Forty Under 40: Kirk Dougherty

Kirk Dougherty knew he needed to go to law school. His father is a lawyer and so are his three older brothers. He’s so dedicated to his work that he’s only worked for one company since he graduated from the University of Arkansas law school in 1991.

After Dougherty graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history from the UA, his father encouraged him to go to law school even if he didn’t plan to practice law. His dad felt that it would be a good background no matter what.

Dougherty decided it wasn’t only a good background, but that it was something he wanted to do. He’s been told he had gifts dealing with people and being a very persuasive trial lawyer. So much in fact, that in 1993, just a year and a half after graduating, he became a partner in Hardin Jesson & Terry PLC.

In 1996, the Arkansas Bar Association selected him as the outstanding young trial lawyer in Arkansas. Dougherty said he is motivated by the opportunity to help people and businesses with difficult and complicated problems.

Some of his clients are General Motors, Cooper Tire, Kansas City Southern Railroad, Beverly Enterprises and USA Truck.

He serves on the Arkansas-Oklahoma Regional Education and Promotion Association board of trustees.