About Rhonda Wood

A WORD FROM JUDGE RHONDA WOOD:

My name is Judge Rhonda Wood. I am currently serving as a Circuit Judge for the 20th Judicial District.

I am asking for your support and vote on May 18, 2010 for the District 2, Position 1 position on the Arkansas Court of Appeals. A primary responsibility of the Court of Appeals is to review trial court decisions. I am the only candidate running with experience as a trial court judge. I have heard over 3500 cases since taking the bench. I believe this experience is vital as an appellate judge. It is difficult to sit in review of a process as an appellate judge if you have not been part of the process as a circuit judge. I have worked extremely hard as Circuit Judge and will continue to work just as hard as your Court of Appeals Judge.

I received my B.A. degree from Hendrix, magna cum laude, and my juris doctorate from the Bowen School of Law with highest honors. I practiced law for many years and I was the Assistant Dean at the Bowen School of Law. My time as Assistant Dean had the greatest impact on how I approach the law. As Assistant Dean, I managed my staff, my budget, a constant influx of students, political pressure, and I spent a great deal of time studying and teaching the law. This experience made transitioning from lawyer to judge and manager of a small company much easier (I have 17 employees on my Circuit Judge staff). It also means that I approach the law as an academic and do not make any decision in haste. I spend a considerable amount of time researching issues before rendering a decision.

Just a few of my achievements include having the top score on the Arkansas Bar Examination, being named Arkansas Business Professional Women’s Elected Official of the Year, being selected as one of Arkansas Business’ Forty Under Forty, receiving an Outstanding Service Award and a Best of CLE Award from the Ark. Bar Assoc., contributing to two Ark. Bar Assoc. publications, and serving 3 terms as delegate to the Ark. Bar Assoc., representing Faulkner, Pulaski, Van Buren, & Searcy counties. I have practiced before the Ark. Court of Appeals, the Ark. Supreme Court, the U. S. District Court, the U. S. Bankruptcy Court, and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. I am married to Dr. Michael Wood and we have four children. We are members of First Presbyterian Church.

I believe I am in a unique position as Mother, Wife, Small Business Owner, Educator, Lawyer, and Circuit Judge to appreciate many different perspectives as an Appellate Judge. This is extremely relevant as the Court of Appeals hears a wide variety of cases. I have spent a good deal of time as a Circuit Judge hearing precisely these types of cases. I have decided a large number of juvenile cases and will have this unique experience when reviewing juvenile cases on the Court of Appeals. In addition, the Court of Appeals hears many civil cases from business disputes to property disputes. My experience as a small business owner, practicing business law attorney, professor teaching business law, and especially, my having heard these same types of cases as Circuit Judge, makes me uniquely qualified for the Court of Appeals.

It has been my honor to serve the 20th District as Circuit Judge and I hope you will allow me to continue serving and making a difference in the lives of others throughout the entire State of Arkansas on the Court of Appeals.

I promise that with your support, I will work tirelessly as your Judge on the Arkansas Court of Appeals to the absolute best of my abilities. While I am not perfect and cannot guarantee that you will agree with all my decisions, I can give you my word to treat everyone in Court with respect and fairness at all times. I pledge to follow the law in a consistent manner. I ask for you support and vote on May 18, 2010! Thank you for your time and consideration!

- Judge Rhonda Wood