Hilburn & Harper mourns loss of founding partner Sam Hilburn
January 26 - February 1, 2026
Hilburn & Harper, Ltd. (the “Hilburn Law Firm”) announces with profound sadness the passing of its managing partner and founder, Sam Hilburn, whose life and career left an enduring mark on the Arkansas legal profession and the North Little Rock community.
For decades, Hilburn served clients with integrity, wisdom, and an unwavering commitment to the law and to his clients. His leadership helped shape the Hilburn Law Firm into one of Arkansas’s most respected law firms, built on the values of professionalism, service, and compassion that he exemplified daily.
“Sam was a titan in the legal and political realm for many years. He treated everyone he knew like family, and he took every case personally,” said Megan Wells, a partner at the Hilburn Law Firm. “It has been an honor to learn from Sam over the years, and he will be greatly missed by the legal community and the members of this firm.”
Hilburn held himself to high standards, excelling academically and athletically, which earned him a football scholarship to the University of Arkansas and sparked a lifelong love for the Razorbacks. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas School of Law at Little Rock in 1970. While in law school, Hilburn was a charter member and president of the Phi Alpha Delta Fraternity, Joe T. Robinson Chapter, further demonstrating his early leadership within the legal profession.
In 1971, he helped establish what is now Hilburn & Harper, Ltd., where he served as senior partner for more than five decades, leading the firm until his passing. That same year, he began his service as City Attorney for North Little Rock, a role he held from 1971 to 1974. His public service continued when he was appointed Municipal Judge of the North Little Rock Municipal Court, serving from August through October 1998.
Throughout his legal career, Hilburn was widely recognized for his excellence and leadership. In 2005, he was named Attorney of the Year by the Pulaski County Bar Association, and he was consistently recognized as a Mid-South Super Lawyer from 2011 through 2020. He was an active member of the Pulaski County Bar Association, Arkansas Bar Association, and American Bar Association.
In October 2006, Governor Mike Huckabee appointed Sam to the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas, where he contributed his experience and vision in support of higher education across the state.
Hilburn’s impact extended far beyond the courtroom. In 1988, he represented the City of North Little Rock in the development and construction of the Murray Hydroelectric Power Plant on the Arkansas River. His extensive civic involvement included serving as chairman of the board for Pulaski County Day Services for the Handicapped, North Hills School for Exceptional Children, and the North Little Rock Speech and Hearing Clinic. He also served as a board member of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre and CARTI, reflecting his commitment to both the arts and healthcare in Arkansas.
A celebration of Hilburn’s life will be held Saturday, January 17, at 11:00 a.m. at Lakewood United Methodist Church in North Little Rock, with a reception to follow.
Memorials may be made to Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Lakewood United Methodist Church, the Hilburn Scholarship Foundation for Walnut Ridge High School seniors, or the Razorback Foundation for the Diane Palmer Hilburn Razorback Cheerleader Scholarship Fund.
The Hilburn Law Firm honors Hilburn’s extraordinary legacy and remains committed to carrying forward the values of integrity, service, and excellence that he instilled in the firm and the community he loved.
For more information about the Hilburn Law Firm, visit www.hilburnlawfirm.com.
Photo Caption:
1. Sam Hilburn