Jason B. Hendren
Biography
Jason B. Hendren is a Partner who has been protecting the legal rights of clients for over a quarter of a century.
Jason represents hospitals, physician groups, clinics, doctors, nurses, insurers, and other health care professionals in a wide range of complex medical malpractice litigation. He also defends clients in Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act (EMTALA) claims, HIPAA matters, and other complicated health care related litigation. In addition, he has a specialty practice in representing dentists, hygienists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, orthodontists, and other dental providers in the wide variety of claims they may face. He also counsels companies of all sizes on general liability, products liability disputes, and governmental relations, working closely with each client to align legal strategy with long-term business goals.
Born with two congenital heart defects, Jason has had numerous heart surgeries that saved his life and inspired him to dedicate his career to representing physicians, hospitals, and health care providers who tirelessly serve patients. His personal experience inspires his passion for medical malpractice defense, giving him empathy and first-hand knowledge of the stress and pressure providers face during every patient encounter.
Jason earned a Juris Doctor, with honors, from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, where his case note was published. Previously he earned a Bachelor of Arts, with honors, in English and Communications at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. During college he became a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity.
Jason’s deep involvement in the legal community includes current service with the Arkansas Bar Association as an inaugural member of the Board of Trustees, a member of the Legislation Committee, and Chairman of the Membership Task Force. He is also a member of the Arkansas Supreme Court Historical Society. He recently completed his service on the DRI National Board of Directors as Southwest Regional Representative. He is a past President of the Arkansas Bar Foundation and the Arkansas Association of Defense Counsel as well as a past Chairman of the Arkansas History Commission where he currently serves as a commissioner. He has received two gubernatorial appointments to serve as a Special Associate Justice on the Arkansas Supreme Court.
Experience
Jason has 25 years of experience defending physicians, nurses, hospitals, clinics, insurers, and other health care providers in complex medical malpractice litigation, EMTALA, HIPAA, and governmental relations. Inspired by serious congenital heart conditions that required numerous surgeries and a pacemaker, Jason is a passionate and empathetic advocate for health care providers.
Credentials
Admitted
State Courts:
- Arkansas
Article I Courts:
- U.S. Tax Court
U.S. District Courts:
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas
U.S. Courts of Appeals:
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
Education
- J.D., with honors, University of Arkansas
- B.A., with honors, University of Arkansas Fayetteville
Memberships
- Arkansas Bar Association: Member
- Board of Trustees, 2020-Present
- Legislation Committee, 2020-Present
- Membership Task Force, Chairman; 2021
- Arkansas Supreme Court: Special Associate Justice, 2017 & 2019
- Historical Society: Member, 2019-Present
- Bentonville Schools Foundation: Board of Directors, 2009-Present
- University of Arkansas Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law Dean’s Advisory Council Board: Member, Present
- DRI:
- National Board of Directors, 2018-2021
- State Representative, 2015-2018
- Arkansas History Commission: Member, 2018-Present; Chairman, 2018-2020
- Arkansas Association of Defense Counsel: President (Former)
- Arkansas Bar Foundation: President (Former)
Recognition
- Mid-South Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers®, 2011-2023
- Charles L. Carpenter Memorial Award, Arkansas Bar Association, 2023
- AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated™, Martindale-Hubbell
- Harriet Tubman Trailblazer Award, 2020
- Outstanding Defense Attorney Award, Arkansas Association of Defense Counsel, 2019
Presentations
- Legal Issues in Nursing, Perspectives from a Defense Attorney
University of Arkansas Fayetteville, November 2021
Publications
- Medical Malpractice Cases
The Litigation Psychology Podcast; January 30, 2023 - Spoliation of Evidence: Why This Evidentiary Concept Should Not Be Transformed into Separate Causes of Action
University of Arkansas Law Review, 2005 - Peremptory Challenges after Purkett v. Elem, 115 S. Ct. 1769 (1995): How to Judge a Book by Its Cover Without Violating Equal Protection
University of Arkansas Law Review, 1997