Richard N. Watts

Partner

richard.watts@wdtc.law

501-850-7097

Richard was born at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Sangley Pt., Philippines. He attended Fayetteville High School. Richard received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Arkansas in 1975. After his college graduation, Richard served in the United States Marine Corp, wherein he earned the rank of Major. Richard acquired his Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1982.

Richard and David began the firm in 2000. Richard is licensed to practice in both Arkansas and Texas. He is also licensed to practice in the United States District Courts of Arkansas, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and before the United States Supreme Court. Richard is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, American College of Trial Lawyers, and the William R. Overton Inn of Court, among others. Richard has received the Lawyer of the Year Award three times: 2013 for Products Liability, 2016 Construction Litigation, and 2018. Richard is co-author of Punitive Damages: A State-by-State Compendium, which was published in the DRI Defense Library.

Richard and his wife live in Little Rock. Their daughter, Peyton, is an attorney in Fayetteville. Richard loves his granddog, a mini–Australian Shepherd, named Murphy. Richard and Peyton enjoy scuba diving and make an annual trip to an exotic location each year. He also likes to spend time at the lake, read, and watch movies. Richard is also a history buff and is particularly intrigued by the American Civil War and the American Indian Wars. Richard appreciates the Little Rock night life and is always in search of a new, local eatery. He is our go-to restaurant aficionado.

Arkansas, 1982

Texas, 1989

United States District Court, Arkansas, Eastern & Western Districts

U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

United States Supreme Court

University of Arkansas (B.S., 1975; J.D., 1982).

Legal Assistant

McKenzie Ludvik

mckenzie.ludvik@wdtc.law

501-850-7169

Richard was born at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Sangley Pt., Philippines. He attended Fayetteville High School graduating in 1972. Richard received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Arkansas in 1975. After his college graduation, Richard served as an Infantry Officer in the United States Marine Corps where he earned the rank of Major. Richard acquired his Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1982.

Richard and David began the firm in 2000. Richard is licensed to practice in both Arkansas and Texas. He is also licensed to practice in the United States District Courts of Arkansas, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and before the United States Supreme Court. Richard is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, American College of Trial Lawyers, and the William R. Overton Inn of Court, among others. Richard has received the Lawyer of the Year Award three times: 2013 for Products Liability, 2016 Construction Litigation, and 2018. He has also been listed in the Top 50 Lawyers in Arkansas for over a decade. Richard is co-author of Punitive Damages: A State-by-State Compendium, which was published in the DRI Defense Library.

Richard and his wife live in Little Rock. Their daughter, Peyton, is an attorney in Fayetteville. Richard loves his granddog, a mini–Australian Shepherd, named Murphy. Richard and Peyton enjoy scuba diving and make an annual trip to an exotic location each year. He also likes to spend time at the lake, read, and watch movies. Richard is also a history buff and is particularly intrigued by the American Civil War and the American Indian Wars. Richard appreciates the Little Rock night life and is always in search of a new, local eatery. He is our go-to restaurant aficionado.

Arkansas, 1982

Texas, 1989

United States District Court, Arkansas, Eastern & Western Districts

U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

United States Supreme Court

University of Arkansas (B.S., 1975; J.D., 1982).

Pulaski County, Arkansas, Texas and American Bar Associations

American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow

American Board of Trial Advocates, Diplomate

International Association of Defense Counsel

Defense Research Institute

International Association of Arson Investigators

National Fire Protection Association

William R. Overton Inn of Court, Emeritus

[Major, USMCR 1975-1992]

Best Lawyers in America© recognition
          2013-present

Best Lawyers in America - Personal Injury &
          Products Liability Litigation

Mid-South Super Lawyers® selected to list
          2007-present

Top Fifty Lawyers - Arkansas - Super Lawyers

Punitive Damages: A State-by-State Compendium; Co-Author of the Arkansas section. The DRI Defense Library Series, 2009.

Robinson v. Willis,
Ark. App. 542, 562 S.W.3d 265 (2018)

Jones v. Duane Livingston Trucking, Inc.,

Leonetti's Frozen Foods, Inc. v. Rew Marketing, Inc.,
887 F.3d 438 (2018) (commercial litigation)

Moody v. Tarvin,
2016 Ark. App. 169, 486 S.W.3d 242 (2016)

Stoner v. Southern Farm Bureau Cas. Ins. Co.,
758 F.3d 991 (2014)

McCarty v. Southern Farm Bureau Cas. Ins. Co.,
758 F.3d 969 (2014)

Bunn Builders. Inc. v. Womack,
2011 Ark. 132 (2011) (arson and spoliation instruction).

Southern Farm Bureau Cas. Ins. Co. v. Watkins,
2011 Ark. App. 388, 386 S.W.3d 6 (2011) (insurance bad faith)

Farm Bureau Mut. Ins. Co. of Ark., Inc. v. Sells,
2010 Ark. App. 728 (2010) (insurance contract interpretation).

Rees v. McLaughlin,
2010 Ark. App. 617 (2010) (child custody and appellate procedure).

Bruce v. Hancock,
2010 Ark. App. 171 (2010) (motor vehicle negligence and grant of new trial).

Watkins v. Southern Farm Bureau Cas. Ins. Co.,
2009 Ark. App. 693, 370 S.W.3d 848 (2009)

Greenwood v. Anderson,
2009 Ark. 360, 324 S.W.3d 324 (2009) (wrongful death and parental immunity doctrine).

Francis v. Protective Life Ins. Co.,
371 Ark. 285, 265 S.W.3d 117 (2007) (appellate procedure).

Bradley v. Welch,
94 Ark. App. 171, 228 S.W.3d 559 (2006) (swimming pool premises liability).

Low v. Ins. Co. of N. Am.,
364 Ark. 427, 220 S.W.3d 670 (2005) (charitable immunity).

Anderson Gas & Propane, Inc. v. Westport Ins. Corp., 84 Ark. App. 310, 140 S.W.3d 504 (2004)

Capel v. Allstate Ins. Co.,
78 Ark. App. 27, 77 S.W.3d 533 (2002)

Smith v. Chemical Leaman Tank Lines, Inc.,
285 F.3d 750 (2002) (personal injury)