Thomas Mars
Trial Lawyer

Tom Mars is an accomplished trial lawyer, a nationally recognized advocate in collegiate sports, and an experienced crisis consultant for companies, executives, and public officials.

After graduating first in his law school class and making the top score on the bar exam, Tom began his career as a law clerk to Judge Monroe McKay on the U.S. Court of Appeals. Following his clerkship, Tom spent the next ten years establishing himself as one of Arkansas’ most formidable trial lawyers. Tom’s accomplishments as a trial lawyer have included a number of seven-figure jury verdicts and eight-figure settlements and the successful defense of corporate defendants in complex litigation. His litigation experience includes business torts and contract disputes, class actions, RICO, defamation, civil rights, medical malpractice, FOIA, administrative law claims and the representation of clients in civil and criminal federal investigations.

In the 1990s, Tom’s high-profile clients included the Governor of Arkansas. In 1998, the Governor asked Tom (a former police officer) to join his leadership team as Director of the Arkansas State Police—the state’s highest-ranking law enforcement position. He served in that capacity for nearly three years before returning to private practice as a trial lawyer in Northwest Arkansas.

Not long after returning to private practice, Tom was recruited by Walmart to manage its vast litigation portfolio as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel. Four months after joining Walmart’s legal department, he was promoted to Senior Vice President and General Counsel and became responsible for all of the company’s legal matters. During his tenure as Walmart’s General Counsel, Tom led an ambitious diversity initiative and became a nationally known champion for advancing diversity in the legal profession. He received numerous awards for his leadership in this area, including the American Bar Association’s prestigious “Spirit of Excellence Award.”

Five years after joining Walmart, in recognition of Walmart’s legal department receiving national acclaim for both its unprecedented diversity and extraordinary talent, Tom was promoted to Executive Vice President and General Counsel. Two years later, he was promoted again and joined the leadership team of Walmart U.S. as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. In that role, he was responsible for various business units, including real estate, human resources, labor relations, external relations, U.S. compliance, and financial services.

In recent years, Tom has represented a number of high-profile student-athletes in matters involving the NCAA’s transfer rules. Based on his success in securing eligibility waivers for his student-athlete clients, sports writers have referred to Tom as the “the most impactful man in a suit in college football” and “the de facto commissioner of the new [college football] culture.”

In describing Tom’s ability to win difficult cases in high-stakes litigation, members of the media and former clients have described Tom as “fearless,” “relentless,” and a “fierce litigator” who’s “committed to winning.” Commenting on Tom’s track record as a trial lawyer, one journalist recently said that “Mars is to lawyering what Tom Brady is to quarterbacking.”

The breadth and depth of Tom’s experience make him uniquely qualified to represent individual and corporate clients in litigation, administrative proceedings, and enforcement actions by government agencies. His prior experience also makes him well-suited to work with clients and their PR professionals facing situations that could result in lasting business and reputational damage.

USA Chambers and Partners 2018 Leading Individual
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