A Jefferson County circuit judge has dismissed County Judge Gerald Robinson’s appeal in a dispute over whether Jefferson County must pay legal fees incurred by several Quorum Court members, bringing an end to a months-long legal battle stemming from litigation filed nearly three years ago.
According to an order filed Tuesday, retired Circuit Judge Wm. Randal “Randy” Wright granted Branch & Thompson’s “Motion to Strike the Notice of Appeal and Motion to Dismiss and Request for Fees and Expenses” following a May 18 hearing in 11th West Circuit Court.
The appeal involved a July 2025 County Court ruling directing payment of invoices submitted by the Paragould-based law firm for legal services provided to nine justices of the peace in prior litigation involving Robinson and Jefferson County.
The dispute originated on July 14, 2023, when Robinson filed a petition seeking a writ of mandamus and declaratory judgment against the Jefferson County Quorum Court and several justices of the peace regarding the legality of Quorum Court meetings conducted without an approved procedural ordinance.
During the litigation, eight justices retained outside legal counsel through Branch & Thompson, while others represented themselves or filed separate responses.
Wright later ruled in Robinson’s favor on Jan. 6, 2025, finding Ordinance 2023-5 invalid and denying the justices’ counterclaim seeking mandamus relief.
On April 11, 2025, Branch & Thompson filed a complaint and request for payment in Jefferson County Court seeking reimbursement of legal fees associated with its representation of the justices in the 2023 lawsuit. The complaint named both Jefferson County and Robinson, individually and in his official capacity as county judge.
Because Robinson was named as a defendant in the county court proceedings, he requested the appointment of a special county judge. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders later appointed Pine Bluff attorney Efrem B. Neely Sr. on May 28, 2025, to preside over the matter.
Following a July 1 hearing, Neely entered an order directing Jefferson County Clerk Shawndra Taggart to collect outstanding invoices from Branch & Thompson and submit them for approval and payment using previously appropriated county legal funds.
Neely found Robinson’s 2023 lawsuit created a conflict of interest that prevented the prosecuting attorney from representing either side and determined the Quorum Court’s retention of outside counsel was justified. He also found the Quorum Court had lawfully appropriated funds for outside legal representation and that the county judge could not arbitrarily withhold payment for legal services that had been properly rendered.
Robinson appealed the decision Aug. 1, arguing the matter should be reviewed by circuit court and requesting denial of Branch & Thompson’s payment claim.
Three days later, Circuit Judge Robert H. Wyatt Jr. issued a stay of Neely’s order, halting payments and directing that any funds already disbursed be returned to the court registry pending further proceedings.
Branch & Thompson later moved to dismiss Robinson’s appeal, arguing Robinson lacked standing because he had recused himself from the county court proceedings and was not an “aggrieved party” entitled to appeal. The firm also argued Robinson failed to properly perfect the appeal under Arkansas District Court Rule 9.
Robinson later argued he remained a proper party because the complaint specifically named him individually and in his official capacity and maintained that Arkansas law identifies the county judge as the proper party in claims involving county finances.
The Arkansas Supreme Court later assigned Wright to hear the matter.
Tuesday’s order did not address the merits of whether Jefferson County ultimately owes the legal fees and did not include detailed findings. Instead, Wright granted the motions to strike Robinson’s notice of appeal and dismiss the case following arguments presented during the May 18th hearing.
