Debby Linton Ferguson

Attorney Bio

Education: 
University of Central Arkansas, B.S. magna cum laude, 1994
University of Central Arkansas, M.S., School Psychology, 1997 
University of Arkansas at Little Rock, J.D., 2001 

Biography: 
Debby Linton Ferguson was born in Russellville, Arkansas. Ms. Ferguson was salutatorian of the Dover High School class of 1990, was a National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalist, and was a University Scholar. Debby Linton Ferguson continued her education at the University of Central Arkansas and earned a Master of Science in School Psychology in 1997. At the University of Central Arkansas, Ms. Ferguson was a member of Alpha Chi, member and corresponding secretary of Gamma Beta Phi, Little Sister to the Sigma Nu Fraternity, and member and Vice-chairman of the Baptist Student Union. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 1994 with a major in Psychology and a minor in English. Her internship was served with the Little Rock School District. From 1997 to 1998, Ms. Ferguson was a licensed and certified School Psychology Specialist and evaluated students for learning disabilities in school districts in the north-central region of the state. 

In the fall of 1998, Ms. Ferguson began pursuing a law degree at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. She served as a research assistant to Professor Andrew McClurg from the summer of 1999 through the spring of 2000. During the summer of 2000, she interned with Supreme Court Justice Annabelle Clinton Imber. Ms. Ferguson then worked for Thomas M. Carpenter, the City Attorney for the City of Little Rock as a law clerk from the fall of 2000 to the Spring of 2001. She was a member of the Moot Court Team representing the UALR Bowen School of Law at the National Moot Court Competition. In addition, Ms. Ferguson completed mediation clinic, including the required coursework and the required hours of actual mediation experience. Ms. Ferguson earned her Juris Doctor degree in 2001 and became a member of the Arkansas Bar in 2001. 

From July 2001 to September 2003, Debby Linton Ferguson worked as Assistant City Attorney for the City of Little Rock. She prosecuted traffic violations, city code violations, and truancy violations in juvenile and district courts daily. Ms. Ferguson partnered with another assistant city attorney in planning and instituting the truancy and curfew program for the City of Little Rock in cooperation with the Little Rock School District. While her focus at the City of Little Rock was prosecution, Ms. Ferguson assisted Mr. Carpenter in several noteworthy civil cases including: Andrus v. City of Little Rock, involving the successful defense of the City to allegations of excessive force by police officers; Hart v. City of Little Rock, 432 F.3d 801 (8th Cir. 2005), involving the successful defense of the City’s disclosure of private information as the disclosure did not constitute a state created danger; Pfiefer v. City of Little Rock, 346 Ark. 449 (2001), involving the successful defense of the taking of private property for public use for the site of the Clinton Presidential Library; and Barclay v. Waters, 357 Ark. 386 (2004), involving the successful defense to a constitutional challenge to a use tax that saved the City of Little Rock millions of dollars in revenue. Ms. Ferguson served as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the Sixth Judicial District under Prosecutor Larry Jegley from September 2003 to August 2004. During this time, she gained further trial experience as she prosecuted misdemeanor crimes. She also completed training with National District Attorneys Association at the National Advocacy Center at the University of South Carolina in the spring of 2004.

From August of 2004 through May of 2018, Debby Linton Ferguson worked with the firm of Jack, Lyon & Jones, P.A., which became Jack Nelson Jones, P.A. There, Ms. Ferguson’s practice focused on labor and employment law, mediation, administrative hearings, drafting wills, powers of attorney, contracts and general litigation. During the time that the firm contracted to serve as prosecutors for the City of Bryant, Ms. Ferguson trained and coordinated the efforts of other attorneys and case coordinators within the firm. She was also among a panel of attorneys who wrote and presented the 2006 CLE for Acxiom Corp. entitled, “HIPAA: Legal and Ethical Issues Concerning Information Technology Companies.” She worked with Mr. Jones in representing the North Little Rock School District in its desegregation litigation. Clients she represented included Alltel Communications, Inc., Crain Chevrolet, Civitan Services, Inc., Crews and Associates, Inc., Baptist Health, First Security Bank, American Standard, Inc., City of Bryant, City of Cabot, and North Little Rock School District.

In May of 2018, Ms. Ferguson joined Gill Ragon Owen where she continues to practice in the areas of mediation, labor and employment law, administrative hearings, drafting wills, powers of attorney, contracts and general litigation.   Ms. Ferguson is admitted to the State of Arkansas County Courts, the U.S. District Court, and Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas. Her psychology background, trial experience, mediation skills, and writing skills are assets to her clients.

Debby Linton Ferguson is the wife of Justin Ferguson of Monticello, AR. She is the daughter of William Jr., “Bill,” and Dale Linton of Dover, Arkansas. Bill Linton has served farmers in the Central Arkansas area as a loan officer for Farm Credit Services for over 35 years and currently serves on its Board of Directors.  Dale Linton continues to work as a first grade teacher. Ms. Ferguson has two brothers, William Linton, III, and Russell Linton, and she is the proud aunt of 8 nieces and nephews. 

Practice Areas: 
Mediation
Labor and Employment Law
Administrative Hearings
General Litigation 

Legal Associations/Professional Memberships:  
Arkansas Bar Association (Young Lawyers Section)
American Bar Association (Sections on Labor and Employment Law and Litigation)
Pulaski County Bar Association 

Publications:  
Thomas M. Carpenter and Debby A. Linton; IMLA 2004 Mid-Year Seminar Paper: I’ve Got Your Number: Constitutional Privacy Rights and Personnel Records of Uniformed Officers 

Accomplishments/Awards:  
Special Associate Justice to the Arkansas Supreme Court
Graduate of Leadership Greater Little Rock Class XXI
Junior League of Little Rock Provisional Member of the Year for 2007-2008
Certified School Psychology Specialist 1997 (inactive)

Community Involvement/Hobbies:  
Ms. Ferguson is passionate about serving her community. She serves on the Envoys Board for the UAMS Rockefeller Cancer Institute, is an active member and sings in the choir of Immanuel Baptist Church, and is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Little Rock. Ms. Ferguson is a former member of the Civil Service Commission for the City of Little Rock and often volunteers her time to further various causes within the community. In addition, Ms. Ferguson enjoys playing softball, running, water sports, and golf.