The professional malpractice lawyers at Friday, Eldredge & Clark cover all of Arkansas in defending lawyers, accountants, physicians, architects and other professional service providers. We have tried hundreds of malpractice cases and are familiar with state and federal regulations governing standards of care for professionals and represent professionals before their various licensing boards. When malpractice allegations arise, we counsel our clients on the best approach to a defense (including settlement, arbitration, or mediation when that is the best option) at every stage of litigation, from investigations to appeals.
Beyond the realm of litigation, we provide a broad spectrum of business, tax and personal services to our professional services industry clients.
Focus on Clients
- Accountants
- Architects and designers
- Lawyers
- Physicians and other healthcare providers
Focus on Services
In general, we can advise service providers regarding entity formation, tax, regulatory, finance and real estate transactions. We provide advice on the structure and choice of entity for their professional services practice and assist in the design and preparation of agreements among members of professional group practices and succession planning. We also provide both design and implementation advice on employee benefit plans and executive compensation as well as general employment advice; and we guide them through estate, tax and wealth planning matters.
Accountants - We have defended and resolved claims against accountants and accounting firms arising out of audits and the preparation of tax returns and financial statements. That includes representing accountants in investigations by Arkansas State Board of Accountancy.
Lawyers - For many years, we have helped lawyers and their firms when they are faced with disputes with their current or former clients. In addition to defending them in litigation, we have served as counsel when our peers are called before the Office of the Arkansas Supreme Court Committee on Professional Conduct to face allegations that could lead to suspension or disbarment.
Physicians and Other Health Care Providers - Because of the volume of cases we have tried, we are deeply experienced in the presentation of complex scientific evidence relating to medical issues, surgical procedures and DNA results. We have defended clients in catastrophic injury cases, and because of our track record, we are often called upon to serve as regional counsel in major litigation cases. For physicians and health care providers, we provide compliance counsel on a multitude of regulatory issues in their industry.
Focused on our Team
Our Litigation Practice Group is made up of more than 40 attorneys and is the largest and most experienced in Arkansas with a combined total of more than 900 years of legal experience. The group includes eight Fellows in the American College of Trial Lawyers and six attorneys are either associates, advocates and diplomates of the American Board of Trial Advocates.
Each attorney focuses their practice on a specific area or areas of law and many have been recognized for their work in The Best Lawyers in America (25), Chambers USA (9), Mid-South Super Lawyers (25) and Benchmark Litigation (5). Chambers USA also recognized the litigation attorneys as a group by consistently ranking them in Band 1, the highest-ranking category commenting:
“Offers impressive bench strength and US coverage to domestic and international clients across a range of commercial disputes. Enjoys an excellent reputation in the market for its expertise in class action matters, including product liability. Additional strength in complex medical malpractice defense cases and demonstrates specialist capabilities in railroad litigation.”
- Chambers USA 2020