Forty Under 40: Dalton Person

Since he was about 5 years old, Dalton Person knew he wanted a career in which he could read, write and make a difference in the community. The Fort Smith native joked that people might not think attorneys make a difference for good, but he believes they do.

In 2016, he graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Law and began a one-year clerkship for federal judge P.K. Holmes III in Fort Smith. While in law school, he’d planned to join his existing law firm after serving as a law clerk there and completing the clerkship for Holmes.

“I chose this job because it was where I wanted to be, and in my opinion, it’s the best firm in the River Valley doing what I wanted to do,” he said. “I joined in 2017 and was made a partner/member at the beginning of 2020. And I truly enjoy my work.”

He’s one of six partners at the firm and is focused on business law and real estate. Some of his clients include Owens Corning, Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority, and the Fianna Hills golf course owner. He’s worked with Stacy Leeds, the UA law school dean when he attended there, to interpret the Indian Child Welfare Act on behalf of the Cherokee Nation. He also represented three ballot question committees in as many years, including for the millage increase for Fort Smith Public Schools.

He went on to be elected to the Fort Smith Public Schools Board of Education. He’s also a board member for the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Fort Smith Area and Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club.

After graduating one quarter early from the University of Chicago and before law school, Person sold vehicles at his family’s used car dealership in Fort Smith. He enjoys reading newspapers and magazines, listening to podcasts at three times speed and horse racing.