Former Walmart GC Thomas Mars Joins Taylor English

ATLANTA, Sept. 5, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Taylor English Duma LLP today announces that Thomas A. Mars, former General Counsel for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Chief Administrative Officer for Walmart U.S. has joined the firm as a Partner. Mars brings more than 25 years of combined legal, business and leadership experience to Taylor English.

As Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Walmart, Mars was responsible for all legal matters affecting the company in its U.S. and foreign markets. In his role as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Walmart U.S., Mars' areas of responsibility included human resources, real estate, asset protection, labor relations, financial services, compliance, supplier diversity, external stakeholder relations, and shows and events. Mars was known by general counsel nationwide as a champion of diversity issues.

"In his seven years as Walmart's GC, Tom managed and guided the resolution of more high-stakes legal matters than most lawyers see in a lifetime," said Marc Taylor, Co-founding Member of Taylor English. "In addition to his well-known accomplishments in transforming Walmart's legal department into the world-class organization it is today, Tom's leadership at Walmart contributed to the company's growth both in the U.S. and abroad and resulted in the successful resolution of many high-profile disputes, enforcement actions, and complex litigation matters - which included the eventual dismissal of the largest employment class action ever brought against a corporate defendant."

Mars was a highly experienced trial lawyer in Arkansas before joining Walmart. His experience and accomplishments include a number of seven-figure jury verdicts and eight-figure settlements as well as the successful defense of corporate defendants in complex litigation. Mars is a former member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and is a past recipient of the American Bar Association "Spirit of Excellence" Award.

Mars' trial practice encompassed a variety of law firm sizes and structures, including partnership at an AmLaw 200 national firm, two firms at which he was a name partner, and as an Associate at The Rose Law Firm, where he was designated to support Hillary Clinton.

Mars, a former Virginia police officer, stepped down from his law practice from 1998 to 2001 to serve as Director of the Arkansas State Police at the appointment of Governor Mike Huckabee.

Most recently, Mars served as the Acting CEO of the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado, a world-renowned orthopedic surgery clinic whose patients include countless professional athletes from around the globe.

"I'm honored to be joining Taylor English and to become associated with such a fine group of talented lawyers," said Mars. "As Walmart's GC, my oversight of our outside counsel network provided me with exposure to some of the best lawyers in the nation and gave me extraordinary insight into how law firms operate in today's world. While some people might have expected a former Walmart GC to join an AmLaw 100 mega-firm, my closest friends aren't at all surprised about where I've chosen to practice law. As I've explained to them, after months of looking at various law firm opportunities in a number of locations, I found in Taylor English a culture, a style of leadership and teamwork, and a commitment to value-based client service that is almost unheard of in today's legal market. All of these unique attributes are fully aligned with my own thinking about how law firms should operate and how lawyers should practice law. For these reasons, I feel very fortunate to be joining such an exceptionally fine law firm that is such a great fit for me at this point in my career. The fact that Taylor English is an Atlanta-based firm is just icing on the cake as far as I'm concerned."

About Taylor English Duma LLP

Taylor English Duma LLP is a full-service law firm built from the ground up to provide highest-quality legal services for optimal value.  The firm was founded in 2005, and its attorneys work each day to provide timely, creative and cost-effective counsel to help clients solve problems and achieve goals. Taylor English represents all types of clients--from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups to individuals.  More information can be found on the firm's website at www.taylorenglish.com.