Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-3_19-cv-00346/USCOURTS-ared-3_19-cv-00346-16/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 190
Nature of Suit: Other Contract Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1441 Petition for Removal- Fraud

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS 

NORTHERN DIVISION 

IN RE ELIJAH AND MARY 

STINY TRUSTS 

ORDER 

No. 3:19-cv-346-DPM 

Justin Parkey and Curt Hawkins of Waddell, Cole & Jones 

recently appeared as counsel for Chantel Lynn Singh and Carissa Hope 

Oldenburg. They are two of Rena Wood's three daughters, all of whom 

now have an interest in this litigation because of their mother's death. 

Justin has long been on my recusal list, and I have many connections 

with the WCJ firm. Justin was one of my term law clerks at the 

Arkansas Court of Appeals. He worked for me (I think) from August 

2008 to August 2010, coming over with me to this Court in May 2010. 

He returned to chambers and filled an eight-month gap in 2012 when a 

Jonesboro-based law clerk left early. As I recall, Justin joined WCJ 

thereafter. We have remained friends. I have followed his career and 

family with interest. I know Curt and respect him, but do not recall 

ever working directly with him. The WCJ firm descends from Barrett, 

Wheatley, Smith, & Deacon and Barrett & Deacon, where I practiced 

law for more than fifteen years. I'm friends with the lawyers and staff. 

Several years ago, one of my children worked one summer at WCJ as a 

runner. The firm (through my close friend Robert Jones) is handling 

my sister's estate; I'm not the personal representative, but I'm the sole 

Case 3:19-cv-00346-DPM Document 130 Filed 06/24/21 Page 1 of 3
heir. I've consulted the firm (and its predecessor) through the years on 

various personal legal matters. 

In the circumstances, my impartiality on future decisions about 

the merits of this case could reasonably be questioned. 28 U.S.C. 

§ 455(a). I conclude, however, that I could be impartial among all the 

parties, notwithstanding my connections to Singh and Oldenburg's 

lawyers. It also weighs on me that this litigation is almost four years 

old. During that time, I have handled many issues and presided over 

a week-long trial. See the docket in the closed related cases, 3:17-cv226-DPM & 3:17-cv-227-DPM. The current iteration of this trust-related 

litigation has been pending since December 2019. The docket's 128 

entries indicate the volume of issues. A new judge will be hard pressed 

to learn all that has gone before and keep this long-running litigation 

on track for prompt adjudication, which everyone involved needs. 

Therefore, if all parties waive any Parkey /Hawkins/WCJ conflict after 

consulting with counsel and considering the circumstances, I will keep 

the case. If fewer than all parties waive, I will recuse and the matter 

will be reassigned to another judge at random. 

Do not file any waiver on the docket or otherwise communicate 

your decision to me. Instead, write a letter directly to the Clerk of 

Court. In due course, the Clerk will inform me (without any details) 

whether all parties have waived the conflict. This case has many 

participants. Each party will therefore have until 23 July 2021 to inform 

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Case 3:19-cv-00346-DPM Document 130 Filed 06/24/21 Page 2 of 3
the Clerk about his or her decision on waiver. In the meantime, because 

of the nature of this case, I will continue to decide administrative 

matters that do not touch the merits. 

So Ordered. 

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ti' 

D .P. Marshall Jr. 

United States District Judge 

Case 3:19-cv-00346-DPM Document 130 Filed 06/24/21 Page 3 of 3