Class XXXI
William C. “Bill” Bridgforth
Bridgforth is senior partner in the law firm of Ramsay, Bridgforth, Robinson and Raley, where he represents the legal needs of farmers and ranchers in Arkansas and throughout the United States. He is a frequent speaker across the country on agricultural and regulatory matters. His focus has been on educating and assisting farmers, ranchers, accountants and lawyers, particularly on issues involving federal farm programs. Bridgforth has worked with agriculture committees of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives in an effort to ensure the nation’s farm programs are beneficial to production agriculture. Bridgforth received the C.E. Ransick Award for extraordinary service from the Arkansas Bar Foundation in 2005, was inducted into the Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame by the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation in 2012 and was the 1993 recipient of the Harvey W. McGeorge Award for Distinguished Service to Agriculture in Arkansas, presented by the Pine Bluff Rotary Club. A native of Forrest City, Bridgforth earned an undergraduate degree at the University of Arkansas in 1962, followed by a law degree in 1964.