Bill Waddell, Commissioner

Partner and Practice Group Leader - Friday, Eldredge & Clark

B.A. History/Spanish, University of Central Arkansas
J.D., UALR-Bowen School of Law

Bill Waddell was appointed to the Commission in November 2008 by Ms. Rosalind Mouser, former president of the Arkansas Bar Association.

“Bill shares my basic thoughts that, at the least, ‘Justice for all’—as our Pledge of Allegiance ends—includes the protection of the rule of law, no one citizen experiencing less justice than another, and the support of an independent judiciary,” Ms. Mouser said. “He truly understands that ‘Justice for all’ means some of us have to step up and not only speak justice but do justice. Bill will be a great asset to the Commission, and I am grateful for his service."

Mr. Waddell is a partner and practice group leader at the law firm Friday, Eldredge & Clark. He practices business litigation and regulation with additional focuses on agricultural law as general counsel for the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation, and on religious law as Chancellor of the Arkansas Conference, United Methodist Church.

Mr. Waddell also has a long history of pro bono work, including approximately 200 pro bono adoption cases.

“Bill brings a professional lifetime of working on behalf of the legal profession, including working to achieve the goal of equal access to civil justice for all Arkansans,” said Prof. Charles Goldner, Chair of the Arkansas Access to Justice Commission. “I know he will make a tremendous contribution to the work of the Commission as we move forward.”

Mr. Waddell is excited to continue his work for equal justice at the Commission.

"I am grateful to be a part of the Commission's important work,” Mr. Waddell said. “I believe meaningful access to the justice system is a vital component of the rule of law. Serving on the Commission allows me to act on a personal calling to social justice in an effective and meaningful way."

Mr. Waddell graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little School of Law in 1984. Before that he received a Bachelor of Arts in History and Spanish from the University of Central Arkansas. Mr. Waddell also spent a year in Madrid, Spain, as an ITT Fellow in Spanish Literature.

Mr. Waddell is married and has three children. When he’s not working, Mr. Waddell can be found kayaking, canoeing, and hiking with his family, or reading history and biographies.