Arkansas Chief Deputy Attorney General Phelps Joins Arkansas State University System Staff
LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas State University System President Dr. Charles L. Welch today announced the appointment of Arkansas Chief Deputy Attorney General Brad Phelps of Little Rock as associate general counsel of the system.
Phelps has served in various roles in the attorney general’s office since 2003 and became Attorney General Dustin McDaniel’s chief deputy in April 2010. He will begin his duties with the ASU System office in Little Rock on Nov. 3.
“We had a strong group of quality candidates, and Brad brings an ideal mix of experience both as a very bright attorney and as a proven leader in the attorney general’s office,” Welch said. “He has a deep knowledge of state operations and public policy, having worked on a variety of legislative and litigation issues. We’re excited about adding his expertise to our strong general counsel’s office, and his enthusiasm for the A-State Red Wolves will be welcome, too.”
The position is being added because of an increased workload for the system and its four institutions, Welch said. Phelps will join General Counsel Lucinda McDaniel and Associate General Counsel Katherine Prescott on the system’s legal team.
In his current role, Phelps supervises 72 lawyers who handle more than 900 cases per year and work in every legal department within the Attorney General’s office. He has worked with the Attorney General, the governor’s office, legislators, agency directors and private interests on all matters related to litigation, including the settlement of the Little Rock desegregation lawsuit, settlement of legislative reimbursement and expense lawsuit filed against members of the Arkansas General Assembly, and successfully defending a lawsuit challenging the Arkansas redistricting plan.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to serve the ASU System,” Phelps said. “As a native of Jonesboro, I’m a longtime supporter of Arkansas State. I look forward to this next chapter in my legal career and working with Dr. Welch and the rest of the system team to assist the campuses in fulfilling their missions.”
Prior to becoming chief deputy, Phelps served for eight years as a member of the Attorney General legislative team. He also served as senior assistant Attorney General and assistant Attorney General. He was the recipient of the National Association of Attorneys General Laurie Loveland Award in 2013 for his exemplary work to negotiate a landmark agreement with major tobacco companies.
Phelps is a 2001 graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Hendrix College in 1998.
The ASU System serves 20,800 students throughout Arkansas and includes Arkansas State University, a four-year research institution in Jonesboro; ASU-Beebe, with additional campuses in Heber Springs and Searcy; ASU-Newport, with additional campuses in Jonesboro and Marked Tree; ASU-Mountain Home; and instructional sites in Paragould and at the Little Rock Air Force Base.
