Founder & Attorney at Law | Former Police Detective turned Criminal Defense Attorney

 

Bobby Forrest Jr. was born and raised in Jacksonville, Arkansas with his mother and three sisters. Growing up without a father, he watched his mother work hard to provide. He says his passion for law first comes from his mother because all she did was watch C.O.P.S and forensic science shows. Bobby recalls growing up wanting to be a police officer. He would always ask for handcuffs and walkie talkie for his birthday as kids so he could play detective. Even with the passion of wanting to be a police officer, he found himself getting in trouble and facing the juvenile justice system at 14 years old. It was there where he was provided a second chance to finish high school. He graduated Jacksonville High School and immediately entered in the Arkansas Army National Guard as a military police officer at the young age of 17. At 21, Bobby decided he wanted to take the exam to become a civilian police officer and later graduated from the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy. At the academy, he served as a Squad Leader. Bobby had the opportunity to patrol the neighborhoods where he grew up before being selected as a Narcotics Detective just one year after graduation from the police academy. During his time as a police officer, Bobby received (3) Letter of Commendations from his police chief for saving lives of citizen of the Jacksonville area. Unfortunately, Bobby made a decision that ultimately changed the course of his life. While attempting to protect a young man from a felony, he disregarded department procedure. Although he attempted to right his wrong, the department made the decision to terminate him. Bobby says this was one of the lowest places he ever was in his life. With having dreams of only ever being a police officer, he did not know where to turn. Until one day, he felt God telling him I still want you in law but in a different position. That is when Bobby decided to go to law school. He would tell you this was the start to a life dedicated to criminal justice.

 

In 2016, Bobby attended law school at Texas Southern University, Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston, Texas. Bobby will tell you that his journey throughout law school changed his life forever. He completed his Juris Doctorate degree graduating magna cum laude in May 2019. After passing the bar exam, he was admitted to practice law in Arkansas September 2019. Bobby later took the Tennessee Bar Exam also passing. Immediately upon graduation, Bobby accepted a position with Rainwater, Holt and Sexton, the #1 plaintiff firm in the State of Arkansas as a personal injury black attorney. In less than one year of practice, Bobby successfully settled over 160 cases and recovered over $1.5 Million dollars for clients he served. Still having the fire inside to be in criminal justice, Bobby decided to become a public defender for low income offenders. Now Bobby has his own law firm employing 8 people. Bobby’s main area of practice is Criminal Defense. He serves all counties in the State of Arkansas. Bobby has handled several drug, DWI, Domestic Battery, and violent cases with much success. Bobby first goal in any cases is for dismissal! If the State does not want to dismiss the case, Bobby stands ready to prepare for both bench and jury trials. His ultimate career goal is to be in  politics because he truly wants to be a voice for his community.

 

In 2023, Bobby decided to open his own restaurant called Xperience Kitchen + Lounge. In its first year, it received the Best Restaurant Award in the Urbane Magazine. In his free time, Bobby likes to grill out, watch sports, and play poker with a group of his friends. He also has recently picked up golf. He is a proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. He is very active in his community, serving in outreach and youth ministry at his church. Bobby loves to tutor law students preparing to take the bar and frequently volunteers to feed the homeless. Bobby is driven by the goal of a one day having a legal system that is just for all.

 

Education:

Texas Southern University, Thurgood Marshall School of Law, J.D 2019 Magna Cum Luade

Student Bar association, Vice President 2018-2019

Thurgood Marshall Law Review, Associate Editor

National Black Law Student Association, 51st National Convention Coordinator 

University of Arkansas at Little Rock, B.A Interdisciplinary studies 2016

University of Arkansas at Little Rock, A.A General Studies 2015

University of Arkansas at Little Rock, A.S Law Enforcement 2015

 

Memberships and Affiliations:

Arkansas Bar, 2019

Tennessee Bar, 2020

Western and Eastern District of Arkansas 

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Arkansas Bar Association, Board of Trustees

Arkansas Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division

Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association

National Bar Association

Pulaski County Bar Association

Harold Flowers Law Society

New Leaders Council Alumni

New Life Church

NAACP – General Counsel