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David Paul Rawls focuses his practice on the representation of Social Security claimants. His experience includes adjudication through the administrative levels of the appeals process as well as representing cases on appeal. David is also licensed to practice in Texas.
David Rawls was born in Glendale, California, September 4, 1949. He graduated with a Bachelors of Art in Philosophy in 1972 and obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law in 1987. Mr. Rawls is a member of the Arkansas Bar Association and was admitted to the Arkansas Bar in 1987 and the Texas Bar in 1988. He is also admitted to practice in U.S. District Courts, Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas, and the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
He is a poet, philosopher and musician, as well as a fine lawyer. He has probably subjected everyone in the firm, at least once, to a passage from E.E. Cummings, Robert Frost or Poe. While an undergraduate, his true passion was philosophy and symbolic logic. Post-graduation, he took additional courses in mathematics and psychological statistics, teaching a psychology statistics lab at UALR.
David’s musical gift never required study. He taught folk instruments in private lessons for ten years before attending law school, and taught a continuing education course at UALR in banjo, dulcimer and guitar and co-published a book of dulcimer tunes. He can be heard singing in the office on special days.
From early childhood, David always wanted to know “how does it work?” One of the earliest pictures of him at four years old is with his pedal car upside down, trying to figure out what made it “go.” His most valuable talent is getting a handle on how a given system works. The study of the system of law was a delight in which he did well enough to become a Law Journal Board Member (usually reserved to the top 10% of the class) and he now focuses on how the complex laws and regulations function in Social Security Disability.
David focuses his practice on the representation of Social Security claimants. His experience includes adjudication through the administrative levels of the appeals process as well as representing cases on appeal.
I became a lawyer because… of the intellectual challenge of law school and the prospect of making a positive difference in peoples lives.
What I like most about the law is… knowledge of the law is powerful, requiring even greater wisdom in its application.
When you need an attorney… look for one who is both a thinker and a feeler. There are many lawyers out there who are thinkers, and some who are feelers. The thinkers start with the question, “does this make sense; is it logical, etc.?” The “feelers,” or those who rely on intuition, start with the question, “how does this feel?” “Does it feel right, etc.” Both of these ways of looking at the world are important sources of information. The best lawyer will use both logic and intuition.
My most rewarding case was… a very hard working plumber and father of five who compressed a nerve in his back lifting iron pipe. His wife had never worked. We were able to get benefits started for him before he lost his house.
My most disappointing case was… an older gentleman who had a heart attack and subsequent complications. He did not have enough money to get all of the medical treatment that was possible. Because of the shortage of medical information and being assigned to a strict judge, we lost at the hearing level, but we were able to get the decision reversed in Federal District Court, but not before he passed away from his heart condition. My only satisfaction on this one was that we were, eventually, able to get benefits for his family.
What makes The Brad Hendricks Law Firm different from other law firms? I originally worked with Brad’s father’s firm (Lowber Hendricks) until he passed away in 1998. Brad merged his father’s firm into that of his own at that time and he wanted to develop a stronger Social Security practice section in the law firm. I felt that it was an opportunity to work with someone that I knew and respected in an environment that would encourage growth and legal skill.
My friends describe me as… complex, but interesting.
My opponents describe me as… cordial, but dangerous.
If I had to attempt another profession, I would try… teaching philosophy. I think practicing law and teaching are remarkably similar. The big difference is who your “students” are.
A job I would never choose to do is… surgeon. I can’t stand the idea of cutting someone open.
Someone I really admire is… Stephen Hawking.
My favorite quote is… “Two Roads diverged in a yellow wood and I…I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” R. Frost.
My favorite poets are… E.E. Cummings and Emily Dickinson.
My favorite book is… A Brief History of Time, Stephen Hawking.
A sound I love is… an Indian flute.
A sound I hate is… the sound of splitting wood. (I’m remodeling an old home.)
My favorite daydream or fantasy is… being on the bridge of the Starship Enterprise.
When not at work, I enjoy… woodworking, music, reading,
