Mark Stodola

Mark Stodola
Contact Information
501-372-2121
mstodola@catlaw.com

Practice Areas
• Litigation
• Government & Legislative/Regulatory
• International.

Education

University of Iowa (B.A. 1971, double major in Political Science and Journalism.)

University of Arkansas School of Law, Fayetteville (J.D. 1974)

Continuing Education - Three hundred Sixty (360) hours of continuing legal education received 1989 to 2001 (144 required). National College of District Attorneys (NCDA) Executive Prosecutor Course, 1990. Harvard Law School, Program of Instruction for Lawyers, 1989. Department of Justice, National Law Institute, 1988.

Mark Stodola currently is the Managing Partner of Catlett & Stodola, PLC and heads up the firm’s litigation and government/regulatory practice groups. He has extensive legal and governmental experience at the federal, state and local levels and currently serves as general counsel to the Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission and legal counsel to Perry County. He has previously served as the City Attorney of Little Rock and the city of Maumelle, and the Maumelle Public facilities Board. He has also been hired in the past to represent various other municipalities including the cities of North Little Rock, Hazen, Gurdon and Rockport. Mr. Stodola served six years as Prosecuting Attorney for the Sixth Judicial District and six years as City Attorney for the City of Little Rock. He has dealt with various federal agencies and understands the committee and legislative process having worked with and advised various members of the Arkansas congressional delegation on bills pending before Congress. As a trial attorney he has handled dozens of trials before the circuit and chancery courts of Arkansas and the Federal District courts in Arkansas, including jury and bench trials of every magnitude and complex civil litigation for various clients.

Previously, as City Attorney for both Little Rock and Maumelle, he served as legal counsel for all litigation filed on behalf of or against the municipalities. Mr. Stodola was responsible for all legal opinions and advice given to the City Board of Directors and the preparation and review of all city ordinances. He personally initiated and supervised the updating and re‑codification of both the Little Rock Municipal and the Maumelle City Code.

Having represented Perry County for the past twelve (12) years, he has been involved in on all civil legal matters including contract negotiations, personnel issues and disputes.

Mr. Stodola is a member of the Municipal Operations Section of the National Institute of Municipal Officers (NIMLO), now known as the International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA), and is currently the recorder for the Transportation and Public Facilities Section.[1] He has lectured on land use, zoning and subdivision matters, Freedom of Information Laws, and other matters of concern to local government for several continuing legal education seminars.

Mr. Stodola has taught relevant courses at several academic institutions:[2]

1) Adjunct professor for UALR School of Law in Municipal Government (1990).

2) Adjunct professor for Webster University in Public Policy and Administration graduate level masters degree program (1995 to present)

3) Adjunct professor for Park College (LRAFB Campus) in Business Law

4) Adjunct professor for UALR Business School Executive MBA program (2001 to present)

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:

As counsel to various municipalities, Mr. Stodola’s experience covers a wide array of local government concerns.

· He is responsible for all legal issues and condemnation actions concerning the Little Rock National Airport.

· Recently, he served as Issuer’s Counsel on two bond issues for the City of Maumelle involving the purchase of land for expansion of the City’s Parks and Recreation activities. He also served as Issuer’s Counsel for the Little Rock National Airport’s $29 million parking deck expansion and terminal renovation.

· As general counsel for the Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission the firm has represented the Airport on all contract negotiation involving services and construction at the Airport including professional contracts for professional architectural and engineering services.

· Mr. Stodola has advised Airport staff on a multitude of personnel issues and assisted the human relations manager and updating the Airport’s personnel manual.

· Mr. Stodola has represented the Airport on federal regulatory compliance concerns and has either participated or overseen all litigation involving the Airport.

· Our firm is totally familiar with state bidding requirements, the “RFP” process and a governmental entities responsibilities under the Arkansas “FOIA.”

· As counsel for the Airport Commission, the City of Maumelle, and as City Attorney for Little Rock, Mr. Stodola has been involved in the negotiation, drafting and review of hundreds of leases, contracts, bonds, insurance policies, city ordinances and resolutions.

· Issued dozens of legal opinions for the Airport Commission and the City of Maumelle. Over 50 formal legal opinions were issued each year on matters affecting the City of Little Rock.

[1]Mr. Stodola also served as a Vice-President of the National Assoiciation of District Attorneys (NADA) and has served as Co-Chair of the federal Legislation & Lobbying Sub-Committee, chair of the Violent Crime Working Group, and co-Chair of the Drug Control Committee.

[2]Mr. Stodola has also previoulsy taught for several years in the Criminal Justice Department of UALR, has been a guest instructor for the FBI; has been on the faculty of the National College of District Attorneys (NCDA) and selected as a faculty advisor for the NCDA.

