New RMF litigation counsel brings extensive experience to AAC

By: Sarah Perry
AAC Communications Coordinator

Ali Noland, who was hired as a Risk Management Service litigation counsel in June, has an extensive resume that includes experience working at a county circuit court, the Arkansas Court of Appeals and the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office.

While pursuing a history degree at Hendrix College, Noland decided to become an attorney when a constitutional law class piqued her interest in the topic.

“It was like lights turning on,” she said while explaining how the law class set her down the path to her future career.

Noland earned her juris doctor degree at the University of Arkansas School of Law and a master of laws in Constitutional Law and Civil Rights Law at the American University Washington College of Law.

Noland said she enjoys the research and writing side of being an attorney.

“I really like focusing in and digging in on a subject and doing a lot of intense research on the written product. That’s what I find fulfilling,” she said.

In 2008, Noland was hired to work in the Arkansas Attorney’s General Office. The cases she handled in that role are similar to the cases she is now representing at the Association of Arkansas Counties.

During her time at the Attorney General’s Office, she served as a United States Supreme Court Fellow through the National Association of Attorneys General. In that role, she wrote briefs, edited state attorneys general briefs and conducted moot oral arguments to prepare attorneys to appear before the United States Supreme Court. She called the experience, “really incredible.”

After leaving the Attorney General’s office in 2014, Noland briefly worked as a law clerk for Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Palmer. She then clerked for Arkansas Court of Appeals Judge Larry Vaught for almost 10 years.

Noland said she decided to join the staff at AAC because the association has a reputation in the legal community for being a great place to work, and she was familiar with other AAC staff members.

In 2020, Noland was elected to serve on the Little Rock School District Board of Directors. She said this experience will help her relate to county elected officials who are answering to the public.

“It really helps to have experience and understand what goes into having constituents that you have to respond to,” she said.

Noland and her husband, Ross, reside in Little Rock. The Nolands met while they were both in law school. Ross has his own firm, and he specializes in environmental law.

The couple has two children, Brady, 9, and Willa, 12. Outside of the office Noland said she and her husband spend the majority of their time taking their children to the various activities they are involved in including basketball, softball, competitive swimming, Scouts and performing arts.

Ross is also involved with the Buffalo River Foundation, so the Noland family spends plenty of time rafting, canoeing and camping on the river.

When they are not enjoying the scenic areas of the Natural State, the Nolands like to travel to the West, visiting national parks and going white water rafting.