Providing Legal Services for More Than a Century
Bridges Law Firm

Our Attorneys

P.O. Box 7808
521 South Walnut Street
Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71601
Telephone: 870-534-5532
Facsimile: 870-534-5582
Ted N. Drake | James C. Moser, Jr. | David L. Sims | Joseph A. Strode | Cary E. Young

Joseph A. Strode

Practice Focus
Joe handles a wide variety of business and commercial litigation, complex tort cases, and transactional work. He has successfully defended lender liability claims, fraud claims, will contests, breach of contract claims, and claims of breach of fiduciary duty. He has prevailed for plaintiffs in a multitude of contract and fraud claims. He also handles litigation and transactions involving real estate and banking. He is registered to practice before the U.S.P.T.O. and engages in a limited amount of intellectual property practice.
Representative Cases
  • Office Machines, Inc. v. South Arkansas Business Solutions, et. al. - Represented SABS and owners in defense of action alleging fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, theft of trade secrets, etc. President and some key employees of OMI resigned, formed competing business SABS, and established business relationship with customers and suppliers of OMI. Obtained summary judgment for defendants that was affirmed on appeal.
  • Echubby Lake Hunting Club v. U.S.A. - Little Rock District Corps of Engineers denied permit application of ELHC to build road crossings near mouth of Echubby Chute and across ditch connecting Echubby Chute to Echubby Lake, on ground that proposed structures would block public access to public waters. Dallas Regional Corps affirmed permit denial. In administrative appeal to federal district court, Corps was represented by Justice Department attorneys from Washington, D.C. District Court ruled for ELHC, holding that applicable test of navigability was federal test, that lake and chute are privately owned non-navigable waters, and that Corps permit denial decision was legally erroneous. Solicitor General of the U.S. decided not to pursue appeal to 8th Circuit and permits were issued.
  • Stiles v. Land O’Lakes, Inc., et. al. - Plaintiffs alleged milk was contaminated by aflatoxin from corn used in dairy feed. In apparent case of first impression in Arkansas, obtained summary judgment for LOL on basis that its role in distribution of corn was that of a broker which did not take ownership or possession of corn. Other defendants subsequently settled.
  • In Re Jimmy H. Harris - Represented Agro Distribution, LLC in objection to Chapter 7 discharge of farmer. Trial resulted in denial of discharge and six figure judgment for Agro, after debtor had already successfully defended three objections by other creditors.
Significant active cases include six and seven figure bankruptcy discharge objections; case challenging recreational use test of navigability; accretion case involving approximately 2,000 acres; defense of agricultural chemical drift cases; defense of alleged violation of noncompete agreement; lender’s counsel on eight figure loan transaction; borrower counsel on seven figure loan transaction, etc.
Professional Background
Joe holds a B.S.E.E. (with honors) from the University of Arkansas and a J. D. from the Southern Methodist University School of Law. His record of professional and civic accomplishments has resulted in multiple listings by Marquis Publications in Who’s Who in American Law, Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the World.
Joseph A. Strode

Contact Info


Joseph A. Strode
Member
joestrode@bridgesplc.com

315 East 8th Avenue
P.O. Box 7808
Pine Bluff, AR 71611

870-541-6115 Phone
870-534-5582 Fax

Practice Areas
Agricultural Chemical & Feed Litigation
Banking
Commercial Litigation
Creditor Bankruptcy
Real Estate
Business Transactions
Intellectual Property
Education
J.D., Southern Methodist University School of Law
B.S.E.E., University of Arkansas
Bar Admissions
1972, Arkansas
1972, U.S.P.T.O.
Courts
Arkansas State Courts, 1972
U.S. District Court, Eastern & Western Dist. of Arkansas, 1972
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, 1972