1997-98 Roxanne Wilson Award Winner

Frederick S. "Rick" Spencer

Attorney at Law

[Picture taken at the Annual Arkansas Trial Lawyer Association meeting in Eureka Springs, Arkansas where Rick received the award.  From left to right: Rick's mother, Mary Spencer, Rick Spencer, Brenda Spencer, Rick's wife, Margaret Spencer, Rick's sister and Jim Spencer, Rick's brother.  The following article was written by Rick's brother, Jim Spencer; Attorney at Law and published in the Arkansas Trial Lawyer Association Docket magazine at the request of the staff of the Arkansas Trial Lawyer Association.]

            "Rick, you'll never get your money back." My dad had just admonished his ten (10) year old son who had loaned his entire savings from his 50 cents per week allowance and earnings from yard work to a down-and- out vagrant who had a daily resting spot on the steps of the Union County Courthouse.

           "But Dad, he promised to pay me back and I believe him."

         Rick and I grew up in El Dorado, Arkansas, brothers whose father and grandfather practiced law together in the family partnership of Spencer & Spencer; Attorneys at Law. As we grew up together, we would spend summers following our dad and granddad to the courthouse, pretending to be lawyers, operating the old courthouse elevator, and walking through Sterling's five-and-dime. Rick never met a stranger.  And after hearing the vagrant's sad tale of woe, he was moved to help him with what money he had.

        Perhaps because the vagrant nobody else trusted somehow paid him back every penny, Rick's childish generosity, trusting nature, and love for the unlovable was validated and continued into his later personal and professional life.

        Rick graduated from The University of Arkansas Law School at Fayetteville in 1975. Dad and I both wanted him to come home to El Dorado and practice with us.  But his fierce independence dictated another path. He settled down in Mountain Home, Arkansas where his solo general practice soon found him advocating for the poor and oppressed, specializing in workers' compensation, social security, and personal injury law.

        Recognized nationally for his work in social security law, he was named President of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives [NOSSCR] and was the founder and president of the Arkansas Injured Workers' Association.

        I know Rick greatly appreciated this honor created in memory of Roxanne Wilson who died of cancer because almost four years ago, Rick lost his own wife, Coralee, to cancer and he knew how these courageous women had fought "the good fight" and were taken at the height of their productiveness when both were so loved and respected by their family, friends, and professional peers.

        Rick has always led with his heart, not with his head. Many times in my practice, when I evaluate whether to take a case, I lead with my head - "How will I ever be paid?"  But Rick leads with his heart -  “This person needs my help." I believe the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association fulfilled the high standards of the Roxanne Wilson Advocacy Award, the highest award given by this organization, when they selected my brother as its recipient.

        "Keep leading with your heart, Rick.   You'll get back every penny."

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