dean of the law school. "We're also proud of our 16 students and alumni who were accepted to the academy."

Members of the inaugural class of 24 lawyers and 12 students were announced in October 2019 after a selection process that included an essay on the applicant's vision for public service. 

The class met Nov. 15-16 in Little Rock, gathering at the Clinton School and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law for panels and workshops led by legal educators, current and former office-holders, journalists, campaign consultants and others. The second part of their training will be held Jan. 17-18 in Fayetteville, where they will meet at the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce and the University of Arkansas School of Law. 

The academy is sponsored by the University of Arkansas School of Law, University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, Rose Law Firm, Arkansas Bar Association President Brian Rosenthal and the Civil Practice Section and Government Practice Section of the Arkansas Bar Association. It is chaired by Maggie Benson and Nate Looney, who also serve on the steering committee with former Chief Justice Howard Brill, the Vincent Foster Professor of Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility at the University of Arkansas School of Law; Circuit Judge Earnest Brown; and Arkansas House Speaker Matthew Shepherd.