On Monday, April 21, 2025, the Arkansas Supreme Court Committee on Professional Conduct Panel B cautioned Attorney Josh Quincy Hurst for professional misconduct related to his representation of Darlene Carvin in a civil case. The decision followed a consent agreement between Hurst and the committee, addressing violations of multiple Arkansas Rules of Professional Conduct.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Josh Quincy Hurst,” with case no. CPC-2019-042.
The case stemmed from Hurst’s representation of Carvin in a lawsuit against attorney Janie Evins, which began in 2010. Carvin had loaned Evins $142,000 in 1997, and after Evins failed to honor a 2002 settlement agreement, Carvin pursued legal action.
Hurst took over as Carvin’s counsel in March 2010, during a refiled suit in Garland County Circuit Court. The court had set a June 2010 trial date and required pre-trial briefs by March 30, 2010. Hurst secured an extension to May 1 but failed to file the brief until September 30, 2010, after obtaining a trial continuance to October. This delay led to the dismissal of Carvin’s case without prejudice on October 4, 2010, marking the second dismissal of her claims against Evins.
In 2011, Carvin, represented by new counsel, refiled the suit in Pulaski County Circuit Court and won a $166,231 judgment against Evins. However, the Arkansas Court of Appeals later reversed this decision, citing the prior dismissals.
Carvin then filed a legal negligence lawsuit against Hurst in 2013. In 2014, the parties agreed to a $45,000 consent judgment, with Hurst committing to pay Carvin $800 monthly starting September 5, 2014. Hurst made no payments, prompting Carvin to pursue garnishment in 2015. Hurst’s brother, Justin Hurst, filed a response claiming Josh Hurst was not employed by their family firm, Hurst, Morrissey & Hurst, PLLC, a statement the committee later deemed false.
Hurst filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in 2016 and 2017, listing Carvin as a creditor, but the cases were dismissed for non-compliance. Between 2019 and 2022, Hurst’s father made payments totaling approximately $24,508 toward the judgment. The committee found Hurst violated rules requiring competent representation, diligence, candor toward a tribunal, and conduct free of dishonesty or prejudice to justice.
Hurst was ordered to continue $800 monthly payments to Carvin until the $45,000 judgment is paid, provide payment records to the Office of Professional Conduct, and pay $50 in costs within 30 days.
According to Avvo.com, Mr. Hurst is a criminal defense attorney in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He attended the University of Arkansas. He acquired his law license in Arkansas in 2004.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
