1821 S. Broadway
Little Rock, AR 72206
JamesFirm.com
(501) 375-0900

Criminal appeals is a unique area of the law where you have a dual focus on your client’s needs, as well as making sure you create positive changes to the current state of the law. Lee D. Short understands that when clients hire him for an appeal he is often their last line of defense, and their lives are completely in his hands. “Some clients have had a negative experience with the judicial system at trial, and I try to make sure their faith is restored,” he says. “I have had the privilege to assist numerous clients regain their freedom from prison. Some of those cases have taken years to achieve justice, but it makes the result that much better. The system of justice we have in this country only works if both sides do their best and a neutral judge sorts it out; therefore, I make sure every client gets everything I have. When you spend the time with your client and get to know his story, along with getting to know his family, it makes it easy to work hard to do your best for them.”

In the past four years alone, Short has written over 50 appeals, including a death penalty appeal. He has also handled several other post-conviction cases. “I was fortunate to have been successful in altering the law in several cases,” he says. “I have conducted oral argument before the Arkansas Supreme Court, Arkansas Court of Appeals, and Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals on several occasions.”

Short currently sits on the Committee of the Unauthorized Practice of Law and is a board member for the Pulaski County Bar Association. He has presented numerous times for continuing legal education courses on appellate issues.

“I think Bill and I make a great team because I enjoy spending time in the ivory tower talking law with judges; whereas Bill is fond of talking to jurors about common sense, real-world issues. One thing we share is that we hate to lose, but love to battle.”

EDUCATION
University of the Ozarks, B.A., philosophy/religion
Pepperdine University School of Law, J.D.