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    Mark Halbert photograph

    Mark N. Halbert

    Partner

    Tupelo
    662-690-8139
    mark.halbert@phelps.com
    Areas Of Focus
    Labor and Employment

    Mark Halbert practices in the area of general civil litigation and labor and employment. He has more than 20 years of litigation experience, with extensive experience in employment litigation, tort claims, commercial litigation and estate disputes.

    Mark represents management in a variety of employment matters including employment discrimination claims, wrongful termination, fair labor standards and practices, and employment policies. He represents business clients in contract negotiations, breach of contract claims, non-competition and non-solicitation clauses, and lease disputes. His tort litigation work includes premises liability claims, trucking accidents and malicious prosecution. He has extensive experience in chancery court matters involving will contests, breach of fiduciary duty and general probate disputes.

    Mark is licensed to practice law in Mississippi and Arkansas, and he has litigated cases in state and federal courts, including appeals to the Fifth and Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Court of Federal Claims.

    Mark is licensed to practice law in Mississippi and Arkansas, and he has litigated cases in state and federal courts, including appeals to the Fifth and Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Court of Federal Claims.

    Experience

    • Successfully defended a health care system in a trademark claim made by a community health center operating under a similar trade name. During the discovery period, the Court granted a motion to dismiss and the case was settled within two weeks of the amended complaint being filed. 

    • Won a jury verdict in a breach-of-noncompete agreement suit against the seller of a pool installation and service business.  Recovered 60% of the $1 million purchase price as damages for loss of goodwill. 

    • Represent large and small employers before the EEOC and before state and federal courts for claims involving employment discrimination and wrongful discharge.

    • Represent a U.S. retailer in premises liability claims, and obtained defense verdicts in jury trials involving claims ranging from $250,000 to $16 million.
    • Represent a start-up chain of medical clinics in litigation concerning claims for breach of confidentiality and unlawful competition.
    • Represent beneficiaries to multi-million dollar estates in claims of undue influence and lack of testamentary capacity.

    Insights

    • May 1, 2025

      NEMSHRA Presents General Employment Law Update Meeting…

    • November 21, 2024

      18 Phelps Lawyers Named to 2024 Mid-South Super Lawyers Lists…

    More +
    • August 15, 2024

      185 Phelps Lawyers Chosen for Best Lawyers in America, 20 Named "Lawyer of the Year," 26 Added to “Ones to Watch” List…

    • November 28, 2023

      Sixteen Phelps Lawyers Honored on 2023 Mid-South Super Lawyers Lists…

    • October 3, 2023

      Jackson Office Earns Three Federal Appellate Victories in 30 Days …

    • August 17, 2023

      Best Lawyers in America Selects 208 Phelps Lawyers, Names 12 "Lawyer of the Year," Adds 47 to "Ones to Watch" List…

    • August 18, 2022

      Best Lawyers in America Selects 158 Phelps Lawyers, Names 10 "Lawyer of the Year," Adds 40 to "Ones to Watch" List…

    • August 5, 2021

      Mississippi Labor & Employment Law Conference…

    Recognition

    • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
    • Employment Law - Management (2011-2025), Litigation - Labor and Employment (2011-2025), The Best Lawyers in America
    • Mid-South Super Lawyers list, Super Lawyers (2023)
    • Employment Law Experts - Top Recommended Attorney in Tupelo (2016)

     

    • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
    • Employment Law - Management (2011-2025), Litigation - Labor and Employment (2011-2025), The Best Lawyers in America
    • Mid-South Super Lawyers list, Super Lawyers (2023)
    • Employment Law Experts - Top Recommended Attorney in Tupelo (2016)

     

    Education

    • University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, J.D., with honors, 1996
    • Harding University, B.S., Public Administration, 1991
    • University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, J.D., with honors, 1996
    • Harding University, B.S., Public Administration, 1991

    Credentials

    • Mississippi
    • Arkansas
    • Mississippi
    • Arkansas

    Memberships and Affiliations

    • Mississippi Bar Association
    • American Bar Association
    • Defense Research Institute
    • Lee County Bar Association
    • Mississippi Bar Association
    • American Bar Association
    • Defense Research Institute
    • Lee County Bar Association
    • Overview
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    Related Services

    • Labor and Employment
    • Unfair Competition and Business Torts
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