Mark Shaffer

Counsel 

OVERVIEW: Mark L. Shaffer brings more than 30 years experience in the area of litigation. His areas of expertise include corporate ownership and dissolution conflicts; commercial disputes; employment; government contracts; intellectual property and licensing; trade secrets; national security; real estate development, construction, leasing, and sales; production, supply, distribution and value added retailer agreements; and white collar criminal defense.

LITIGATION FORUMS: Mr. Shaffer successfully prosecutes and defends civil and criminal actions before trial and appellate courts in all District of Columbia metropolitan area jurisdictions, and other states around the country. He also represents client interests before federal and state regulatory agencies. Mr. Shaffer holds a federal security clearance which enables him to represent DISP contractors in contract bid protests, secure litigation, and Congressional and administrative agency investigations.

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS: Mr. Shaffer helps start-up companies organize, develop a viable business plan, secure their intellectual property, seek capital investment, negotiate effective contract relationships, and prosecute or, as an interested party, defend contract bid protests. He is familiar with the contract and grant requirements of the DOD, OTT, TTP and DARPA, the Federal Laboratory Consortium, both DOEs, USNSWCCD, NASA, NIH and a number of State agencies.

REAL PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS: Mr. Shaffer represented owners, buyers, developers and contractors in disputes with regulators, vendors, brokers, title insurance companies, and among themselves. He conducts compliance audits and assists clients to develop and enforce effective procedures and controls. He defends developers, owners, contractors, purchasers, and lenders in criminal and civil fraud, bank fraud and environmental cases.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION, PRODUCTION & LICENSING: Mr. Shaffer drafts licensing, production, distribution, value-added retailer, non-disclosure, non-competition, non-solicitation agreements. When necessary he represents clients in contract enforcement, misappropriation, and disgorgement lawsuits including suits for injunctive relief.

EMPLOYMENT LAW: Mr. Shaffer represents employers and professionals in all aspects of employment, including the drafting of employment and independent contractor agreements; employment documentation, procedures, training, and manuals. He also represents the interests of employers and professionals termination and severance negotiations, and in court and administrative litigation.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY: Between 1978 and 1986, Mr. Shaffer served in the U.S. Department of Justice as a Senior Trial Attorney in the Employment Litigation Section of the Civil Rights Division. Mr. Shaffer supervised and conducted investigations and litigation of complex actions against state and local governments and Executive Order 11246 actions against chartered banks. He also defended federal regulations against legal challenges. In 1992, Mr. Shaffer left private practice to serve as Associate Majority Counsel for the United States House of Representatives October Surprise Task Force. The purpose of this task force was to resolve allegations that members of the 1980 Reagan for President Campaign had violated the Logan Act to interfere with the release of the Iranian Hostages.Mr. Shaffer twice received the Attorney General's Outstanding Achievement Award. Between 1986 and the present, Mr. Shaffer practiced as a partner or principal in Washington D.C. based law firms.

OTHER: Mr. Shaffer teaches Trial Practice for the George Washington University Law School as an Adjunct Faculty Member. Mr. Shaffer serves on the Board of Directors and/or as General Counsel for three non-profit corporations: Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the National Capital Area, the Maryland Woman's Heritage Center and Museum, and Harmony Through Education. He also serves on the Town of Martins Additions Land Use Task Force.