John E. Tull III

John Tull has served as lead counsel in more than 100 jury trials, representing individuals, small businesses, and major corporations across a broad spectrum of complex litigation. Clients rely on his deep courtroom experience and strategic approach to resolve high-stakes legal challenges effectively.

Mr. Tull’s trial experience includes matters involving business torts, breach of contract, product liability, toxic torts, environmental litigation, securities fraud, franchise disputes, trade secrets, personal injury, and First Amendment issues.

Mr. Tull serves as General Counsel to the Arkansas Press Association, where he established the ssociation’s Libel Hotline to support journalists and media organizations across the state. In recognition of his longstanding commitment to press freedom and transparency, he has received both the Distinguished Service Award (2006) and the Freedom of Information Award (2018) from the Association. In 2023, he was appointed by Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin to serve on the Freedom of Information Act Review Working Group.

Mr. Tull has extensive experience handling complex civil litigation across a wide range of practice areas. His representative work includes:

• Business Litigation: Represented companies and individuals in high-stakes business disputes, including securities and fraud allegations, breach of contract, franchise violations, deceptive trade practices, and lender liability claims. His work includes multiple jury trials resulting in defense verdicts and favorable judgments, including a multimillion-dollar verdict in a lender liability case.
• First Amendment & Media Law: Defended national and local media outlets, including newspapers, television networks, and magazines, in libel and slander cases. His First Amendment work includes securing multiple defense verdicts at trial and advising clients on media liability.
• Products Liability & Agricultural Law: Defended manufacturers of industrial, agricultural, and chemical products in cases involving personal injury, crop damage, and product defect claims. He also represents agricultural aviation clients in both litigation and regulatory proceedings.
• Other Litigation: Also represented investors in class actions, individuals in personal injury matters, and companies in transportation-related negligence cases. He has secured significant verdicts and settlements across diverse industries.

Recognition

Chambers USA (2004-present)
Best Lawyers in America® (2003-present)
Super Lawyers (2006-present)
Benchmark Litigation (2009-present)
Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America
Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent®

Associations and Affiliations

American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
American Board of Trial Advocates, Member
International Association of Defense Counsel, Member
DRI, Member
Libel Defense Resource Center, Member
Federal Practice Committee, Eastern District of Arkansas
William R. Overton Inn of Court, Master
Arkansas Association of Defense Counsel, Member
American Bar Association, Member
Arkansas Bar Association, Member
Pulaski County Bar Association, Member

Community

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Vestry and Search Committee

Education

University of Arkansas School of Law (J.D., with high honors, 1984)
University of Arkansas Law Review, Student Writing Editor

Vanderbilt University (B.A., 1980)