United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas
About This Court
The Western District of Arkansas is one of two federal judicial districts in Arkansas, operating within the Eighth Circuit. The district covers the western portion of the state, encompassing a largely rural area that includes the Ozark and Ouachita mountain regions, as well as border communities along the Oklahoma and Missouri state lines.
The court holds sessions in several cities across the district to serve its geographically dispersed population. Fort Smith, situated on the Oklahoma border, serves as the primary location for the court's administrative operations. The district has a history connected to the federal court that preceded it in Fort Smith, which was presided over by Judge Isaac C. Parker in the late nineteenth century and had jurisdiction over Indian Territory.
The Western District handles the standard range of federal civil and criminal matters for the region, including cases arising under federal statutes, constitutional claims, and matters involving federal agencies. The district's caseload reflects the character of a predominantly rural jurisdiction with significant agricultural, natural resources, and transportation industries.
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, Western District of Arkansas.
Divisions
Fort Smith Division (Fort Smith), Fayetteville Division (Fayetteville), Hot Springs Division (Hot Springs), El Dorado Division (El Dorado), Texarkana Division (Texarkana), Harrison Division (Harrison)
Caseload
The Western District of Arkansas sees a notable volume of criminal cases, including drug trafficking matters tied to regional transportation corridors. Civil cases involving employment, Social Security appeals, and prisoner litigation are also common on the docket.
Bar Admission
Attorneys must be admitted to practice before the Western District of Arkansas by applying to the court's bar, which generally requires membership in good standing with the Arkansas Supreme Court or another state bar along with compliance with the district's local rules. Pro hac vice admission is available for attorneys not licensed in Arkansas.
Clerk's Office
30 South 6th Street, Room 1038, Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 783-6833
Active Judges 6
| Name | Appointed By | Confirmed | Law School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timothy Brooks | Barack Obama | 2014 | University of Arkansas School of Law |
| Robert Dawson | William J. Clinton | 1998 | University of Arkansas School of Law |
| David Fowlkes | Donald J. Trump | 2026 | University of Arkansas School of Law |
| Jimm Hendren | George H.W. Bush | 1992 | University of Arkansas School of Law |
| Susan Hickey | Barack Obama | 2011 | University of Arkansas School of Law |
| Paul Holmes | Barack Obama | 2011 | University of Arkansas School of Law |
Local Rules
37 local rules extracted from this court's published rules. See the court's official website for the authoritative text.
Civil Rules 24
Criminal Rules 1
General Rules 8
Attorney Rules 3
Appellate Rules 1
| Rule | Title |
|---|---|
| LOCAL RULE 83.4 | MANDATE OF AN APPELLATE COURT |