Additional Background Information:

Commercial/financial/Tax

* Represented City of Little Rock in real estate closing of Excelsior Hotel to M.S. Green Co.

* Represented City in litigation challenging method of determining payments to Police Pension & Relief Fund. (City prevailed)

* Represented City in litigation challenging City's formation of Sewer Improvement District 142. $12 million in damages sought. (City prevailed)

* Represented City in litigation challenging collection of privilege tax from professionals. (City prevailed)

* Monitored various city bond issues and re‑issues between 1985‑1990.

* Represented City in municipal leasing arrangements established for the Little Rock Ambulance Authority.

* Represented City in LaQuinta v. City of Little Rock. Litigation challenging the obligation of LaQuinta to pay property taxes that became due when tourism bonds were declared invalid by the Arkansas Supreme Court.

* Responsible for drafting and review of original contract between municipalities for Central Arkansas Transit Authority.

* Responsible for drafting contracts, resolutions and ordinances implementing City's 1.37 million dollar economic development program.

* Represented City in Miller v. Simpson, suit against the City for slander and intentional interference with contract, $190,000 damages claimed. (City prevailed)

* Represented City in Lipkins v. City of Little Rock et al. challenging constitutionality of regulations governing taxi drivers at airport. (City prevailed)

* Legal opinions rendered on "conflict of interest" issues for city board members; political activities by Advertising & Promotion Commission members; merger requirements for Riverside Cable Franchise.

* Represented the City in several litigation matters on appeal before the Arkansas Supreme Court; Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals; and two (2) appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court.

* Represented City in City of Jacksonville, et. al v. Tom Dalton dealing with use tax revenues.

* Represented City in Pawnee Industries v. City of Little Rock challenging City's bid process. (City prevailed)

* Represented City in AT&T vs. City of Little Rock litigation over City's authority to assess a franchise tax on long distance carriers use of city rights of way. (City prevailed)

Property Acquisition/Land Use

* Handled federal controversy over Americans with Disabilities Act implementation as applied to Little Rock's Riverfront Park and City's sidewalk ordinances.

* Handled eminent domain condemnations/real estate closings on Fourche Creek land acquisitions, Geyer Springs/Chicot Road right‑of‑way acquisitions.

* Handled land use issues including eminent domain condemnations, real estate closings and annexation of Chenal Valley subdivision involving the development of Chenal Parkway.

* Provided legal counsel for meetings of the Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment, Historic District Commission.

* Drafted and helped develop Highway 10 Scenic Corridor Overlay Ordinance.

* Represented City in negotiations with Texas Eastern pipeline relocation.

* Represented City in South Loop Bypass litigation.

* Represented City in City of Little Rock v. Richardson (Taylor Loop/Hinson Road right‑of-way acquisition.)

* Represented City in Rodney Meyers. et. al. vs. Tom Dalton, et. al and Chartwell Valley et. al. vs. Tom Dalton et. al. seeking injunctive relief and monetary damages for City's alleged failure to provide water service to Chartwell Valley subdivision. $2 million damages sought. (City prevailed in both cases)

Personnel/Labor issues

* Represented City of Little Rock in Hervey et. al. v. City of Little Rock, in U.S. District Court Class Action litigation filed in light of Garcia case (U.S. Supreme Ct.) questioning whether City was required to pay over-time pay to non‑uniform personnel the same as for other city personnel.

* Advised City Personnel Department on proper compliance with Fair Labor Standards Act in light of Garcia case.

* Represented the Little Rock Civil Service Commission in all employee grievance/termination appeals to Circuit Court. (e.g. Wood v. City of Little Rock termination case; Daley v. City of Little Rock, suspension case; Craig v. Little Rock Civil Service Commission, termination case).

* Represented the City in all complaints filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) (e.g. EEOC investigation into LR Fire Department and Police Department for alleged violations of the Age Discrimination and Employment Act).

* Represented the City in five Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) audit appeals before the U.S. Department of Labor.

* Handled dozens of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests submitted yearly to the City Manager, City Clerk and all department heads.3

Grants/Funding

* Represented the City of Little Rock over U.S. Department of Health and Human Services disallowance to the City of grant funds awarded to EOA.

* Assisted Perry County in award of grant funds from Arkansas Industrial Development Commission for rural public health clinic.

* Assisted Perry County in award of grant funds from the Arkansas Department of Arkansas Heritage.

* As Prosecuting Attorney Mr. Stodola drafted applications and was awarded monies for eight various grant programs from U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Housing Urban Development, State of Arkansas, City of Little Rock, & Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation.