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Today's Featured Biography
Frederick Spencer
Frederick S. "Rick" Spencer
The history of the Spencer Law Firm founded in 1975 by Frederick S. "Rick" Spencer, Attorney at Law, is brief yet interesting. Certainly the beginnings of the firm varies in comparison to other law firms.
The firm actually began in early 1975 when Rick Spencer traveled from Fayetteville, Arkansas upon his graduation from the University of Arkansas School of Law, Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he earned his juris doctorate in law. Rick Spencer was born into a legal family. His father, J. V. Spencer, Jr., was a very successful trial lawyer in the south Arkansas town of El Dorado, Arkansas, having been picked for many years by the then state newspaper, The Arkansas Gazette, as one of the 10 best lawyers in the State of Arkansas. J. V. Spencer, Jr. was born of J. V. Spencer, Sr. who was also a very prominent and successful trial lawyer in south Arkansas. His father-in-law was also a very successful practicing attorney. Rick Spencer's grandfather began the first Arkansas Spencer Law Firm in the town of Strong, Arkansas at the turn of the century, after being raised in the town of Spencer, Louisiana. The town was so named after Mr. Spencer's forefathers who homesteaded much of what would later be called Spencer, Louisiana in the early 1800's.
After the Strong, Arkansas tornado in the early 1900’s which totally devastated the town, J. V. Spencer, Sr. moved with his family to the then smaller town of El Dorado, Arkansas, right about the time that the oil boom in south Arkansas began in the early twenties. Rick Spencer's father was born in 1920.
After graduating from law school in the early sixties, Rick Spencer's older brother, Jim Spencer, went into the family law firm of Spencer & Spencer in El Dorado, Arkansas, and was a member and later partner of this firm with his father and grandfather. But the younger son, Rick Spencer, rather than becoming a member of the long line of Spencers associated in law firms in south Arkansas and northern Louisiana, was enchanted with north central Arkansas. He felt that he could have more versatility and challenge by beginning a firm on his own after graduation from Law School. When he graduated in 1975, Rick Spencer started the Spencer Law Firm in Mountain Home, Arkansas, a solo law practice.
He has served as President of the National Organization of Social Security Claimant's Representatives [i.e. NOSSCR]. He founded and was a Past President of the Arkansas Injured Worker's Association Inc. which later became the Administrative Law Division of the Arkansas Trial Lawyer's Association. And for over 30 years, he has served as the elected Representative for North Arkansas on the Board of Governors of the Arkansas Trial Lawyer's Association. He has also been elected to represent the north central Arkansas area on the Arkansas Bar Association's House of Delegates.
Although Mr. Spencer is a general practitioner, the emphasis of the Spencer Law Firm, which includes an excellent well-trained staff of paralegals, secretaries and investigators, is to help the injured, disabled and those wrongfully injured or killed as a result of negligence or defective products or processes. Mr. Spencer has been very successful in his practice since the firm was established in 1975. But you are invited to read the articles written about him published in the Arkansas Trial Lawyer's Association's magazine, The Docket, as well as read just a few of the articles he has published and make up your own mind independently of what others say. Most importantly, you are invited to read just a few of the Arkansas Supreme Court, Arkansas Court of Appeals, United States District Court and United States 8th Circuit Court of Appeals decisions, where because of his stubborn refusal to allow what he perceived as an injustice, he has successfully represented his clients on appeal.
Message from Rick
I am a solo practitioner and have been since 1975, being the founder and owner of Frederick S. Spencer, P.A. d/ba Spencer Law Firm. Although my law firm specializes in injured, disabled and victims injured or killed by negligence, I also have a large estate practice and still have a general practice since we live in the small, but beautiful, town of Mountain Home, Arkansas, snuggled between two large lakes and three pristine rivers.
As to my past, I was elected President of the National Organization of Social Security Claimant's Representatives, elected Governor for North Central Arkansas for over 30 years on the Arkansas Trial Lawyer's Association Board of Governors, founder and President of the Arkansas Injured Worker's Association, recipient of the highest award of ATLA, The Roxanne Wilson Advocacy Award and received from the Arkansas Bar Association, of which I was elected Representative, The Arkansas Bar Association Legacy Award, and twice recipient of the Arkansas Trial Lawyer's President's Award, as well as the Outstanding Service Award by Equal Access to Justice Panel of Legal Aid of Arkansas, as well as the ATLA Champions of Justice Award.
I have had the pleasure of being recognized by my peers as a national speaker and author of many articles with various national and state legal organizations. I've been a speaker at the Arkansas Bar Association annual meeting and seminar on many occasions and I've been a speaker and author for the National Organization of Social Security Claimant's Representatives, speaker and author on many occasions at the annual meetings of the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, as well as with the American Association of Justice annual meeting and seminar. My subject matter has encompassed legal issues with regard to Social Security, Worker's Compensation and jury and personal injury trials as well as wrongful death trial practice.
I have a trained staff of over ten employees who are paralegals, investigators, clerks and secretaries - some who have been with the firm for over twenty years - who help in my numerous social security, worker's compensation, personal injury, wrongful death, spinal injury, rail road and semi-truck collision cases. They also help me in my general practice of law.
