Profile
Believing that strategic preparation, creative problem solving and communication are the cornerstones to success, Mark approaches each new engagement with these principles at the forefront.
A senior shareholder practicing out of Murphy Pearson’s San Francisco office, Mark also serves as the managing shareholder of the firm’s Employment Practice Group. He advises and represents companies in a broad range of employment matters arising under state and federal law. His practice is primarily devoted to defending employers in connection with claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation and other employment-related claims in state and federal courts and before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and other administrative agencies.
Mark counsels companies of all sizes on strategies for minimizing the risk of employment litigation, as well as assisting emerging businesses with the development of policies, handbooks and executive compensation agreements.
In addition to his employment practice, Mark represents lawyers, real estate professionals and landowners in a broad spectrum of matters ranging from administrative hearings to trials in which multi-million dollars are at stake. Additionally, he has extensive experience in public entity work as well as defending personal injury claims.
Experience
Representative Matters
- Employee v. Restaurant in an Employment Dispute: Defended restaurant client in a trial involving a cook who complained of discrimination based on his sexual orientation, racial discrimination, and battery charges. After a one-month trial, the plaintiff was awarded one dollar in damages for the battery count only. The defendant restaurant received defense verdicts for all other counts.
- Client v. Attorney in a Legal Malpractice Matter: Following a seven-week trial, successfully obtained a defense verdict for his attorney client. The trial was a legal malpractice case involving an underlying matter related to foreclosure, eviction, and moving and storage of personal property. The plaintiffs demanded more than $700,000 in a jury trial, and ultimately the jury found in favor of our defendant clients. The plaintiff took nothing by way of damages.
Unpublished Appellate Decisions
- Garcia, et al. v. Arias Latino Market, Inc., et al., F062504, Court of Appeals of California, Fifth District, October 15, 2012.
Affiliations
- Bar Association of San Francisco
- California Association of Realtors, panel counsel
- YMCA of San Francisco
- High school basketball coach and volunteer
- Board of Directors, former member
- Shih-Yu Lang Central YMCA, former Board of Managers
Recognitions
- Selected for inclusion in Northern California Super Lawyer magazine (2013 – 2019)
- AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell (AV Preeminent is a
Certification Mark used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell®
certification procedures, standards and policies)
Education
J.D., University of California, Hastings College of the Law
B.A., University of California, Berkeley summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa