Baxter D. Drennon

Baxter D. Drennon is the managing partner of Hall Booth Smith’s Little Rock, Arkansas office. He serves as national trial counsel in high-exposure commercial litigation, products liability, medical malpractice defense, and banking and finance disputes. His work involves complex claims affecting corporate and institutional clients. He combines courtroom representation with counseling designed to help leadership teams evaluate legal risk and make informed business decisions.

Drennon earned a Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the University of Arkansas and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. His legal studies established a foundation for litigation, business counseling, and courtroom advocacy. His professional development has continued through trial work and involvement in organizations dedicated to civil defense practice and products liability issues.

Drennon has tried approximately 25 cases, including about 15 taken to verdict, according to his firm. In 2025, he tried three cases involving eight-figure exposure to verdict across products liability, commercial litigation, and medical malpractice. He also represents manufacturers in aerospace, automotive, electrical components, and other sectors. His background includes municipal water and wastewater matters and his elected service as city attorney for Benton, Arkansas.

Baxter D. Drennon has held leadership positions with the Defense Research Institute, including service on its board of directors and as chair of its Young Lawyers Committee. He is also involved with the Products Liability Advisory Council and has been recognized as a Mid-South Super Lawyers Rising Star. His practice emphasizes preparing significant civil disputes for trial while keeping each client’s commercial objectives in view.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Hall Booth Smith, P.C.
• Member, Arkansas Bar Association
• Member, State Bar of Georgia
• President, Arkansas Association of Defense Counsel (2021-2022)
• Board of Directors: National Director, Defense Research Institute (2019-2022)
• Member, Products Liability Advisory Council (PLAC)

Licensed State

• Arkansas
• Georgia

Education

• University of Arkansas
  Juris Doctor (JD) Magna Cum Laude
• University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
  Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science

Awards & Badges