About Rhonda Wood

Judge Rhonda Wood is a full-time Circuit Judge for the 20th District Circuit Court of Arkansas. In 2006 she was appointed by Governor Mike Huckabee to the position to serve a two year term, and in 2008 she was elected to remain in the position for another six year term. As a full-time Circuit Judge, she hears a variety of cases from complex civil litigation trials, criminal felony cases,  to juvenile cases. She also hears appeals from the part-time District Judges. 

Prior to taking the bench, Judge Wood was the Assistant Dean of Student Development at the UALR Bowen School of Law. She taught business law and health law courses. Before her tenure at the law school, Judge Wood owned a private law practice in Conway. She was also a former Associate Attorney at Willams & Anderson, LLP. She is an experienced trial, transactional, and appellate lawyer.

In addition to her legal career, she is an experienced small businesswomen. Judge Wood has owned and operated several small businesses, prior to taking the full-time bench. She understand the needs of the business community. She has been honored to receive the support of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce.

Judge Wood received her B. A. in Politics from Hendrix College, where she graduated magna cum laude, and she received her Juris Doctorate from the UALR Bowen School of Law where she graduated with the highest honors. She was awarded the Arkansas Law Graduate of the Year, and she received the top score on the Arkansas Bar Exam. 

Several years ago, Judge Wood was selected as one of Arkansas Business’s Forty under Forty young achievers. Judge Wood is a certified faculty member for the National Center for State Courts and conducts education programs for other Judges including the Arkansas' New Judges Boot Camp. Judge Wood was selected as the Arkansas Women’s Professional Business Association’s Elected Official of the Year. She has been named Outstanding Judicial Newcomer by the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and Community Leader of the Year by the Conway Morning Rotary Club.

Judge Wood has founded several innovative court programs that have been adopted by other judges around the state. She volunteers her time on almost every Monday evening through the school year to run a Teen Court program for teens in her area.  In her spare time, Judge Wood has been very active in the Arkansas Bar Association and the Arkansas Judicial Council. She serves on the Judicial Council's Long Range Planning and Education Committees. She co-chairs the Juvenile Drug Court Committee. Additionally, she is a Founding Board Member of the Conway Interfaith Clinic and Board Member of the Nominating Committee for the Central Arkansas Big Brothers/Big Sisters Organization. 

Judge Wood resides in Conway and is married to Dr. Michael Wood. They have four children. They are long time members of First Presbyterian Church.