Michael P. Vanderford, Partner

Mike Vanderford is a senior partner who has been with the firm since 1993. He has tried numerous cases throughout the state of Arkansas ranging from complex commercial construction litigation to catastrophic personal injury litigation. His diverse insurance defense practice and over 30 years of litigation experience have earned him yearly recognition in the Best Lawyers in America, Top Lawyers Corporate Counsel, and Mid-South Super Lawyers. Mike is regularly asked to speak at CLE events on litigation topics and is an active member of numerous professional organizations, including the International Association of Defense Counsel. Mike was instrumental in creating and developing the Little Rock Children’s Protection Center. He served the organization as President of the Board of Directors from 2005-2015 and is currently on the Board.

Areas of Practice:
Construction / Surety Defense
Personal Injury Litigation
Product / Premises Liability Defense
Professional Malpractice Defense
Property and Casualty Defense
Toxic Tort Defense

Litigation Percentage:
100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions:
Arkansas, 1993
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Arkansas, 1993
U.S. District Court Western District of Arkansas, 1993
U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1993

Education:
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Leflar Law Center, Fayetteville, Arkansas
J.D.
Law Review: University of Arkansas Law Review, Note and Comment Editor
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, 1990
B.A.
Major: English

Honors and Awards:
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, 2010–2024
Listed, Mid-South Super Lawyers, 2013–2023
Recognized as Best Lawyers’ 2014 and 2018 Little Rock Professional Malpractice Law — Defendants “Lawyer of the Year”
Martindale–Hubbell AV Rating

Professional Associations and Memberships:
Litigation Counsel of America — Fellow
International Association of Defense Counsel
American Board of Trial Advocates — Member
Defense Research Institute — Member
Trial Law Institute — Member
Diversity Law Institute — Member
Arkansas Association of Defense Counsel — Member
American Bar Association — Member
Arkansas Bar Association — Member
Pulaski County Bar Association — Member
Little Rock Children’s Protection Center — Alumni, Board of Directors

Published Works:
Secured Transactions in Arkansas: Living with both the Rebutable Presumption and the Absolute Bar, Ark. Law Review, Vol. 46 Rev. 2, 1993