Rhonda K. Wood (born 1969) is an American lawyer who has served as an associate justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court since 2015.[1] She previously served as a judge on the Arkansas Court of Appeals from 2013 to 2014, and as a trial court judge for the Arkansas 20th Judicial Circuit from 2007 to 2012.[1]
Early life and education
Wood was born in Iowa in 1969.[2] She moved to Arkansas in 1994 to study at Hendrix College in Conway, where she completed a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in political science in 1996.[2][3] She completed a Juris Doctor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law in 1999.[1]
Career
After graduating, Wood started her own law practice in Conway, which was eventually bought out by another law firm, Williams & Anderson of Little Rock.[4] She specialized in appellate law, health law, and business law.[3] Wood also worked as an assistant dean at the Bowen School of Law at UALR from 2002 to 2006.[3]
Since September 2022, Wood has co-hosted the podcast Lady Justice: Women of the Court with former Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack of Michigan and Chief Justice Beth Walker of West Virginia to discuss state courts, the law and its real-world implications.[5]
Judicial service
In 2006, Governor Mike Huckabee appointed Wood as a trial court judge, serving on the Arkansas 20th Judicial Circuit Court, which covers three counties: Faulkner, Searcy, and Van Buren. She was re-elected to a six-year term on this court in 2008.[4]
In 2010, Wood challenged incumbent Josephine L. Hart for a seat on the Arkansas Court of Appeals for district 2. Wood was defeated, receiving 48% of the vote, compared to 52% for Hart.[6] In 2012, Wood ran again for a seat on the Arkansas Court of Appeals, and this time she won, defeating Mitch Cash and winning 63% of the vote.[2]
In 2014, Wood ran for a seat on the Arkansas Supreme Court for position 7, and was elected unopposed.[7][8] Her eight-year term on the court expires in January 2023, and she is eligible to run for re-election in November 2022.[9]
References
- ^ a b c "Associate Justice Rhonda K. Wood, Position 7". Arkansas Judiciary. State of Arkansas. 2016. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
- ^ a b c Keith, Tammy (June 24, 2012). "Rhonda Wood". River Valley & Ozark. Little Rock. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
- ^ a b c Jennifer, Stanley (August 2015). "For the Greater Good: Justice Wood's Career Full of Accolades". Women's Inc. Conway, Arkansas. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
- ^ a b "40 Under 40 2009: Rhonda Wood". Arkansas Business. Little Rock. 2009. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
- ^ Development, PodBean. "Lady Justice: Women of the Court". ladyjustice.podbean.com.
- ^ Lynch, John (May 13, 2012). "2 Appeals Court Judges Seek Justice Position". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Little Rock. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
- ^ "Judge Rhonda Wood to run for Arkansas Supreme Court post". Talk Business & Politics. Natural State Media. June 3, 2013. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
- ^ "2014 Election Filings". Arkansas Online. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. March 2014. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
- ^ "Arkansas Judicial Elections 2014" (PDF). Administrative Office of the Courts. State of Arkansas. 2014. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
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