My father, and his father before him, were both attorneys in south Arkansas. But I felt that the independence of having my own practice would better suit me and I took my family right out of law school at the University of Arkansas School of Law at Fayetteville, Arkansas, to Mountain Home. My older brother, also an attorney, took over the family law firm.
We are always striving to do our best to answer your legal needs in a professional and a timely manner and would be honored to discuss your legal needs with you without charge.
Current Employment Positions:
Sole Practitioner, since 1975
Year Joined Organization: 1975
Areas Of Practice:
Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income and related claims
Victims of Toxic Torts
Workers Compensation Law- Employees injured on the job
Wrongful Death - Claimants / Plaintiffs Only
Services to the Legal Community
Semi / Tractor Trailer / Multiple Vehicular Accidents
Railroad Accidents - Victims only
Longshoremen / Maritime / Jones Act cases
Administrative Law [ERISA, etc.]
Victims of Civil Rights violations [Age, Sexual, Religious, etc.]
Election Campaign & Political Law
Employment Law- Employees Only
Estate Planning- Wills & Living Trusts & various estate plans to reduce or eliminate expenses or taxes
Insurance Law - Claims Against Insurance Companies for loss by fire, disability claims, medical, etc.
Litigation & Appeals for victims, employees and claimants only
Victims of Medical and Nursing Home Malpractice
Victims of Personal Injury by Wrongdoers [Motor Vehicle, Explosions, Electrical Injuries, etc.]
Probate & Estate Administration of Wills of decedents and various types of trusts and wills for estate planning purposes
Products Liability Law- Victims of Defective Products only
Victims of Professional Malpractice
Litigation Percentage:
90% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Bar Admissions:
Arkansas, 1975 and Missouri
U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1975
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Arkansas, 1975
U.S. District Court Western District of Arkansas, 1975
U.S. Supreme Court, 1981
U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals, 1991
Education:
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Leflar Law Center, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 1975
J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence
Honors: Dean's List
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 1970 B.S.B.A.
Honors: Student Representative and Class Voting Delegate
Major: Business Administration
Published Works:
Video Depositions, Social Security Forum, Vol. 5, No. 3, March, 1983
Video Conferencing in a Large Volume Practice, The Audio Lawyer, May, 1986
Using Video Tapes: How to Be in Two Places at Once, Trial Magazine, October, 1986
Representative Cases (where clients were represented by the Spencer Law Firm)
Perry v. Mar-Bax Shirt Co., 1982 WL 842 (Ark. App. 1982)
Caviness v. Massanari, 250 F. 3d 603, 74 Soc. Sec. Rep. Ser. 6 (8th Cir. 2001)
Taggart v. Heckler, 576 F. Supp. 624, 3 Soc. Sec. Rep. Ser. 863 (W.D. Ark. 1984)
Seawright v. U.S. Fidelity and Guaranty Co., 275 Ark. 96, 627 S.W. 2d 557 (Ark. 1982)
Franklin v. State, 7 Ark. App. 75, 644 S.W. 2d 318 (Ark. App. 1983)
Crosby v. Micro Plastics, Inc., 30 Ark. App. 225, 785 S. W. 2d 56 (Ark. App. 1990)
Rodgers v. Rodgers, 271 Ark. 762, 611 S.W. 2d 175 (Ark. 1981)
Perry v. Mar-Box Shirt Co., 16 Ark. App. 133, 698 S.W. 2d 302 (Ark. App. 1985)
Cleaver v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, 683 F. Supp. 708, 21 Soc. Sec. Rep. Ser. 600 (E.D. Ark. 1988)
Aeroquip, Inc. v. Tilley, 59 Ark. App. 163, 954 S.W. 2d 305 (Ark. App. 1997)
Marion Hosp. Asspn. v. Lamphier, 15 Ark. App. 14, 688 S.W. 2d 322 (Ark. App. 1985)
Wenrick v. Crater, 325 Ark. 361 878 S.W. 2d 60 (Ark. 1993)
Edwards v. Szabo Food Service, Inc., 317 Ark. 369, 877. S.W. 2d 932 (Ark. 1994)
Baker v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, 955 F. 2d 552, 36 Soc. Sec. Rep. Ser. 280 (8th Cir. 1992)
Matthews v. Jefferson, 29 F. Supp. 2d 525 (W.D. Ark. 1998)
Sanders v. Sullivan, 983 F.2d 822 (8th Cir. 1992)
Price v. Sullivan, 790 F.Supp. 854 (E.D.Ark. 1992)
Woods v. Bowen, 854 F.2d 288 (8th Cir. 1988)
Mitchell v. Bowen, 827 F.2d 387 (8th Cir. 1987)
Jeffery v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, 849 F.2d 1129 (8th Cir. 1988)
Berry v. Sullivan, 761 F.Supp. 650 (E.D.Ark. 1991)
Ricketts v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, 902 F.2d 661 (8th Cir. 1990)
Dewitt v. Smith, 152 F.R.D. 162 (W.D.Ark. 1993)
Curry v. FranklinCourt of Appeals of Arkansas Electric, 798 SW2d 130 (Ark App 1990)
References:
Arkansas Trial Lawyer's Association
National Organization of Social Security Representatives
Arkansas Bar Association
Classes/Seminars Taught:
Conference Program: Social Security Disability Law: A Practical Approach, National Organization of Social Security Claimant's Representatives National Annual Conference, 1983
Practicalities of a Large-Volume Disability Practice, National Organization of Social Security Claimant's Representatives National Annual Conference, 1983
