Denise Hoggard
Arkansas Injury Attorney
Denise Hoggard is head of the litigation department, a position she has held since 2013. She has litigated cases since 1984 when she received her license to practice law after graduating with a juris doctorate from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Bowen School of Law.
Denise comes from a military family background and came to Arkansas in the 1970’s when her father was stationed at the Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville. She graduated from Jacksonville High School at then obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from Arkansas State University. Through high school and college, Denise worked as a reporter and editor for her student newspapers. Upon graduation, she joined the Arkansas Democrat as a newspaper reporter and was assigned to the police and courts beat. While writing about trials, she fell in love with the law and saw how attorneys help people tell their stories and find justice. Being raised in a military family, she was committed to serving and defending others. She worked her way through law school and has worked in a trial practice since.
She has also been very involved in serving in the legal profession as President of the Arkansas Bar Association, President of the Arkansas Association of Women Lawyers, as a mentor to new attorneys, and as an adjunct instructor at the Bowen School of Law. She has a strong understanding of courts and because of these skills, she was referred by senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor as a candidate for appointment to the federal bench.
Denise joined Rainwater, Holt & Sexton because she shares the same passion for providing clients with the best possible representation. She shares the vision to advocate for clients zealously and make sure they receive the best possible results. She works daily with the team of attorneys to make sure they deliver for the clients and serve their interests. One reason she came to Rainwater, Holt & Sexton is the way it provides a large support staff and commits resources to benefit clients. She is tenacious and tireless as a trial attorney fighting for her clients.
Another great joy for Denise is the way Rainwater, Holt & Sexton works to serve others in the community. She works to support those charitable and professional efforts. It’s important to her that she be part of a workplace that gives back to others.
Born: Jacksonville, Arkansas
Education:
Arkansas State University, B.S., 1979
University of Arkansas School of Law, 1982
William H. Bowen School of Law, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, J.D., 1983
Memberships and Service:
Arkansas Bar Association, president and benefactor, 2016
College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, fellow, Class of 2016
Arkansas Bar, 1984
Texas Bar, 1980
U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas, 1984
U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, 1984
Adjunct Instructor at William H. Bowen School of Law
American Association for Justice
Arkansas Association of Women Lawyers: past president, board member
Arkansas Bar Foundation, sustaining fellow
Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association: member, publications committee
Arkansas Women Executives, former board member
Infinity Project, state delegate
Pulaski County Bar Association
The Judge Henry Woods Inn of Court, member
College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, fellow
Arkansas Advisory Committee for the United States Global Leadership Coalition
American Bar Association House of Delegates
Awards and Peer Reviews:
The Arkansas Bar Golden Gavel Award, 2015
Arkansas Best Lawyers®
AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®
Avvo® Superb 10 Rating
Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, 2010
Super Lawyers®, 2015-2019
The Best Lawyers in America®, recognized since 2008
- Employment Law – Individuals
- Employment Law – Management
- Litigation – Labor and Employment
- Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
Authored:
ATLA Docket:
“Effective Use and Defense of Summary Judgment” (2007)
“Revisions to the Fair Labor Standards Act May Negatively Impact Workers” (2006)
“Tools for Protecting Privacy in Arkansas” (2004)
“ERISA Recovery Options” (2002)
“Managing Law Firm Employees: Concern from Hiring Through Firing” (2009)
“Americans with Disabilities Act Amended Act” (2009)
Arkansas Bar Association:
“Employment At Will” (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007)
“Your Practice and the Committee on Professional Conduct” (2007)
“Woodshedding or Obstruction of Justice? Preparing Your Client to Testify” (2009)
“Current Issues in Employment Law”
“Ethical Considerations of Settlement”
Authored continued:
National Business Institute:
“Current Status of Workplace Privacy Rights” (1999)
“Documentation During the Hiring Process” (2000)
“Americans with Disabilities Act” (2002)
“Wrongful Discharge Claims” (2002)
“Work time or Hours Worked”(2004, 2005)
“Special Wage Issues” (2004)
“Ethical Issues Encountered when Dealing with Small Business Clients” (2004)
“Protecting Yourself against Wrongful Discharge” (2004)
“How to Handle Post-Trial Issues” (2006)
“How to Avoid Common Ethical Pitfalls” (2006)
“Hiring and Firing: A Plaintiff’s Attorney’s View” (2006, 2008)
“Protecting Your Company from Illegal Hiring and Firing Suits” (2007)
“Considerations When an Employment Claim is Filed” (2005)
“Employment Law Developments” (2006, 2008)
“A Guide to Employee Handbooks and Manuals” (2001)
“In your Client’s Best Interests — Ethical Considerations” (2005)
“Privacy in the Workplace and Conducting an Internal Investigation” (2006, 2008)
“Recordkeeping and Documentation Issues” (2001)
“Sexual Harassment: Employer and Employee Rights and Responsibilities” (2005)
“The Termination Process” (2005)
Lorman Education Services:
“Employment Law from A to Z” (2008)
“Family and Medical Leave Act” (2006, 2007, 2008)
“Hiring to Separation in Arkansas: A ‘Soup to Nuts’ Guide” (2006)
“Recent Developments Impacting the 2003/2004 Workplace in Arkansas” (2003)
“Overtime Requirements and Exemptions” (1999 -2003, 2005, 2006)
Sterling Education Services:
“Employment Law Updates” (2003, 2005, 2006, 2007)
“Avoid Liability in Hiring & Terminating Foreign Nationals” (2007)
Criminal Justice Institute:
“Fair Labor Standards Act” (2008)
“Dare to Discipline” (2008)
Various:
“Current Issues in Employment Law” (1997)
“Dare to Discipline” (2007)
Presentations:
Co-presenter, Civil Relief to Victims of Crime Act: Add Value to Personal Injury Cases, Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, 2015
