Mark’s approach to the practice of law is unique and consequential. Most defense counsel approach a litigated case with the initial goal to somehow minimize exposure and liability without regard to determining the actual cause of the event. Instead, Mark first analyzes the case from the prospective of a future jury member. He attempts to identify the truth of the case which then leads to a fundamental understanding of how the case is likely to play out at trial. For example, as a product liability lawyer, he first wants to know whether the product was the root cause of the injury or was it caused by product misuse. If the latter, no matter how complex the case might appear or how catastrophic the injury or death is, the defense to the case isn’t a defense of the product but the prosecution of the negligent behavior of those who caused the injury to occur. As a result, the trial will center on actual cause—how the product was used or misused.

He is routinely sought out by legal departments of publicly traded companies to defend litigated matters and to provide experienced guidance in how to approach, manage and resolve large tranches of litigated cases. He is routinely retained by those legal departments to defend claimed exposure to so-called hazardous materials (silica, asbestos, talc etc.) and is well known for his keen understanding of the complex medicine and latest causation theories utilized in these cases.

Mark is a very experienced ‘first-chair’ trial lawyer who must navigate the most difficult trials, some of which have been ‘bet the company’ trials.

He has served as national coordinating counsel for several large manufacturers, overseeing and directing local counsel in state and federal litigation for thousands of cases.

Mark’s subspeciality is as a crisis manager for companies who must decide quickly how to address and positively resolve potential crises such as a negative social media event, the recall of a non-performing product, a multiple injury and death event or a large data security breach which threatens to undermine a company reputation for integrity. He has helped these companies to successfully navigate some of the most challenging difficulties.

Mark also has extensive expertise as an insurance coverage lawyer who has written opinion letters at the request of insurers to provide a specific opinion whether a given claim is within or outside of insurance coverage based on the facts of the loss and the language of the policy. He has testified in declaratory relief and so-called ‘bad faith’ case in support of his expert opinion.

Mark is also a trial qualified legal malpractice expert having testified at trial in such cases.

Historically, he volunteered his time to serve as a Los Angeles Superior Court Arbitrator and Mediator.

Mark is the Managing Partner of the firm’s Los Angeles office and is the co-chair of the firm’s PFAS group. He is a frequent presenter on the latest so-called toxic tort issues, including the emerging product claims involving engineered stone/ silicosis and related defenses.