Mark Packer joined Devereux Murphy LLC after more than 20 years of civil litigation and corporate experience over 12 years experience litigating commercial matters in federal and state courts -- as a partner of the firm Peper, Martin, Jensen, Maichel & Hetlage, and 11 years as Chief Operating Officer of Swing-A-Way Manufacturing Co., a multi-million dollar consumer goods manufacturer and vendor to national and international retailers and distributors.  His practice focuses on civil trial and appellate matters, particularly in financial, securities, intellectual property, commercial and complex litigation.  Additionally, Mr. Packer represents business clients in handling the broad-range of legal issues often faced by small, mid-sized and growing companies.

Highlights from Mr. Packer's broad-ranging trial and appellate practice include: Obtained multi-million dollar settlements for the Resolution Trust Corp. in series of claims against officers and directors of failed savings and loans, accountants, attorneys and other professions. Obtained multi-million judgment in suit to appraise the value of stock of a minority stockholder then at the time, largest judge-tried verdict in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, obtained multi-million judgment on behalf of a leading investment banking firm arising from a major corporate acquisition.  Represented securities and commodities broker-dealers in numerous actions brought by customers.  Handled numerous intellectual property cases -- trademark, trade dress patent infringement, copyright and unfair competition and unfair trade practices cases.  Represented construction contractors in lawsuits involving claims of construction defects.  Handled on behalf of industrial electric and gas users numerous proceedings before the Missouri Public Service Commission.  Developed franchise agreements and operations manuals, and represented franchisors in various matters with franchisees.

In addition to extensive commercial litigation experience, Mr. Packer brings a very practical business perspective from his years in industry to the representation of corporate clients both in litigation and in general business matters.  He is experienced in all aspects of vendor-retailer disputes, compliance charge-backs, e-commerce, supply-chain and freight issues, and distribution, import, export, customs and NAFTA issues.  Mr. Packer has extensive experience in labor union negotiations, and with employee disciplinary, grievance, and termination issues.  He has handled safety and environmental compliance issues commonly faced by manufacturers including issues before OSHA, EPA and state and local agencies.  He is experienced in acquisition, transactional and shareholder matters.  Mr. Packer has considerable expertise in the protection of trade secrets, patent, trademark, trade dress, and other intellectual property rights and in dealing with unfair competition, advertising and trade practices issues.  He has negotiated, developed and drafted acquisition and transaction agreements, franchise agreements, shareholders agreements, corporate minutes and resolutions, supplier terms and conditions, distributor and sales rep agreements, OSHA compliant safety and health manuals, and employee manuals, policies and procedures.