Young attorney chooses to hang shingle in Calico Rock

In a time when many rural areas have been deemed “legal deserts”, north central Arkansas included, some young lawyers are choosing to venture outside the norm and locate in small towns in need of legal services.

Most everyone has need of a lawyer at some point in life whether it be to buy or sell property, assist with estate planning such as wills and trusts, or help with some other commonly encountered situation where legal involvement is helpful, if not necessary.

As for myself, having recently turned 70 as well as gotten married, I started thinking it was about time to get my legal house in order, beginning with the development of a will and establishment of a trust.

So, when I saw on Facebook that a lawyer was planning to set up shop in Calico Rock, I was given even more motivation to get busy and make it happen.  Enter young Matthew Willard, Attorney at Law, to fill the local legal void.

During a recent sit-down with Mr. Willard, I had the opportunity to ask him about his venture into starting his own law practice and laudable decision to bring his skills to Calico Rock.

Willard himself grew up and graduated high school in Bay, Arkansas in 2016.  His connection and familiarity with Calico Rock came via his wife, Katie, the daughter of Kenny and Joni Hamby, and niece of Mayor Greg Hamby.

One might ask how a high schooler from Bay met and married a gal from Calico Rock?  Well, Willard said that he had attended a state high school basketball tournament held in Izard County in which both town’s teams were competing, the two caught each other’s eye and the rest is history.

Following receipt of his undergraduate degree from ASU, the couple was married, at which time he entered law school.

Graduating from the William H. Bowen School of Law and passing the Arkansas Bar in 2023, he first took a fulltime job with the U.S. Federal Reserve branch office in Little Rock while Katie worked to finish pharmacy school at Harding.

Early legal experience had been gained while Willard was in law school when he clerked part time for a firm specializing in estate law, a specialty area which gave him the opportunity to gain valuable, hands-on experience.

The couple had their first child early this year, an event which motivated them to consider moving “back home” to be closer to family.  For some time, Matthew had played with the idea of starting his own legal practice, and this move presented a possible opportunity to make that dream a reality.

During his time in law school he had heard of a program which incentivized young lawyers to practice in rural areas in an effort to provide services to the aforementioned “legal deserts”.  Although he had been out of school for a couple of years, he contacted the Dean at William H. Bowen to inquire if the program was still active and if so, could he still apply.

 

The William H. Bowen School of Law “Rural Practice Incubator Project” was in fact just restarting and yes, Matthew could apply.  After submission of a resume and application, followed by a couple of interviews he was accepted into the 18-month program.  Under the program some financial assistance is provided to help a young lawyer with start-up.

 

Contacts with other area attorneys were provided to help Matthew build his network and learn the ins and outs of the area and the legal landscape.  The result is that Matthew has his office set up in Calico Rock on Garden Street in the space adjacent to Boyd’s Tax Service.

 

To help pay the bills as his private practice gains traction, Willard is also working part-time, two days a week, for the Sharp County Prosecutor’s office, a situation which at this time prevents him from handling any criminal cases as a private attorney.

 

When asked what he felt was his legal area of specialty, Willard was quick to say estate planning such as helping folks to develop a will, getting a will through probate or setting up trusts.  “Everybody needs it, in my opinion.  Most folks don’t know the details about what happens legally when they or someone they love passes away.”

 

Many people as they age begin to get stressed about what will happen with their assets, property, money, etc.  Helping them get past that by working to ensure their wishes are carried out seemed a large part of Matthew’s passion for this area of the law.

 

Additionally, uncertainty, stress and yes, sometimes conflict amongst the surviving family members around how things will go can be eliminated through a well-developed estate plan.

 

Other than criminal cases, Willard indicated his private practice was capable of handling most other legal matters such as property sale/purchase closures, civil cases, divorce, etc.

 

Willard’s probate work involves assisting with the distribution of a deceased individual’s assets, including estate administration and guardianship proceedings.  He also accepts cases involving family law, providing compassionate legal guidance in matters of divorce, child custody, and family-related agreements.

 

In estate planning, Willard drafts wills, trusts, sets up powers of attorney and beneficiary designations. . . again, to ensure wishes are honored and assets are protected.

 

When asked what he does in his spare time, did he have hobbies, he shared he was a hunter and had just taken the prior Friday off to get in the deer woods during black powder season.  Of course, he also admitted that he was sort of a nerd in that he loved reading through legal statutes and case law, something for which many lawyers don’t really have a fondness.

 

Being a relatively new father, he tries to spend as much quality time as possible with his eight month old daughter.

 

I must say that I was impressed with this young man’s professionalism as well as easy-going manner which I’m sure set his clients, current and future, at ease.

 

So, if you have a legal need, you might give Matthew Willard Law a call at 501-428-3181 or shoot an email to [email protected].  His office is located at 20 Garden Street in Calico Rock, however as his involvement with the Sharp County prosecutor’s office often has him in court, it’s recommended that anyone interested in his services or has a legal issue in need of attention call or email to set up an appointment.