November 1, 1820

Robert Crittenden, the first secretary and acting governor of Arkansas Territory, and Chester Ashley, a land speculator, entered into a “Partnership in the Practice of Law” to form what later became Rose Law Firm of Little Rock (Pulaski County), the oldest law firm west of the Mississippi River. Their hand-inked agreement remains on display at the firm. Crittenden and Ashley ultimately ended their partnership over political issues, but the firm continued its existence when Ashley partnered with George C. Watkins in 1837.