Represented Lifewater International in its merger with Water for Good of Indianapolis MORE
Rebecca is the managing partner and a founder of Smith Hurst, PLC and has been recognized by Mid-South Super Lawyers as one of the top fifty lawyers in Arkansas. Originally focusing her legal practice on estate planning and philanthropic endeavors of high net worth individuals and families who have amassed their wealth from family business activities over the past decade, her practice has naturally evolved to not only represent her clients in their estate planning and philanthropic endeavors but also in their business, investing and real estate activities. She frequently serves as general legal counsel in a family office role for many of her clients.
In addition to an extensive family office practice, Rebecca routinely advises businesses and corporations with respect to mergers and acquisitions, venture capital and private placement of securities and general business matters. Rebecca’s experience in client representation includes acting as general “outside” counsel to companies, advising on daily business matters, including employment contracting and trade secret issues, corporate structure and governance, financing, contract drafting and negotiation and transactions. She also routinely advises tax exempt organizations ranging from public charities, agricultural organizations and political action committees.
Since 2007, she has been an adjunct professor at the University of Arkansas School of Law where she teaches advanced classes in Federal Estate and Gift Tax, Nonprofit Organizations and Estate Planning. Prior to attending law school, Rebecca worked as an accountant for Beverly Enterprises (now Golden Living) in Fort Smith, Arkansas, serving seventeen skilled nursing facilities with Medicare, Medicaid and financial audit and reporting matters.
Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation (2006)
Juris Doctor, magna cum laude (2005)
Bachelor of Science, Accounting, magna cum laude and first in degree (2001)
Board of Directors
Council Member
Corporate Leadership Council
Board of Directors
Gift Planning Advisory Council
Member of Business, Taxation and Trusts and Estates Sections
Named one of the top 50 lawyers in Arkansas.
Ranked as a leading lawyer in Corporate and Commercial Law.
Chosen as Lawyer of the year in 2023.
Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers for:
Received the highest peer rating for legal ethics and ability.
Recognized by the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal as part of its C-Suite Honors, an award given to the top business executives in the region.
Recognized as one of the region's top businesswomen for professional accomplishments and community leadership.
Recognized as an accomplished young leader in business and the community.
SEC Lifts Ban on General Solicitation, Adopts “Bad Actor” Rules and Proposes Changes to Regulation D and Form D
2013
Estate Planning for Hospice Patients: A Manual and Guide for Legal Aid Attorneys.
2008
A Change in Planning: Estate of Strangi v. Commissioner’s Effect on the Use of Family Limited Partnerships in Estate Planning
2004
Represented Lifewater International in its merger with Water for Good of Indianapolis MORE
Representation of physician owners in sale of ambulatory surgery center to Washington Regional Medical.
Legal counsel to privately-held group in sale of its cold storage facilities and related logistics businesses.
Represented private investor group its acquisition of a medical marijuana dispensary.
Counsel to Prime NWA Investments, LLC in connection with eight figure securities offering and development of $46 million medical facility and campus.
Representation of Watercolors of Centerton, LLC in its sale of a 232 unit multifamily apartment complex for $45.16 million.
Representation of Brookhaven Commercial Properties, LLC, the owners of a 472 unit multi-family apartment living community, in a $21.6 million HUD sponsored credit facility transaction.