“As individuals and collectively, we can make a difference in the lives of so many people who are in need. Donate your time and your talents. Make a difference.”
Jim and Patti Julian with Chief Justice Jim Hannah at Jim’s investiture
Chief Justice Jim Hannah administers the oath of office to Jim
Jim with partners Chuck Nestrud (left) and Larry Chisenhall (right) 22
The Arkansas Lawyer
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ties have helped me many times in looking at legal issues from different perspectives. When I have a litigation matter that I refer to Jim, I never have to second-guess or question what he is doing for the client. I can totally trust his ability and judgment and that, for me, is a very comforting feeling.” Chuck Nestrud also speaks highly of Jim. “I have had the privilege of being Jim’s friend and partner for over 30 years,” Chuck said. “We shared the struggles of being new lawyers, started and built a law firm, tried cases together, raised our families, vacationed, played golf — for my entire adult life Jim has had the office next door. I can thank Jim for making it a great ride.” “Jim can sell ice cream to Eskimos in a courtroom,” Chuck added. “Once I asked him to help a client, a sweet elderly woman, with pollution insurance coverage — convince a jury that gasoline is not a pollutant. The jury returned in his favor in 20 minutes.” Other than reading, Jim’s hobbies include playing golf, fishing, and cooking. Jim’s mother, Lucille Julian, taught him to cook before he left for college. “Thank goodness, or I would have starved,” he said. “She was known for her baked goods. I learned how to make her custard pies and apple pies. I can make a good crust but the frozen pie crusts are about as good and are much less work!” Jim said he enjoys cooking but rarely makes time for it unless it is too cold for golfing and fishing. He does entertain requests for pies from friends who have tasted his desserts and know of his hidden talent. As a sports fan, he loves all sports. Although he has the height for basketball, he did not play the game competitively after high school. He said he used to play for fun with a group of lawyers when he was younger, but they decided to quit when someone started getting injured during each game as they got older. Jim’s involvement with the Bar Association began in the early 1990s when he was asked to work on and chair the Association’s Legislation Committee. “In those days, we were extremely fortunate to have many members of our Association serving in both the House and Senate,” Jim said during his investiture. “In fact, the entire Senate Judiciary Committee was made up of members of this Association. They made our job easy. We knew that they would stop illadvised legislation from getting too far. “With the passage of our term-limits laws,
the landscape changed dramatically. In the recent past we went through one session with only one lawyer serving in the Senate and only a handful in the House. This caused us to rethink and revamp our approach to the legislative process. I believe we have a strong legislative program now with Jack McNulty as our lobbyist, Dennis Zolper as our Jurisprudence and Law Reform Committee chair and Roy Beth Kelly as our Legislation Committee chair. “The Bar Association formed a Political Action Committee several years ago to encourage lawyers to run for the state legislature. Every election year the PAC gives all it can to each lawyer willing to make a run at a legislative seat. We must increase our support for the PAC as an association. There is so much more we could do if we had the resources. “The benefits we get as an association in having our members elected to the legislature cannot be overstated. Therefore, as an Association, we must show our appreciation for those who are willing to run by helping them in any way that we can.” Jim said another reason for maintaining a presence in the legislature is for the Association to have a voice for the independent judiciary. “In meetings with bar leaders from across the country, I have been stunned by the impact of the economic downturn on the operation of the court system in other states,” Jim said. “Many have had hiring freezes in the judicial system, salaries have been frozen or there have been across the board salary reductions. And in some states, the legislature is shutting down the courts with mandatory furloughs to save money. Think of the impact this could have on the efficient operation of our justice system if these same economic impacts begin appearing in Arkansas. “We must do whatever is necessary to ensure that our judges are free from outside interference and that they are paid a reasonable salary. As a Bar Association, we must be vigilant to repel any and all attacks on the independence of our judiciary.” In addition to helping members get elected in the state legislature, Jim wants to encourage members to also consider running for their local city council, school board, civic clubs, neighborhood associations, and any other public position that allow them to make an impact on their community. Jim leads by example. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Arkansas for over 10 years