Mitch Rouse

Mitch Rouse is a problem-solver, advisor, and collaborator with a passion for service. A native Arkansan, Mitch was born in the Arkansas Delta and raised in northeast Arkansas. He is a first-generation college graduate from Arkansas State University. Mitch then attended the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Bowen School of Law. His success in law school led to the honor of being selected as Editor-in-Chief of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Law Review and to being a successful oralist and top brief writer for the Moot Court Team at a national tournament.

Mitch has more than a decade of legal and leadership experience. He began his legal career as a law clerk for the Honorable D.P. Marshall Jr. in federal district court. Mitch eventually transitioned to work in state government. Mitch held roles as Chief of Staff, Senior Associate Director, and Associate Director of Air Quality at the Department of Energy and Environment. He was Chief Legal Counsel and the Director of the Office of State Procurement at the Department of Transformation and Shared Services before being appointed by then Governor Hutchinson to serve as the Secretary of the Department of Transformation and Shared Services. During the Sanders Administration, Mitch became the Chief Legal Counsel at the Arkansas Department of Human Services and was elevated to the Chief of Staff at the Department. Mitch has advised and led a staff as small as three direct reports, staff of more than 80 employees, and whole Departments comprising more than 350 employees. He has also provided legal guidance to an agency of more than 6,500 employees. Mitch is known for being thoughtful, providing reasoned counsel, and synthesizing complex issues.

When Mitch is not working at his law practice, you can find him with his wife, Allie, and his three kids, Aria, Rhys, and Rory.