AG Griffin to name renovated office after the late Bob Brooks, Jr.

Attorney General Tim Griffin announced Wednesday (Feb. 21) the downtown Little Rock building to which his office will move will be renamed the Bob R. Brooks, Jr. Justice Building in honor of the former Chief Deputy Attorney General of Arkansas who passed away unexpectedly in February.

“The plan was to rename the Boyle Building as part of its redevelopment. With the recent and unexpected passing of Chief Deputy Attorney General Bob Brooks, it became clear that the best way to honor his legacy was to name the building after him. Bob was one of the chief proponents of moving to the Boyle Building because of its import to downtown Little Rock, its history and the benefit to Arkansas taxpayers, and he was a key driver in making the move a reality. Given his long record of public service, this is a fitting and lasting memorial to the work he did for Arkansans and the law,” Griffin said.

Growing up in Fort Smith, Brooks graduated from Southside High School before attending the University of Arkansas and graduating from the Sam M. Walton School of Business. He then attended the University of Tulsa College of Law, where he served on the Tulsa Law Review for two years before graduating in 1987.

Brooks served as chief of staff for former Congressman Jay Dickey before returning to Arkansas to become the director of the Arkansas Ethics Commission.

Griffin named Brooks as Chief Deputy Attorney General in January 2023.

The Boyle Building was built in 1909 as the “State Bank Building” and was the state’s tallest building at completion. It was designed by one of Arkansas’ noted architects, George Richard Mann, who also designed the State Capitol.

Real estate tycoon Johnny Boyle purchased the building in 1916 and owned it for more than 80 years. The building, located at the intersection of Capitol Avenue and Main Street, has been vacant for almost 26 years.

The 12-floor, 91,000-square-foot building is being redeveloped by Moses Tucker Partners. Once renovations are complete, the Office of the Attorney General will occupy the building under a 20-year lease, with the state having the option to purchase the building after the fifth year.

“Bob was both a delightful person and a force to be reckoned with,” said Jimmy Moses, Chairman of the Board of Moses Tucker Partners. “He was totally dedicated to the redevelopment of the Boyle Building, and naming the building for him is appropriate and a wonderful way to honor him.”