Don Tomlinson to close out Journalism Alumni Speakers Series April 6-7

April 6, 2009 -- Don Tomlinson, a law professor who specializes in transactional law as well as entertainment and copyright law, returns to his alma mater, Monday and Tuesday, April 6-7, as the final speaker of the Journalism Alumni Speakers Series at Arkansas State University.

Tomlinson earned his degree in journalism from ASU in 1970. He was managing editor of The Herald when the campus newspaper went to a twice-weekly publication.

A skilled attorney, who has served as arbitrator in multi-million dollar suits, he credits his degree from ASU to opening the door to a highly successful career. Tomlinson’s career includes work in the mass media as well as songwriting. He has written or co-written more than 300 songs and authored one book and has three more books in the works. He is currently teaching law at the University of Houston Law Center.

Tomlinson started his career with the Associated Press in the Little Rock bureau and worked in television stations in Little Rock, El Dorado, and Jonesboro. He has also owned a media production company which enables him to become involved in the production of several projects for television.

The Little Rock Hall High School graduate enrolled in law school in 1974 and earned his juris doctorate from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. His resumé includes a stint as a speech writer for former Arkansas Senator David Pryor and as deputy attorney general. He has conducted professional mediation training and taught mediation at South Texas College of Law.

Tomlinson has written more than a dozen law review articles and made presentations throughout the United States and Canada. 

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