Herschel H. Friday A lawyer Citizen Without Peer By William H. "Buddy" Sullon
A tree is best measured when it is down. - Woodsman's Proverb Even at age 72 the robust health, inexhaustible energy and kaleidoscopic interest of Herschel Friday established a pace that seldom allowed pauses to reflect upon his accomplishments or to take his measurements. When he died unexpectedly in a plane crash on March 1, 1994, a closer look was in order. Even those who knew him best found that his quiet modesty had concealed the depth and breadth of his labor. Sincere tributes in unprecedented numbers and forms appeared in media stories, editorials, ads and testimonials from the ew York Times to small, inhouse publications. Born Februa ry 10, 1922, in Lockesburg, Arkansas, Herschel attended schools in Horatio and later in Little Rock. He was a graduate of Little Rock Junior College and received his law degree from the University of Arkansas Law School in Fayetteville in 1947. After serving as a lecturer in la\\' at the University of Arkansas and as law clerk for United Stales District judge John E. Miller, he joined the law firm of Mehaffy, Smith and Williams (now Friday, Eldredge & Clark) in 1952. He had served as senior partner of the firm from 1974 until his death. Herschel's distinguished service to the law profession and to humanity in general brought him many honors and citations of gratitude. In 1971 he received the Outstanding Lawyer Award from the Arkansas Bar Association and the Man of the Year Award from the Arkansas Democrat. He was March of Dimes 4 ARKANSAS LAWYER
SPRING 1994
Citizen of the Year (1981), recipient of the Harrison Tweed Award (1979), Distinguished Alumnus of UALR (1976), Arkansan of the Year Award by the Arkansas Easter Seal Society (1989), William F. Rector Award for Distinguished Civic Achievement by Fifty for the Future (1989), and Distinguished Citizen of the Year by KARK-TV and the Office of the Governor (1992). In 1993 the Herschel H. Friday courtroom at the UALR School of Law was dedicated in his honor. As a member of the American Bar
Association, Mr. Friday served on the ABA's Executive Committee, Board of Governors, House of Delegates, Standing Committee on Continuing Education, Consulting Panel on Advanced Judicial and Legal Education, and the Task Force on Professional Competence. Mr. Friday also served on the Board of Directors of
the American Bar Endowment, as a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation Board, the American Judicature Society, American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Bar Institute. Within the Arkansas Bar Association, of which he was a member, Fr. Friday served as President. Chair of the Executive Council and Chair of the Law School Committee during his career. At the time of his death, he was the longest standing member of the Board of Directors of Arkansas Children's Hospital, a position he held since 1952. He was also serving on the Board of Directors of First Commercial orporation, Creat Lakes Chemical Corporation, Dillard Department Stores, Inc., and as a member and Secretary to the Board of Directors of Oaklawn jockey Club, Inc. He was a former member of
the Board of Directors of Union Pacific Railroad Company and Southwestern BeU Corpora tion. Richard s. Arnold, Chief judge, U.s. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit wrote of Herschel: There was never anything grudging about him, no holding back, no residue or smallness. When public duty called, he answered gladly. It was not merely his duty, it was his habit, to do his utmost. He gave full measure, pressed down and running over. I recall especially one time that was unhappy for Herschel. There was reason to think he would be appointed to the Supreme Court. At the last minute, somebody else got the job. Some people - even some people in the American Bar Association - said Herschel was not qualified. This was nonsense of course; but the important point is that in the aftermath Herschel Friday demonstrated qualities of heart and character more valuable than any public preferment. He would not criticize the American IBar, which he had loved and served and continued to serve. He would not voice a word of bitterness. He just kept on being Herschel Friday - a lawyer citizen without
peer. Herschel is survived by his wife, ancy Elizabeth Friday; two sons, Gregory David Friday and Stephen Herschel Friday, and four grandchildren. Memorials can be made to Arkansas Children's Hospital, the Arkansas Bar Foundation, Herschel H. Friday Scholarship Fund, or the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law, Herschel H. Friday Law Library Endowment.