Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Basinger's Newest Talent Is In Law Practice

By JOHN MILLER

She's attractive, a Navy veteran and Prescott's newest barrister.

Marsha Basinger has been working with the Honey and Honey law firm since August 1996 and passed the Arkansas Bar Exam in February 1997, thereby gaining her license to practice law.

The Jonesboro native went to Baylor University where she earned her degree in International Relations. She did so well in her studies, the U.S. Navy asked her to join, contacting her about joining their intelligence division. She took the Navy's test and did well enough to be asked if she was interested in becoming a pilot.

Because she liked the idea of the military and guns, and loved flying, she accepted their offer and joined the Navy. Her original intentions were to go through flight school and be a Navy pilot. During training, Basinger was flying the T-34C Mentor trainers in Corpus Christi, Texas.

However, the best laid plans, as they say, oft go astray. An arthritic condition in her knees led to arthroscopic surgery and her eventual discharge, she fought, but lost.

While battling the discharge, Basinger worked as an assistant aviation safety officer investigating accidents and working to see how they could have been prevented.

The Navy, though, did pay her way through law school at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Though her plans to become a Navy pilot didn't work out, she is happy with her current status as an attorney. Basinger's days begin early, as she tries to get a jump on the constant telephone calls which constantly barrage the law firm.

Basinger originally studied international relations because of her love of history. She said it is amazing how much can be learned from looking back at history and try not to make the same mistakes again.

"It's fascinating to see how the world gets embroiled in one thing," Basinger said. "This led me to geography, politics and national power. They're all interrelated.

"As an attorney," she continued, "I have to focus domestically. I like criminal law more than I thought I would."

With her interest in politics, Basinger has no desire to run for public office. "I'm content doing what I'm doing," she said.

In addition to criminal law, Basinger and the firm do probate work, tax work and estate planning. "I like the overall scheme of things in a small office," Basinger said.

Finding Prescott from Little Rock was also no problem for Basinger. As graduation neared, she saw an ad for the Honey and Honey law firm, gave Chuck Honey a call, interviewed and was hired.

"I've been lucky," she said. "I have a good job and I'm happy where I am."

Basinger is also a sports fans, especially football. She hopes to attend as many Curley Wolf games as her schedule will allow, but also has plans on making trips to see the Razorbacks on the college level.

Her other favorite college team, needless to say, is the Naval Academy. She laments the way her Navy has found ways to lose to the Army the last three seasons in a row.

Professionally, she likes most teams, preferring Miami and Dallas (the Cowboys were her first choice because of former Naval quarterback Roger Staubach).

Before her knees went out, she played softball and lacrosse -- a brutal sport developed by Native Americans in the Minnesota region. And, while she's never played hockey, she said it looks like it would be fun to do.

When she's not working, which is seldom, Basinger likes to read military-type action books. She also enjoys traveling, especially to the Grand Tetons and Rocky Mountain National Park. "I like the mountains," she said.

Basinger also enjoys movies, driving (she plans to buy a motorcycle) and music, with eclectic tastes musically. In the office she listens to country, while rock is the choice in her car. She also likes to listen to classical music and some opera.