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 graduated from Wake Forest University, where I served as President of the Student Government and student member of the Board of Trustees. I obtained a masters degree in Government at the University of Essex in England as a Rotary Foundation Scholar. 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.

For over 35 years, I represented individuals and families in negligence cases. I served as State Chair of the American College of Trial Lawyers (2017-19) and President of the North Carolina Bar Association and the North Carolina Bar Foundation (2020-21). 

I’ve been recognized by Best Lawyers in America and included in Super Lawyers Top 100 Attorneys in North Carolina. I served on the Ethics Committee of the North Carolina State Bar.

Currently, I serve as Chair of the Board of Visitors of the Wake Forest University School of Divinity. I also volunteer with pro bono legal clinics and received the 2025 Thorp Pro Bono Service Award.

My wife, Joanna, and I live in Raleigh and have four adult children and one grandchild. We worship at Church on Morgan in downtown Raleigh. I serve in our church’s prison ministry. Joanna and I enjoy mentoring through Aprendo, an after school reading program for Latino students.