Donnie Rutledge is a shareholder of Lisle Rutledge who represents both individuals and companies in a variety of business-related matters.
With a wide client base that spans from residential real estate buyers to lending institutions, approximately one-half of his practice involves litigation and the other half involves counseling clients, drafting contracts, forming businesses and similar matters. Donnie has formed hundreds of corporations and limited liability companies. He also has experience drafting loan agreements and other loan documents for lending institutions as well as defending individuals who have been alleged to have breached those kinds of contracts. In recent years, a considerable amount of his practice has been focused in the area of materialman's liens and lien priority in the foreclosure context. With his expertise on this topic, he has given many seminars and presentations.
He has handled a number of issues related to construction law, from drafting contracts and warranties for general contractors to residential and commercial construction defect claims. He also spends a considerable amount of time advising clients how to be proactive and stay out of litigation. This kind of work includes drafting and providing advice about non-compete agreements, representing borrowers and lenders in workout situations, properly handling the sale of a business, and other ways to predict and prevent commercial disputes. Recently, after successfully handling a commercial contract dispute, it became apparent that additional statutory authority was needed on an issue. Donnie worked with an Arkansas Circuit Court judge to draft a statute that was ultimately adopted as a law by the State of Arkansas as Act 336 of 2009, Ark. Code Ann. 5-37-215.
Donnie is a member of Rotary International as well as a number of attorney-related associations. He graduated with honors from the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville, Arkansas.