John Selig, “of counsel” to Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, P.L.L.C. believes that if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing well. And his belief in this truism is illustrated in all aspects of his life. At the age of 70, his list of accomplishments and awards is far too long to list, he remains more active than a 25-year-old and he maintains an earnest commitment to the community and its people through his service on numerous boards and committees.
A native of Chicago, Selig and his family moved to Pine Bluff when he was a toddler. He graduated from Pine Bluff High, and then went on to receive degrees at Tulane University, University of Arkansas Law School and New York University Graduate Law School. He said the best decision he ever made was to marry his wife, Judy. “Between us we have three children: Leah Elenzweig, Michael Selig and Amber Selig.” The couple also has four grandchildren, all of whom live in Little Rock.
Selig, who is a retired U.S. Army Colonel and a former Securities Commissioner of Arkansas, served as partner with Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard from 1980 to 2006. “Since 2007, I’ve been (and still am) ‘of counsel’ to the firm,” he said. He’s also still involved in supporting the community initiatives of Mitchell Williams, particularly their Take Time to Give program.
Begun in 2004, Take Time to Give was established as a way to celebrate the firm’s 50th anniversary. “The firm has always been known for three things: integrity, professionalism and community involvement,” said Selig, who was managing partner at the time. “Rather than come up with some kind of big celebration, we decided to do something more fitting for us that was a way to give back to the community which has been so good to the firm.”
Take Time to Give allows Mitchell Williams to lend support to charitable organizations through financial contribution and pro bono services. During the first year of the program, Selig said the firm donated 8,270 hours of total service to the community, which, at an average value of $100 per hour, equaled a contribution of $827,000. Since 2004, the firm has been able to assist more than 150 organizations throughout Arkansas and the region.
“The program is an important way for each of us in the firm and the firm as a whole to make a meaningful contribution in the four cities in which we have offices and in the local communities we serve—Little Rock and central Arkansas; Rogers and northwest Arkansas; Austin; and New York City. It carries on the tradition Maurice Mitchell established for the firm when he and others founded it more than 55 years ago.”
In honor of the firm’s 55th anniversary last year, Mitchell Williams selected one primary charity on which to focus, allowing the firm to make a more significant difference for that particular organization. The recipient was Arkansas Foodbank Network.
This year’s primary charity—Our House—was chosen following a call for nominations during October and November 2009. “Our House provides the working homeless (families and individuals) with safe, clean, comfortable housing, food, free childcare, education (more than 20 different courses) and job training, so they may return to independence and lead productive lives,” said Selig.
Always looking to the future, Mitchell Williams is striving to make it even easier for local non-profits to find out more about the program and get involved. On Friday, Feb. 12, they will launch TakeTimeToGive.com. “The site will serve as a vehicle for awareness, advocacy and promotion available to Arkansas non-profits,” he said. “It’s not just about Mitchell Williams’ charitable citizenship—it’s about meeting our corporate social responsibility to our communities.”
TIDBITS
Favorite place: We’ve got six acres of dirt, rock, trees and sky. The views are spectacular to the south and southwest and (particularly in the late fall and winter) to the north and northwest. We have lots of wildlife visit us.
Favorite book(s): “Team of Rivals” by Doris Kearns Goodwin, “Franklin and Winston” by Jon Meacham and anything by Nelson DeMille
Awards:
• Listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 1991
• 2002 Inductee in the Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame
• University of Arkansas School of Law Outstanding Alumnus
• 2003 “Boss of the Year” by the Greater Little Rock Legal Support Professionals
• Top Ranked in 2009 Chambers U.S.A. Guide to the World’s Leading Lawyers for Business
• 2009 Mid-South Super Lawyers
• Best Lawyers 2010 Little Rock Corporate Lawyer of the Year