Chief of staff under Beebe gets LR law firm post
Morril Harriman, chief of staff under former Gov. Mike Beebe, has joined the Little Rock law firm of Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard.
Harriman, 64, will be a counsel for the firm based in its Little Rock office in its regulated business practice, according to a news release from the law firm. The firm has five offices in Arkansas, Texas and Pennsylvania.
The announcement came less than a month after Beebe joined the Roberts Group of Little Rock, which is made up of the Roberts Law Firm PA; Roberts GR Strategies LLC; Made in USA Works LLC; and Roberts International LLC.
Beebe is senior vice president of business development for Made in USA Works of Bentonville and “of counsel” to the law firm.
Harriman had served as chief of staff since Beebe, a Democrat, took office in 2007. Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a Republican, succeeded Beebe in January.
As chief of staff, Harriman directed oversight of state agencies, served as an adviser in the development of administration policies, and developed strategies for the approval and implementation of administration initiatives.
“His extensive knowledge and expertise in governmental affairs will bring significant value to our clients seeking strategic counsel on state and federal regulations, public policy, and internal governmental procedure.” Rick Beard — Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard managing director — said in the release.
Harriman has 25 years of private practice law experience and 16 years of service in the state Senate. He also served as president of The Poultry Federation for six years and led the transition team for Beebe’s administration after the governor was first elected.
“It is a privilege to join a firm that has been so highly regarded for serving Arkansas for more than 60 years,” Harriman said. “I am looking forward to working with some of the most experienced attorneys in the state during this next chapter.”
A member of the Arkansas Bar Association, Harriman holds a juris doctorate and bachelor of arts degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He is a member of the board of directors of Citizens Bank and Trust Company of Van Buren and also a member of the University of Arkansas System board of trustees.