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Exhibit 10.2

FIRST AMENDMENT
OF
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT OF PATRICK J. MOORE

        This Amendment Agreement (the "Amendment") is effective as of January 4,
2002 (the "Amendment Date"), as to the Employment Agreement (the "Agreement") by
and between Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation (the "Company"), and Patrick J.
Moore (the "Executive").

        WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive entered into an Employment
Agreement effective as of April 1, 1999 (the "Employment Agreement"); and

        WHEREAS, the Company has promoted the Executive to the position of Chief
Executive Officer; and

        WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive now desire to amend the
Employment Agreement to reflect the Executive's promotion and the other terms
and conditions of his employment;

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual terms, covenants and
conditions stated in this Amendment, the Company and the Executive hereby agree
to amend the Employment Agreement, effective as of January 4, 2002, as follows:

        1.    By substituting the title "President and Chief Executive Officer"
following for the title "Vice President and Chief Financial Officer" each place
where the latter title appears in the Employment Agreement, and substituting the
following for Section 1 of the Employment Agreement:

        "1.    Employment.    The Company hereby employs the Executive and the
Executive hereby accepts employment with the Company as President and Chief
Executive Officer. During the Employment Term (as hereinafter defined),
Executive will have the title, status and duties of President and Chief
Executive Officer and will report directly to the Company's Board of Directors
(the "Board'). The Company shall also nominate the Executive to serve on the
Board; provided that, in the event of Executive's employment termination for any
reason, the Executive shall contemporaneously resign from the Board."

        2.    By substituting the following for Section 3(a) of the Employment
Agreement:

        "(a) The Executive will perform duties assigned by the Board from time
to time; provided that the Executive shall not be assigned tasks inconsistent
with those of President and Chief Executive Officer."

        3.    By substituting the following for Section 4(a) of the Employment
Agreement:

        "(a)    Base Salary.    The Company shall pay the Executive at an annual
base salary ("Base Salary") of one million dollars ($1,000,000.00). The Board,
or such committee of the Board as is responsible for setting the compensation of
senior executive officers, shall review the Executive's performance and Base
Salary annually in January of each year, and determine whether to adjust the
Executive's Base Salary on a prospective basis. The first review shall be in
January 2003. Such adjusted annual salary then shall become the Executive's
"Base Salary" for purposes of this Agreement. The Executive's annual Base Salary
shall not be reduced after any increase, without the Executive's consent. The
Company shall pay the Executive's Base Salary according to payroll practices in
effect for all senior executive officers of the Company."

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        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment effective
as of the date first above written.

    SMURFIT-STONE CONTAINER CORPORATION /s/  PATRICK J. MOORE      

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PATRICK J. MOORE           By: /s/  CHARLES A. HINRICHS      

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Charles A. Hinrichs     Its: Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

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Exhibit 10.2