Meagan Burns
Corporate Counsel
Rogers,AR
Summary
Dynamic and insightful attorney with expertise in corporate law, regulatory compliance, and strategic advisory. Wide knowledge of finance, sales, marketing, and employment law, as well as past experience as a first-chair trial attorney, delivering precise legal guidance to mitigate risk and drive business success. Skilled in contract negotiation, dispute resolution, and internal policy development. Recognized for fostering collaboration, adapting to evolving business needs, and achieving results in an ever-changing environment.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Corporate Counsel
America's Car-Mart, Inc.
07.2023 - Current
- Assists stakeholders and executives in developing processes that comply with applicable laws and regulations and minimize risk while prioritizing business needs
- Supports human resources department in handling employment law matters such as discrimination claims, termination decisions, ADA/FMLA compliance, and other legal issues applicable to 2500 employees
- Oversaw company's first reduction-in-force action and checked both company and employee compliance with contracts, federal labor laws and state regulations
- Legal review of all advertising materials for compliance with applicable laws to minimize risk exposure from false or misleading statements
- Supports internal departments in vendor management, due diligence, contracts, and dispute resolution
- Collaborates with cross-functional teams to draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements for business growth
- Created and maintains library of standard form contracts (as well as internal forms) streamlining negotiations and saving time for both legal and business teams
- Hires, manages, and works with outside counsel to resolve litigation matters and other disputes
- Oversees discovery, designates internal witnesses, directs counsel in all suits, and ensures material risk is disclosed to Board of Directors
- Everyday work subject matter includes but is not limited to: bankruptcy, FCRA, collections, SCRA, insurance, UCC, employment, wage and labor law, ECOA, FMLA, UDAAP, TILA, finance, and privacy
- Drafts and reviews agreements, including MSA, SaaS, high-volume, and M&A contracts
- Responds to government, AG, and regulatory agencies' requests and investigations
- Oversees investigation of complaints and determines risk and remedies
- Helps CLO develop department strategy and initiatives including changes to organizational structure
- Advises marketing team on advertisements and social media, helps draft marketing materials, advises on IP issues, and helps ensure public-facing items are compliant with all lending and disclosure laws
- Mitigates risk exposure by supporting thorough due diligence during mergers and acquisitions processes
- Handles complex legal issues using sound judgment, integrity, business acumen, and decisiveness.
- Enhances company compliance by developing and implementing comprehensive legal policies and procedures
- Advises executive leadership on strategic decisions, minimizing legal risks and ensuring positive outcomes
- Provides guidance during regulatory and internal audits, ensuring full compliance and avoiding potential penalties
- Cultivates a positive work environment that fosters employee engagement, increases retention rates, and boost team morale and productivity
ATTORNEY
Walters, Allison, Parker & Estell
04.2022 - 06.2023
- Interpreted laws, rulings, and regulations for clients and provided updates to firm members
- Advised clients regarding business transactions, claim liability, and legal rights and obligations
- Advised clients regarding business transactions, liability, and risk management
- Represented individual clients as well as business owners and franchisees of national brands
- Represented corporate clients in transactional and litigation matters, as well as industry-specific regulatory matters
- Also advised regarding employment issues
- Drafted and negotiated real estate documents, purchase agreements, leases, and other contracts
- Negotiated and litigated breach of contract cases for individuals and businesses
DEPUTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
Prosecuting Attorney, State of Arkansas
03.2018 - 07.2020
- Worked with attorneys and diverse groups of people to manage and successfully try cases to judges and juries
- Helped interpret case law and legislation to establish best practices and procedures for law enforcement
- Prosecuted misdemeanor, traffic, and felony cases from investigation to trial
- Led investigation of criminal activity with special task forces in various law enforcement agencies
- Taught courses for law enforcement on constitutional and statutory interpretation and application to their daily duties
- Worked with attorneys, law enforcement agencies and officers, staff, victims, and witnesses with clear and timely communication
ATTORNEY/PARTNER
The Burns Law Firm, PLLC
12.2013 - 03.2018
- Drafted and negotiated contracts for clients in a variety of industries
- Advised business personnel on legal risks and strategies for risk mitigation
- Represented clients in family law, criminal defense, civil litigation, and appellate work
- Managed billing, collections, and website, and created digital marketing strategy and content
- Conducted extensive legal research to write detailed briefs and prepare for litigation
- Litigated Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and consumer protection cases
- Hired, trained, and managed staff, and created processes to promote efficiency, filing systems, template libraries, and procedure manuals
- Represented small business owners from corporate formation to compliance, risk management, and advising pre-litigation
- Worked part-time as a Public Defender in Saline County, trying cases to judges and juries
- Accepted numerous indigent appellate appointments from the AR Supreme Court
Education
JURIS DOCTOR (J.D.) -
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock Bowen School of Law
Little Rock, AR05-2014
BACHELOR OF ARTS (B.A.) - History And English Language
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR05-2010
Skills
Strong Decision-Making
Precision in Task Execution
Organizational Documentation Practices
ROI Analysis
Strong Relationship Building Skills
Data Analysis and Problem-Solving
Strong Ethical Standards
Leading Attorneys and Ops Teams
Bankruptcy Law
Complex Litigation
UCC & Secured Transactions
Mergers & Acquisitions
Sarbanes-Oxley Act
ECOA, TILA, FCRA
UDAAP, CFPB, FTC Compliance
Financial Privacy & GLBA
EFTA & Regulation E
EEOC, WARN, FLSA, EPA, FMLA, ADA, OSHA
SCRA Compliance
Collections (TSR, TCPA)
Bar Number
AR2014149
Timeline
Corporate Counsel
America's Car-Mart, Inc.
07.2023 - Current
ATTORNEY
Walters, Allison, Parker & Estell
04.2022 - 06.2023
DEPUTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
Prosecuting Attorney, State of Arkansas
03.2018 - 07.2020
ATTORNEY/PARTNER
The Burns Law Firm, PLLC
12.2013 - 03.2018
JURIS DOCTOR (J.D.) -
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock Bowen School of Law
BACHELOR OF ARTS (B.A.) - History And English Language
Arkansas Tech University