The opinion
Cite as 2026 Ark. App. 43
ARKANSAS COURT OF APPEALS
DIVISION IV
No. E-25-122
Opinion Delivered January 21, 2026
LITTLE ROCK PLASTIC SURGERY,
APPEAL FROM THE ARKANSAS
P.A.
BOARD OF REVIEW
APPELLANT
V. [NO. 2025-BR-00486]
DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF
WORKFORCE SERVICES; AND
BATHSHEBA MCCALL
APPELLEES DISMISSED
CINDY GRACE THYER, Judge
Appellant Little Rock Plastic Surgery, P.A. (“LRPS”), appeals from the Arkansas
Board of Review’s September 2, 2025 decision affirming the Appeal Tribunal and finding
that the claimant, Bathsheba McCall, was entitled to unemployment benefits. The Board
concluded that LRPS failed to meet its burden of proving that McCall engaged in
misconduct in connection with her work. We dismiss due to lack of jurisdiction.
On October 1, 2025, LRPS filed its petition for review with this court. The petition
reflected that LRPS is a corporation and represented by counsel, Danny Crabtree. However,
the petition was signed by Kristy Spann, LRPS’s business manager. It is well settled that
corporations must be represented by licensed attorneys. CFO Network, LLC v. Dir., 2023 Ark.
App. 303; see also IHOP #1914 v. Dir., 2023 Ark. App. 102 (holding that when a party not
licensed to practice law in this state attempts to represent the interests of others by submitting
himself or herself to the jurisdiction of a court, those actions, such as the filing of pleadings,
are rendered a nullity).
In the instant case, Spann is a business manager, not an attorney, and may not
represent LRPS. Invoking the process of a court of law constitutes the practice of law. IHOP
#1914, 2023 Ark. App. 102, at 2. Because Spann was practicing law when she signed the
petition, the petition is null and void. As a result, we lack jurisdiction and dismiss this
appeal.
Dismissed.
VIRDEN and BARRETT, JJ., agree.
Kristy Spann, pro se appellant.
Cynthia L. Uhrynowycz, for appellee.
2