The Mechanics and Politics in Filing a Social Security Claim, Taped Interview on Local Television Station, 1983
Handling a Social Security Disability Claim, Arkansas Volunteer Lawyers for Elderly, Arkansas Legal Services, V.O.C.A.L.S., 1983
The Rights of the Injured Worker, Taped Interview on Local Television, 1984
The Purposes and Accomplishments of the Arkansas Injured Worker's Association, Taped Interview on Local Television, 1984
How to Efficiently Handle a Large-Volume Practice of Social Security Claims, Arkansas Injured Worker's Association, 1985
Federal Appeals in a Social Security Practice, Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, 1987
Establishing a Social Security Practice, Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association
Proposed Legislative Changes in Arkansas Worker's Compensation Law, Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association
Video Conferencing and Computers in a Social Security Practice, 1987
Federal Practice and Appeals, Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association Seminar, 1988
Social Security Practice in Federal Court, Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, 1989
Technology from a Trial Lawyer's Perspective in the Large Volume Law Office--Stepping Into the 90's, Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, 1989
"Wisdom of the Ages" National Organization of Social Security Administration
And Many Others
Honors and Awards:
Student Representative and Voting Delegate, Arkansas School of Law, American Bar Association, 1970
Dean's List, 1974
Presidents Award, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 1988, 1989
Rights of Disabled Award, National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives, 1991 - 1992
Winner, Environmental Law Section Legal Essay Contest, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 1974
Certificate of Recognition, Arkansas Bar Association, 1982
Who's Who in American Law, 1986
Who's Who in the South, 1986
Who's Who in the Southwest, 1986
Who's Who in America, 1986
Who's Who in the World, 1986
Who's Who in the Society, 1986
Community Leader of America, 1986
Varsity Swim Team, University of Arkansas Razorbacks, 1967 - 1968
Eagle Scout Award 1960 & God and Country Award, 1961
Unit Representative for Boy Scouts, 1977
Sigma Alpha Epsilon - Elected Chaplain, 1968
Alpha Phi Omega - Elected President, 1969
ATLA Champions of Justice Champion Benefactor Award for Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, 2009
2007 Equal Access to Justice Panel - Legal Aid of Arkansas
Outstanding Service Award Presented Rick Spencer for the donation of over 60 hours of Pro Bono Services to citizens in the State of Arkansas, and for rendering to your community a vital public service to the credit of the legal profession .
And Many Others
Professional Associations and Memberships:
National Organization of Social Security Claimant's Representatives
Past President and Sustaining Member since 1982.
Arkansas Trial Lawyer's Association, 1983 - Present Elected Governor of North Central Arkansas on Board of Governors of ATLA since 1983
Sustaining member of Arkansas Trial Lawyer's Association since 1983
Arkansas Injured Workers Compensation Association, Inc.
Founder and Past President
Christian Legal Society, 1979 - Present
Member
American Bar Association, 1975 - Present
Member
Arkansas Institute of Theology, Fayetteville
Board of Directors and Past Chairman
Johnson Bros. Christian Youth Ranch, Arkansas
Attorney for Board of Directors
Arkansas Bar Association, 1993 - 1995
Elected Delegate for North Central Arkansas
American Bar Association, 1971
Student Representative, Section of Student Lawyers
American Bar Association Annual Meeting, 1971
Student Delegate, Student Section
Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 1983 - Present
Sustaining Member
Baxter County Bar Association, 1975 - Present
Member and Past Secretary
Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, 1988 - 1989
Chairman, Division of Social Security and Worker's Compensation
National Organization of Social Security Claimant's
Representatives, State Chairman and 8th Circuit Elected
Representative on Board of Directors, 1982 - 1992
National Organization of Social Security Claimant's
Representatives, 1992 President
Arkansas Institute of Theology
Chairman, Board of Directors
Johnson Brother's Christian Youth Ranch
Attorney
Christian Broadcasting Group, Christian Radio Station on FM 91.5
Advisory Board & Attorney since it was founded
Youth Pastor & Leader of Junior High & High School AWANA for 30 years at Mountain Home Bible Church
Past Employment Positions:
Self-Employed, Attorney since 1975 of Frederick S. Spencer, P.A. d/b/a Spencer Law Firm
Pro Bono Activities:
Arkansas Volunteer Lawyers for Elderly, Board of Directors, 1988 - 1995
Fraternities/Sororities:
Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Elected Chaplain
Alpha Phi Omega, Elected President
Birth Information:
Born in El Dorado, Arkansas, United States of America
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