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The Decline of the Lawver Legislator Don Hollingsworth E-mail: dhollingsworth@arkbar.com requently I hear friends and acquaintances remark that lawyers dominate the ranks of the Arkansas asked the Legislature. When percemage of lawyers serving in our state legislature, their responses range from 30% to over 50%. The reality is much different. There are nineteen lawyers serving in the 2001 General Assembly (nine Senators and (en Representatives), Thus, lawyers comprise only 14% of the 135 Senators and Representatives. In the House, only 10% of the Representatives afC lawyers. Twelve lawyer legislators did not return co Arkansas Legislature in 200 I. Since there were only fouf lawyers newly elected to the Legislature this year, there is a nct loss of eight lawyer legislators. (The four new legislators are Senator Alvin Simes and Representatives Marvin Childers. Sam
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Ledbener and John VerKamp.) Currendy rhe House Judiciary Commince has only five lawyer members our of20. The Senate Judiciary Committee is composed of seven Senarors, five of whom arc lawyers. If current trends cominue. tcrm limics will further reduce the number oflawyers in the [wo Judiciary Comminees. Arkansas is not alone in the decline of 3norneys serving in state legislatures. In 1995 attorneys comprised 15% of the members in state legislatures nationwide. The percentage in 1976 was 22%. (The National Conference of State Legislarures will have the 2000 figures later this year.) The size of the decrease in lawyer legislators in Arkansas from 1999 to 2001 was impacted by our new tCfm limits. Predictions are that term lim irs will cause another significant reduction in the number of lawyer legislacors in 2003 and 2005. (Among the nineteen states with
term limits for Ic:gislacors, Arkansas has the mOSt draconian version. The lifetime limit for service in the House is three terms for a total of six years. In the Senate, the lifetime limit is two terms for a rotal of eight years.) The decline in the number oflawyers in the Arkansas Legislature will not be reversed overnighr. At a minimum, each of us should provide support for lawyers who consider a race for the Arkansas Legislature, including financial and volunteer assistance during the campaign. Even better, I hope you will encourage lawyers with good lawmaking talents to run for the legislature. _
Congratulations to Herschel Cleveland on his e1eaion as Speaker Designate of the House of Represencatives in 2003.
The Arkansas Bar Association is proud 10 recognize Ihe lawvers in Ihe 2001 General Assemblll Senators (L to R): Mike Beebe John Brown Gunner Delay Hike Everett Cliff Hoofman Jodie Mahony David Malone Alvin Simes
Doyle Webb
Representatives (L to R): Jo Canon Marvin Childers Henchel Cleveland Mike Hathorn Russ Hunt Sam Ledbetter Steve Napper Chaney Taylor John VerKamp Shawn Womack