“I take pride knowing that my clients stay well informed and that I will do everything possible to meet and exceed their expectations.” — Ray Schlegel
Our Staff
Meet the Team
Ray Schlegel
Attorney / Founder
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.
Education
University of Arkansas School of Law
2001 (cum laude)
University of Central Arkansas
1997
PERSONAL:
Ray is a proud “dance and baseball dad” spending countless hours and funds 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.
Hanna Murphy
Associate Attorney
After graduating law school in 2018, Hanna began working in the Legal Department at Walmart Inc., handling Tort cases for the company all across the nation. After a year of working in corporate law, she decided to leave for the courtroom.
She spent the next five years handling thousands of complex criminal cases as a Deputy Public Defender. She represents her clients zealously at all stages of their criminal case. Hanna has been lead counsel in countless jury trials, many of which resulted in acquittals for her clients. She has tried cases to juries including all classes of misdemeanors and felonies.
Hanna has a passion in the courtroom that is unmatched, and she is known for her dedication to her clients. She has a thorough understanding of criminal law and procedure which helps her swiftly resolve cases.
She is a member of the Arkansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. She is a frequent speaker at the school of law where she has also assisted in judging trial competitions.
PERSONAL:
Hanna stays active in her community by giving back to local organizations including the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank and the local Women’s Shelters. Her parents are also members of the NWA Community and she has an older sister, a nephew and two nieces. She enjoys any activity that takes place outdoors, especially watching baseball. In her spare time she loves to spend time with her family, her friends, and her 11 year old German Shepherd.
Recognition
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
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 – Top 100
Professional Associations and Memberships
- 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