About Mark

I grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina. My dad was a minister. My mom was a teacher. I admired how they helped people through their chosen professions.

I also greatly admired the generous spirit of two lawyers in my church, Jim Nance, Sr. and D.P. Russ. Based on their example, I decided to become a lawyer.

I attended Wake Forest University and served as President of the Student Government and Student Member of the Board of Trustees. I pursued graduate studies as a Rotary Foundation Scholar at the University of Essex in England. I returned home to UNC School of Law and graduated with honors.

In 1987, I began law practice in Raleigh. My mentor, Wade Smith, taught me that every day as a lawyer represents an opportunity to make the world a better place.

I’ve been blessed to represent many special clients during my career, including children who suffered catastrophic injuries. It’s been an honor to champion the cause of these clients in seeking the resources necessary for a lifetime of medical care.

From 2020-21, I served as President of the North Carolina Bar Association and the North Carolina Bar Foundation. I was honored to help lead our statewide association of lawyers, judges, paralegals, and law students as well as the charitable foundation through which our profession serves others.

From 2017-19, I served as State Chair of the North Carolina chapter of the American College of Trial Lawyers, having been inducted as an ACTL Fellow in 2009.

I’ve been recognized in Best Lawyers in America and included in the Super Lawyers Top 100 Attorneys in North Carolina.

I have served on the Ethics Committee of the North Carolina State Bar, the Chief Justice’s Rules Advisory Commission and the Board of Directors of Legal Aid of North Carolina.

In 2023, I was inducted into the International Society of Barristers. I also have served on the Board of Governors of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice. And I am pleased to be included in the 2023 North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society.

My wife, Joanna, and I have four young adult children.  Charles Holt is a graduate of UNC Asheville and a sales development representative. Grace Wells Hefner is a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill and an occupational therapist. Sarah Holt is a graduate of Wake Forest University and works in elementary education. Caroline Wells is a graduate of Appalachian State University and a kindergarten teacher. Our son-in-law, Will Hefner, is a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill and is a financial advisor.

Joanna and I are members of and worship with Church on Morgan in downtown Raleigh. I enjoy serving in our church’s prison ministry. Joanna and I also enjoy mentoring through Aprendo, an after-school reading program for Latino students.