James D. Rankin III

James D. Rankin III earned his bachelor's degree in agricultural business from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1990. In 1993, he earned his J.D. degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law at Fayetteville.

Prior to joining PPGMR Law, Mr. Rankin gained valuable experience as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the Sixth Judicial District of Arkansas.  He has substantial experience in the areas of corporate and business litigation, environmental law, agricultural law, business transactions, oil, gas and brine production law and municipal law.

Mr. Rankin is admitted to the bar in Arkansas and before the US District Courts, Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. His membership in professional organizations includes the American Bar Association, Arkansas Bar Association and the Pulaski County Bar Association. Mr. Rankin focuses his practice on regulatory matters before the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission, oil and gas law and mineral rights title work, as well as civil and environmental litigation in the state and federal courts in Arkansas, where he is active at trial and appellate levels.  

Mr. Rankin's community involvement has included board membership in two conservation organizations, a mentor in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Pulaski County organization for over 5 years, volunteer youth coach for the Little Rock Futbol Club, and a volunteer for the American Cancer Society and the Arkansas Arts Center.  Mr. Rankin is a past chairman of the City of Little Rock Parks and Recreation Commission.

Mr. Rankin has served as an Adjunct Professor, Oil and Gas Law at UALR William H. Bowen School of Law, Little Rock.

Honors

Best Lawyers "Lawyer of the Year" - Oil and Gas Law 2023

The Best Lawyers in America, a Thomson Reuters Service, 2011- 2021 (Oil & Gas Law)

Mid-South Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters Service, 2018-2021 (Environmental; Business/Corporate)

Arkansas Money & Politics:  Legal Elite, 2021

Bar Admission

Arkansas 
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Arkansas 
U.S. District Court Western District of Arkansas 
U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit

Affiliations

American Bar Association 
Arkansas Bar Association 
Pulaski County Bar Association 
Fellow of the Arkansas Bar Foundation

Education

University of Arkansas School of Law, Fayetteville, AR, 1993, Juris Doctor
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, 1990
Bachelors Degree
Major: Agricultural Business