PRACTICE AREAS

Agricultural Law & Representing Farmers       

Clark Mason was instrumental in achieving a landmark settlement against Tyson Foods on behalf of Arkansas farmers. The $43 million settlement compensated Tyson producers for their lost investments and associated cleanup efforts after they abandoned Arkansas swine producers. Clark devotes a substantial part of his practice to representing Arkansas' farmers.  Examples include representing Arkansas' Wheat farmers against Monsanto after unapproved genetically modified wheat seed contaminated certain wheat crops, causing a significant drop in wheat prices. Similarly, Clark is actively involved in a major case against Swiss Agri Giant Syngenta, whereby the genetically modified traits found in Syngenta's VIPTERA™ and DURACADE™ corn seeds contaminated the U.S. corn supply and U.S. corn shipments to China. At the time, Syngenta knew China had not approved it's GMO traits and U.S. corn exports to China were contaminated with it's GMO traits.  Instead, Syngenta gambled China would be forced to approve it's GMO traits after receiving U.S. corn. Instead, China not only refused to approve these GMO traits, China banned all U.S. corn exports. Already depressed corn prices fell further causing significant losses to U.S. farmers. Clark is also currently helping farmers and farm equipment dealers either obtain necessary FAA approval for use of agricultural drones, or advising them concerning their use. Drawing on his background as a pilot and knowledge of FAA regulations, Clark has helped Arkansas farmers and farm businesses in most every area of agricultural law, and helping them obtain and legally use drones to save costs, increase efficiency and gain higher yields is another example of how Clark continues to proudly help farmers and farming related businesses as he has for decades.

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  Business and Healthcare Law
​ Clark represents inpatient, acute care hospitals and residential care facilities that focus on the treatment and care of Arkansas' children and adolescents with behavioral health issues, including many subjected to physical and mental abuse. We negotiate, arbitrate and mediate a variety of corporate and commercial business disputes, including conflicts involving the construction industry. This includes insurance claims, breach of contract, surety claims,  fraud and misrepresentation, and deceptive trade practices. Clark successfully tried one of Arkansas’s first cases against a foreign entity, traveling to Hong Kong and Taiwan in the process, and ultimately collecting the proceeds of the judgment overseas.

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Aviation Law

​​The firm has successfully tried and settled numerous cases involving aircraft crashes and other aviation disasters.  Having been a private pilot for over 30 years, Clark is passionate about aviation and holds multiple FAA ratings, endorsements and certifications. Notably, Clark holds a current instrument rating, multi-engine rating, complex aircraft endorsement, and has extensive flight time as pilot-in-command of turbine aircraft. He currently flies the firm’s Beechcraft Baron.

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Big Truck Collisions, Catastrophic Injury and Death 
​Catastrophic injuries typically occur suddenly and without warning. These devastating injuries impact not only the victims but their families. And in Arkansas, these injuries often result from serious automobile and tractor trailer accidents, defective products, and the negligence of others. We have successfully represented catastrophically injured clients from all walks of life, many who have suffered paralysis, lost limbs, severe burns, brain injury and other debilitating, life-changing events. Here in Arkansas we all know Interstate 40 is one of the busiest trucking routes in the United States.  While Interstates 40 and 30 are crucial to our nation's economy — they are also two of Arkansas’ primary sources of tragedy. In Arkansas, no roads are more likely to be the site of big truck collisions, injuries and death. To further serve victims of these tragedies, Clark teamed with two outstanding and successful partners and created the firm Mason Kelly & Collier, PLLC.  This provides Clark with three additional, fully staffed offices along I-40, I-30 and Highway 67 to respond quickly to big truck collisions or other catastrophic events on these dangerous roads. With Clark’s nearly 35 years of experience, the firm of Mason, Kelly & Collier has over 75 years of combined experience and knowledge gained from and now exclusively dedicated to helping victims of big truck collisions and tragedies on Arkansas’ highways.  You can learn more about how Clark and Mason, Kelly & Collier can help you or your family more than ever in connection with big truck collisions and related catastrophic events.  Please visit the website of Mason, Kelly & Collier, PLLC at http://I40accidentlawyers.com to learn more.

One additional example of this category are cases against Stryker related to its hip replacement products.  Stryker has recalled portions of its Hip Replacement system, and problems continue to arise from it's hip implant products. These products were initially installed from November 2009 to July 2012, when they were recalled.  Now, additional components installed later are being linked to hip replacement failures. Clark Mason Attorneys has filed suit and continues to handle these cases. We initially dedicated a specific web site for these cases at http://www.strykerhiprecall.biz. If you or someone you know had a Total Hip Replacement between November 2009 and July 2012, please visit that site for more information.  And, as more information about additional Stryker hip replacement components causing injury to those with hip replacement surgery or revisions to their original surgery, we will update our http://www.strykerhiprecall.biz website.  

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Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect

The firm’s attorneys have been involved in numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements against nursing homes. Our practice has consistently included representing the rights and protecting the dignity of society’s most vulnerable citizens. Examples of nursing home abuse and neglect include bedsores, infections, medication errors, dehydration, weight loss and malnutrition, falls and broken bones.  Elder abuse and neglect in nursing homes is often a result of lack of adequate staffing.

Railroad

We understand the  exceptional hazards unique to the railroad industry. As a result of the dangers facing these workers, Congress enacted the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). Under FELA a railroad worker has the right to a jury trial and recovery of damages if injured or killed as a result of fault by the railroad, such as defective equipment, a defective locomotive or car or unsafe working conditions. The firm has successfully represented hundreds of injured railroad workers and received one of the highest jury verdicts ever recorded for a locomotive engineers’ hearing loss.