Professional Experience
- THOMAS A. MARS, P.A., Rogers, AR and Atlanta, GA
5/2019 to present
President/Shareholder - FRIDAY, ELDREDGE & CLARK, LLP, Little Rock, AR
1/2016 – 5/2019
Senior Counsel - TAYLOR ENGLISH DUMA LLP, Atlanta, GA
12/2014–12/2015
Partner - THE STEADMAN CLINIC, Vail, CO
10/2013–1/2014
Acting CEO - WALMART STORES, INC., Bentonville, AR
2002–2013
EVP & Chief Administrative Officer, Walmart U.S. (2009–2013)
EVP & General Counsel, Walmart Stores, Inc. (2007–2009)
SVP & General Counsel, Walmart Stores, Inc. (5/2002–2007)
VP, Division GC for Litigation, Walmart Stores, Inc. (1/2002–5/2002) - KUTAK ROCK LLP, Fayetteville, AR
2001–2002
Managing Partner, Northwest Arkansas Office - ARKANSAS STATE POLICE, Little Rock, AR
1998–2001
Director - EVERETT & MARS, Fayetteville, AR
1992–1998
Partner - STANLEY, HARRINGTON & MARS, Springdale, AR
1989–1992
Partner - ROSE LAW FIRM, Little Rock, AR
1986–1989
Associate - JUDGE MONROE G. MCKAY, U.S. COURT OF APPEALS, Salt Lake City, UT
1985–1986
Law Clerk - LYNCHBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT, Lynchburg, VA
1980–1982
Police Officer
Noteworthy Awards
- American Bar Association “Spirit of Excellence Award”
- Inside Counsel magazine established “Thomas Mars Transformative Leadership Award”
- Minority Corporate Counsel Association “Diversity Award”
- National Asian Pacific American Bar Association “President’s Award”
- National Association of Women Lawyers “President’s Award”
- National Action Network (Rev. Al Sharpton) “Corporate Citizen Award”
- Ranked in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers, Litigation: General Commercial, 2018
Education
- J.D., University of Arkansas School of Law
Graduated first in class- Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review
- Top score on Arkansas Bar Exam
- B.A., Criminology, Arkansas State University
Key Matters
- Fisher Trucking v. Fleet Lease (Washington County Circuit Court)
Lead counsel for plaintiff in breach of contract action
$1 million jury verdict - Sanford v. Crittenden Memorial Hospital (U.S. District Court, E.D. Ark.)
Lead counsel for plaintiff in malpractice action
$2 million jury verdict - Michael Fitzhugh v. Little Rock Newspapers, Inc. (Sebastian County, AR Circuit Court)
Lead counsel for former U.S. Attorney claiming defamation by newspaper
$50,000 jury verdict - Oliver Miller v. KPOM/KFAA (U.S. District Court, W.D. Ark.)
Lead counsel for college athlete claiming defamation by television station
Settlement agreement sealed at defendant’s request - Pavlik v. Cargill (U.S. District Court, W.D. Ark.)
Lead counsel for defendant in RICO action
Jury verdict for defendant - Fowler v. Arkla, Inc. (Ark. Public Service Commission)
Lead counsel for class of utility ratepayers
Following partial $5.8 million settlement during trial, PSC ruled that ratepayers were entitled to an additional $17.1 million refund - Ozark Egg v. Latco (Washington County Circuit Court)
Lead counsel for plaintiff alleging fraud and breach of contract
$400,000 jury verdict - Houston Nutt v. University of Mississippi (Lafayette County, MS Circuit Court)
Lead counsel for former SEC football coach in breach of contract action
Undisclosed settlement with public apology by the university - ADDvantage Media v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (U.S. District Court, W.D. Ark.)
Lead counsel for public company alleging breach of contract
$23.5 million settlement - R.A.M. Environmental v. Taylor et al. (U.S. District Court, E.D. Ark.)
Lead counsel for defendants in breach of contract action
Jury verdict for defendant and award of damages for plaintiffs on counterclaim - Jenkins v. Doc Murdock’s (U.S. District Court, W.D. Ark.)
Lead counsel for individual African American plaintiffs in civil rights action
Jury verdict for actual and punitive damages, plus award of attorneys’ fees - Thompson v. Edward D. Jones (U.S. District Court, E. D. Ark.)
Co-class counsel in securities fraud class action
$15 million class settlement - Burrow v. First Commercial Trust Co. (Pulaski County Circuit Court)
Co-class counsel in securities fraud class action
$7.5 million class settlement
Admissions
- Arkansas
- Georgia