Forty Under 40: April Rye

In representing the best interests of children affected by either neglect or abuse, Washington County attorney ad litem April Rye realizes that anything less than thorough attention to each case is simply not an option.

Rye, 31, was named the 1999 Attorney Ad Litem of the Year by Arkansas Court Appointed Special Advocates.

“People really need help and I like the feeling I get helping them,” Rye said. “In this job, to be successful, you have to genuinely care about children and people. It’s not a job you just wake up for to go get a paycheck.”

Rye is a 1990 graduate of the University of Arkansas and a 1993 graduate of the UA law school. A native of Little Rock, she spent two years as the deputy prosecuting attorney for Carroll County before returning to Fayetteville to set up her private practice. In 1996, Rye became the county’s attorney ad litem.

A former church pianist, Rye is on numerous boards and committees in the community, including the Northwest Arkansas Symphony board, Washington County Juvenile Justice Advisory board, Washington County Teen Court board, the Junior League of Northwest Arkansas, Arkansas Bar Association and the Washington County Domestic Violence Task Force.