Forty Under 40: Bourgon Reynolds

Bourgon Reynolds strives to distinguish herself both as a legal writer and a litigator for federal class-action lawsuits.

A Fayetteville native, Reynolds studied English at the University of Arkansas then graduated with high honors from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s William H. Bowen School of Law. She joined the Rose Law Firm in 2012.

In 2015, she moved to the Arkansas Attorney General’s office, seeking to further her experience with civil litigation and advance her legal writing skills. At the AG’s office, she had an opportunity to argue an employment case before the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals and to defend the state in both the Arkansas Supreme Court and federal court.

She returned to the Rose firm in 2018 and now practices from the Fayetteville office. Her focus has been on complex litigation, including representing a corporation against federal and state antitrust claims.

“I was drawn to this firm for their value of history and their support of women,” Reynolds said. “I’ve had two strong female mentors here. I find my work challenging, and it gives me endless opportunities to learn from other attorneys.”

Of particular importance to Reynolds is improving her writing. She served as associate editor of the Law Review and has authored several articles, including one exploring the implications of state case law on the constitutional rights of criminal defendants. Another was about how advancements in technology benefit a newer generation of lawyers who value work-life balance.

Reynolds supports the ALS Association Arkansas Chapter, as her mother was diagnosed with the disease in 2018. She is a member of Women with a Mission for the Mercy Health Foundation and served as scholarship chair for the Arkansas Association of Women Lawyers.