United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas
About This Court
The Eastern District of Arkansas is one of two federal judicial districts in Arkansas, sitting within the Eighth Circuit. The district covers the eastern portion of the state, including the Arkansas Delta region along the Mississippi River, and encompasses Little Rock, the state capital, as its primary hub for federal court activity.
The district handles the full range of federal civil and criminal matters, including cases arising from agriculture, commerce, and civil rights. Its geographic reach spans a mix of urban and rural communities across central and eastern Arkansas.
Federal court in this district is conducted at locations including Little Rock, Helena, and Jonesboro, serving parties and counsel from across a broad and historically significant region of the state.
Proceedings are governed by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and Federal Rules of Evidence, along with the court's local rules. Bankruptcy cases are handled by the companion Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Arkansas.
Divisions
Central Division (Little Rock), Delta Division (Helena), Northern Division (Batesville), Pine Bluff Division (Pine Bluff), Western Division (El Dorado)
Caseload
The district sees a notable volume of civil rights litigation, criminal matters involving drug offenses, and cases related to agricultural and land disputes reflective of the Delta region's economic character.
Bar Admission
Attorneys must be admitted to practice before the Eastern District of Arkansas, which generally requires membership in good standing with the Arkansas State Bar or admission pro hac vice for out-of-state counsel in specific matters.
Clerk's Office
Richard Sheppard Arnold United States Courthouse, 500 West Capitol Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72201
(501) 604-5351
Active Judges 5
| Name | Appointed By | Confirmed | Law School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kristine Baker | Barack Obama | 2012 | University of Arkansas School of Law |
| Denzil Marshall | Barack Obama | 2010 | Harvard Law School |
| Brian Miller | George W. Bush | 2008 | Vanderbilt University Law School |
| James Moody | Barack Obama | 2014 | University of Arkansas Bowen School of Law |
| Lee Rudofsky | Donald J. Trump | 2019 | Harvard Law School |
Local Rules
38 local rules extracted from this court's published rules. See the court's official website for the authoritative text.
Civil Rules 20
Criminal Rules 1
General Rules 13
Attorney Rules 3
Appellate Rules 1
| Rule | Title |
|---|---|
| LOCAL RULE 83.4 | MANDATE OF AN APPELLATE COURT |