Select Matters
- General Obligation Bond: Representation of a school district in a $14 million dollar general obligation bond issuance. (2013)
- Joint Use Agreement: Representation of an electric utility in negotiating a new joint use agreement with a common use telephone provider. (2005)
- Eminent Domain: Trial counsel for acquisition of a transmission line right of way. Jury awarded landowner 5% of its requested relief. (2016)
- Eminent Domain: Trial counsel for acquisition of a transmission line right of way. Jury awarded landowner less than 33% of its requested relief. (2016)
- Contractor Dispute: Mark was first chair for jury trial involving claims against a subcontract, general contractor and owner. After six days of trial, the sub-subcontractor's lien claims against the owner and general contractor were dismissed and not submitted to the jury. Despite arguments for a verdict in excess of $1 million, the jury awarded the sub-subcontractor the balance of its contract value from the subcontractor and a nominal award against the general contractor for extra-contractual work requested by the general contractor. (2014)
- Scope of Education Contract: Mark's client was awarded summary judgment finding that a basketball coach's coaching duties were separate and distinct from its teaching contract. This ruling was affirmed on appeal by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. (2006)
- Electric Contact Case: Mark successfully settled a lawsuit for an electric utility provider alleging negligence on the part of the provider, which led to contact with live utility lines. The settlement was for approximately 33% of the damages alleged by the plaintiff. (2011)
- Motor Vehicle Accident: Mark was part of a trial team that obtained a $0 defense verdict in Jones County Circuit Court following a week-long jury trial concerning damages from a motor vehicle accident. On his recommendation, Mark's client had admitted fault for the accident prior to trial; therefore, the sole issue at trial was the amount of damages caused by the accident, if any. (2012)
News
Speaking Engagements
Credentials
Education
- Mississippi College School of Law, J.D., 2002, cum laude
- Huntingdon College, B.A., 1998, Management, History Minor
Courts
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Mississippi, 2002
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Mississippi, 2002
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, 2002
Bar Admissions
- Mississippi, 2002
- Tennessee, 2002
- Alabama, 2004
Professional Affiliations
- Mississippi Bar Association
- Harrison County Bar Association
- Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association
- DRI - Lawyers Representing Business
- Mississippi School Board Association
Awards & Accolades
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants, Workers' Compensation Law - Employers, 2023-present
Community Involvement
- Trinity United Methodist Church
- Make-a-Wish Foundation, Board of Directors
- Gulfport Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors
- Boy's & Girls Club - Forrest Heights Center, Board of Directors