Meet Ray

Ray Schlegel

Ray Schlegel (Of Counsel)

After graduating law school with honors in 2001, Ray Schlegel immediately began litigating catastrophic injury cases, insurance claims, and complex commercial matters. With over 20 years experience in handling injury and wrongful death claims of all types as well as hundreds of criminal and family cases, he has a passion for advocating for the people and not the powerful.

Known amongst his peers as a meticulous and methodical tactician, he is a gifted legal writer and persuasive speaker that understands the needs of his clients. Ray has been recognized by numerous organizations to be among the top attorneys in his profession in the States of Arkansas and Oklahoma, but satisfaction of his clients is his top priority. Ray has tried successfully tried hundreds of jury and bench trials in cases of all types in both court and administrative proceedings.

He has also taught continuing legal education seminars to other attorneys on the handling of personal injury matters for the National Business Institute and is a frequent speaker/teacher at the University of Arkansas School of Law.

Outside of the Office

Ray is a proud “dance and baseball dad” spending countless hours and funds (hence the empty pockets) supporting his family. Ray is also an active in community organizations and is a member of the First United Methodist Church in Springdale, Arkansas.

In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, hunting, playing his guitar, water sports, and attending as many Razorback games as possible. He lives in Springdale with his wife and their 4 children.

Areas of Practice

  • Accidents, Disability, Family Law, Criminal Law

Bar Admissions

  • Arkansas, 2002, Oklahoma, 2002, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, U.S. District Court  for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals for the  8th Circuit.

Education

  • University of Arkansas School of Law, J.D., with honors (cum laude), 2001
  • Arkansas Law Review, Note and Comment Editor
  • Semifinalist, 2000 Ben J. Altheimer Moot Court Competition and 2nd Place for Best Brief
  •  University of Central Arkansas, B.S. in Biology, 1997

Honors and Awards

  • Named a Rising Star in the Mid-South Region by Superlawyers publication, 2011 – 2014
  • Named Top 40 Under 40 by The National Trial Lawyers, 2012 – 2014
  • Top 100 Trial Lawyer by The National Trial Lawyers, 2014 – present
  • Listed among the Top Young Attorneys in the Mid-South Region by Memphis Magazine, 2011 – 2014
  • Named as a Top 40 Litigation Lawyer Under 40 in the State of Arkansas by The American Society of Legal Advocates, 2013.
  • Rue Ratings’ Best Attorneys of America, Lifetime Charter Member
  • Professional Associations and Memberships
  • Arkansas Bar Association, North and West District Representative, Executive Council, Young Lawyers Section, 2001-2003.
  • Oklahoma Bar Association
  • Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association
  • Washington County Bar Association
  • Benton County Bar Association
  • American Association for Justice
  • The American Society of Legal Advocates
  • The National Trial Lawyers

Publications and Speaking Engagements

  • Zinger v. Terrell: The Collateral Estoppel Effect of Criminal Judgments in Subsequent Civil Litigation; New Law in Arkansas and the Questions Unanswered, 54 Ark. L. Rev. 127 (2001).
  • Writings published in the article The Mouse in the Annotated Bibliography: An Insurance Law Primer, 2000 Ark. L. Notes 85, at 104-06.
  • Presented continuing legal education seminars to other attorneys on handling personal injury litigation for the National Business Institute
  • Frequent lecturer at the University of Arkansas School of Law on the topics of torts, client intakes, and pre-litigation investigation and discovery.
  • Has spoken to elementary and junior high school classes on lawyering as a career