Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

McKenzie Honored By Bar Association

James H. 'Jim' McKenzie of Prescott has been awarded the 1997-98 Outstanding Lawyer Award by the Arkansas Bar Association. The award is given in recognition of excellence in the practice of law and outstanding contributions to the profession.

For the past 30 years McKenzie has proven himself to be a credit to the bar, his community and his state, news release from the bar association said.

"McKenzie is widely recognized throughout the state as one of it top-notch trial lawyers," the release continued. "In addition, Mr. McKenzie has demonstrated during his years of practicing law that he is an honorable and professional attorney."

"In all his years of trial practice, Jim has never cut a corner, his work has always been gold and his integrity has always been beyond reproach. Jim is one of the last of what...may be a vanishing breed of trial lawyers whose excellence in court is exceeded only by their personal honor and dignity." These comments and other like them were made in his nomination for the award and they capture his many qualities and virtues, the release stated.

"McKenzie was schooled by his father, Horace McKenzie, one of the great gentlemen of law," the release said. "And he has carried on the tradition of civility, honor and integrity instilled in him."

He has served his profession in a number of leadership roles including president of the Arkansas Bar Association, chair of the Executive Council and as an active member of numerous committees.

As a fellow of the Arkansas Bar Foundation, McKenzie has also served on the board of directors and as a member of the trust committee.

He was presented with the C.E. Ransick Award of Excellence in 1995 from the Arkansas Bar Association and Arkansas Bar Foundation.

McKenzie has also served the city of Prescott as city attorney and the district as deputy prosecuting attorney, as a board of trustees member of Southern Arkansas University and as a president of the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce.