Ronald C. Small

Ronald Small grew up in Ottawa, Kansas, and attended Wichita State University before earning his Juris Doctor from Washburn University School of Law. Prior to joining Hughes & Coleman, Ronald served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force JAG Corps and as a First Assistant Federal Public Defender, where he led complex litigation and mentored trial teams. In 1995, Ronald received the honor of Company Grade Officer of the Year before retiring from service in 2016.

Ronald chose to practice personal injury law because it allows him to stand up for individuals and families who are facing some of the most difficult challenges of their lives. After decades of trying complex cases and defending those without a voice, he wanted to dedicate his skills to helping injury victims secure the resources and justice they deserve while holding large insurance companies and greedy corporations responsible for negligence.

While fighting for personal injury victims in Tennessee, Ronald applies his decades of courtroom experience to make a direct and meaningful difference in peoples’ lives. Throughout his experience, he has handled high stakes litigation, giving him the knowledge and skillset to build strong cases, negotiate effectively, and, when necessary, present cases before a jury. His background as a federal trial attorney and military officer enhanced his capabilities in investigation, advocacy, and leadership.

After spending his career standing beside individuals in difficult circumstances, Ronald’s approach to personal injury law is to ensure his clients and their families get the help they need. He stands beside them, advocating for them in the court systems and dedicating his time to seeing their cases through to the end. For Ronald, helping injury victims isn’t just about the legal work, it’s about restoring dignity, security, and hope for clients and their families when they need it the most.

Ronald is a life member of the Napier Looby Bar Association and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He was a chairman for 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee from 2021-2023 and can be seen on the Ottawa High School Wall of Honor since 2016.