2018 PCBA President Lee Short looks back over successful year
May 7-13, 2018
By Becca Bona
Some people know that they’re going to be a doctor when they grow up. For Pulaski County Bar Association President Lee Short, he’s always had an inkling he’d find his way to criminal law.
“I think from the beginning I knew criminal defense is what I wanted to do,” says Short. “There’s not many avenues for attorneys to be in court often – it’s basically either family or criminal law, and I knew I wasn’t going to be a prosecutor. […] I’ve always felt more comfortable going against the man.”
Short was born in Little Rock, Ark., at Baptist Hospital, although at the young age of two he would move to Hot Springs with his family.
“I stayed there until I was about 12, and then we moved back to Little Rock and I went to Parkview. I struggle with whether I’m from Hot Springs or Little Rock,” he says, laughing.
At Parkview, Short found himself in a debate class, which further sealed his journey into law. He points to his coach, Ms. Treadway, as having a huge influence on not only him, but also many who now call themselves attorneys.
“There are so many in all walks – from civil to family law from prosecutors to defense – and they all went through her debate program,” he says.
Short attended Pepperdine University School of Law in California. He enjoyed his time there, however, he had trouble securing a clerkship in Little Rock, as he knew he wanted to come back to the Natural State.
His first summer in law school, Short worked as a counselor for Little Rock’s Youth Home, an organization that aims to help emotionally troubled adolescents.
“It was an awesome experience and very eye-opening,” he says. “There were still intersections with the field of law, and it was a pretty cool way to spend the summer.”
Before his second summer, however, he was determined to get a clerkship.
“I was interviewing and sending out requests and resumes and finally Bill James gave me an interview, and ultimately, a summer clerkship. It was only because I called every day for 45 days straight.”
Short was first introduced to the Pulaski County Bar Association when he was a clerk, because the James Law Firm upholds the organization.
“Bill and Patty have always been heavily involved in the bar – they’re both past presidents. […] They made sure that we were all very involved,” says Short.
After clerking for the firm, James offered Short a job directly out of law school, which he accepted.
And, once he graduated he joined the bar himself. Not long after he began to get involved with the help of fellow member and past president, Melanie Martin. She put him on the board of directors, and he eventually became president this past year.
Short sees community building as one of the benefits of being involved with the PCBA. The organization provides a laid back environment for attorneys to meet their fellow peers.
“It’s always easy to hate or be angry towards someone you don’t know and demonize them, but when you know them it’s harder to do that, and easier to work together. I think the bar is so important for that reason.”
Also, Short notes that the bar continues to donate to charitable organizations via their charitable arm, the Pulaski County Bar Foundation throughout the year.
Looking back, Short is glad to see the bar’s newer social events taking hold.
“We have continued to have really good socials – they’re pretty well-attended at this point,” he says.
Short now has his sights set on the PCBA Annual Dinner.
“Our Annual Dinner has moved to the beautiful new Robinson Center, and I’m excited about that.”
These days Short runs his own firm and stays pretty busy. When he’s not working, he likes to watch the Razorbacks and play board games with friends.
PHOTO CAPTION:
PCBA President Lee Short see the bar as a hugely important community building tool for lawyers practicing in various fields in Pulaski County. (Photo provided)
