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Mark A. Shoffner
Biography

Mark Shoffner represents and counsels clients in employment law and litigation matters. He defends and advises companies on all matters related to the employer-employee relationship, including claims brought under the wage and hour laws (FLSA), the state and federal anti-discrimination statutes (Title VII, ADEA, ADA, Equal Pay Act), the federal and state trade secrets law (DTSA and TUTSA). Mark has also prosecuted cases and defended cases for clients seeking to enforce or invalidate post-employment restrictions, including non-compete and non-solicitation agreements.


In the past year, Mark tried two cases through final arbitration hearing. In the first case, he successfully defended a Dallas-based oil and gas company against claims asserted by a former employee under Title VII for pregnancy discrimination and retaliation and a separate claim under the Equal Pay Act. After the arbitrator entered a take-nothing judgment, the former employee filed a motion to vacate the award in court. After extensive briefing, a federal judge denied the motion and affirmed the arbitration victory.

In the second case, Mark represented three individuals against claims for misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of fiduciary duty, and violation of restrictive covenants. The individual clients also asserted counterclaims against their former employer for breach of fiduciary duty and breach of the partnership agreement. After a five-day hearing, the arbitrator entered an award in favor of Mark’s clients, including the recovery of damages on the breach of fiduciary counterclaim.

Mark is currently representing a major Dallas-based transportation company in a FLSA collective action. In this case, he has successfully enforced arbitration agreements and a class action waiver.

In addition to his dispute-based practice, Mark also regularly counsels executives on matters related to employment agreements, equity agreements, and severance contracts. He also advises clients on employment best practices, including regular review of employee handbooks and policies.

Education

  • J.D., Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, 2002
  • B.A., Louisiana Tech University, 1999

Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas
  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • United States District Court for the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas
Representative Matters
  • Represented national security integration company in enforcement of non-solicitation agreements
  • Represented taxi cab company in FLSA wage and hour litigation and separate proceeding before the National Labor Relations Board
  • Represented client in a wage claim dispute
  • Defended nationwide radio operator and billboard company in arbitrated employment dispute
  • Defended national timeshare company in FLSA class action wage and hour litigation
  • Counseled clients on compliance with employment agreements, including non-competition and non-solicitation provisions
  • Prosecuted case on behalf of a major insurance benefits company in which the court granted injunctive relief and enforced contract prohibiting non-solicitation of clients and employees
  • Represented hospital chain in breach of fiduciary duty and misappropriation of trade secrets matter
  • Represented financial services company in partnership dispute, conspiracy, and breach of fiduciary duty case.
  • Represented independent board members of Las Vegas-based REIT against breach of fiduciary duty claims asserted by a bankruptcy trustee
  • Represented Boston-based commercial finance company in construction litigation against general contractor and subcontractors
  • Represented food manufacturer in trade secret dispute
  • Represented oil and gas corporation in qui tam action regarding alleged environmental contamination in the Gulf of Mexico
Noteworthy
  • Lawdragon’s Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers guide, 2022
  • Selected by attorney peers for inclusion as Texas Super Lawyers®, 2014 -2021
  • Selected by attorney peers for inclusion as Texas Rising Stars®, Texas Monthly, 2012 - 2014
  • Law clerk to United States District Judge Robert G. James, Western District of Louisiana
  • Hatton W. Sumners Scholar
Activities & Memberships
  • Hyer Elementary School Dads Club President, 2016 - 2017
  • Louisiana Tech University Alumni Association, Board Member, 2014 – 2016
  • Living for Zachary, Board Member, 2012 – 2014
  • State Bar of Texas
  • Dallas Bar Association
  • Texas Bar Foundation
Publications
Presentations
  • Speaker, "Employer COVID-19 Facts & Questions for 2021," Texas Security Bank Speaker Series, April 27, 2021.
  • Speaker, “The Dallas Sick Leave Ordinance – Where On Earth Are We?,” American Staffing Association Texas Network Seminar, August 22, 2019.
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