Meet the DHS Chief Counsel
James E. “Jim” Brader serves as the Chief Counsel for the Arkansas Department of Human Services. In this role, he oversees legal operations in the Office of Chief Counsel, including agency litigation, regulatory and compliance, as well as county legal operations.
Brader is an accomplished attorney executive with more than 20 years’ experience in providing legal representation, program administration, and operations management to state agencies. He previously served within DHS as the Director for the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services and Chief Deputy Counsel within the Office of Chief Counsel. He has also served as General Counsel and Deputy Commissioner for the Arkansas Insurance Department, and Chairman of the Arkansas Board of Review with the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services.
Office Overview
The Office of Chief Counsel consists of five sections which provide extensive legal, investigative and hearing services to the Department.
The Office of Public Guardian unit is responsible for the care of incapacitated individuals who have become wards through an application process as mandated by statute. Applications may be presented to this office by any concerned citizen but most applications are submitted by medical professionals, long term care providers, other DHS units and family members. If the Office approves the application, the Office will petition a court for guardianship of the ward and, if appointed, may serve the guardian of the person, the estate, or both.
The Office of Appeals and Hearings conducts administrative hearings and makes the final agency decisions for the Department regarding appealed actions. A request for an administrative hearing may concern Medicaid, Maltreatment, SNAP, or a number of other agency programs.
The Appellate Section provides statewide legal representation to the Department of Human Services in the areas of child welfare and adult protective services.
Also provides legal assistance and representation on administrative matters, litigation pertaining to delivery of services, program administration, and overpayment collections.
The Regulatory Section provides legal assistance and representation on contracts, privacy section matters, employment law, personnel, civil rights and rules promulgation issues for the agency.
The Privacy Section ensures the Agency’s compliance with HIPAA and privacy laws. It is also responsible for handling subpoenas, record requests, authorizations for information, and compliance with court orders.
County Legal Operations provides statewide legal representation to the Department of Human Services in the areas of child welfare and adult protective services.
Contact Information
| Office | Address | Phone | |
| Regulatory Section | P.O. Box 1437 – Slot S260 Little Rock, AR 72203-1437 | 501-396-6456 Fax: 501-682-8009 | |
| Appeals and Hearings | P.O. Box 1437 – Slot S101 Little Rock, AR 72203-1437 | 501-682-8622 Fax: 501-682-6605 | |
| County Legal Operations | P.O. Box 1437 – Slot S260 Little Rock, AR 72203-1437 | 501-534-4170 Fax: 501-682-8639 | |
| Privacy Section | P.O. Box 1437 – Slot S260 Little Rock, AR 72203-1437 | 501-320-6292 Fax: 501-683-4829 | |
| Appellate Section | P.O. Box 1437 – Slot S260 Little Rock, AR 72203-1437 | 501-320-6334 Fax: 501-682-6720 | |
| Office of Public Guardian | P.O. Box 1437 – Slot W105 Little Rock, AR 72203-1437 | 888-397-2430 Fax: 501-682-1483 |
Staff
| Name | Title | Phone |
| Jim Brader | Chief Counsel | 501-396-6168, Fax: 501-682-8009 |
| Brett Hays | Chief Deputy Counsel – Regulatory, Security and Compliance | 501-396-6456, Fax: 501-682-8009 |
| Daniel Brightwell | Deputy Counsel – County Legal Operations | 501-534-4170, Fax: 501-682-8009 |
| Sommer Faulkenberry | Chief Administrative Law Judge, Appeals and Hearings | 501-682-8622, Fax: 501-682-6605 |
| Brandy Wedsted | Office Manager, Office of Chief Counsel | 501-682-8667, Fax: 501-682-8009 |
| Jennifer Holland | DHS Privacy Officer | 501-320-6560 |
| Carolyn Singleton | Public Guardian for Adults | 888-397-2430, Fax: 501-682-1483 |
| Vincent France | Chief Deputy Counsel Appellate | 501-534-4127 |
OCC Documents & Forms
| Documents | Doc Type | Date |
| Application for Public Guardian | 09/22/2020 | |
| Adoption Information Sheet | 09/20/2011 |
