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 am retired and now volunteer with pro bono clinics, including Disaster
Legal Services clinics across WNC following Hurricane Helene. In 2025, I
received the Thorp Pro Bono Service Award from the North Carolina Bar
Association and the John B. McMillan Distinguished Service Award from 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 at Central Prison, helping lead worship and Bible study for men on Death Row through my church's prison ministry.

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 and enjoy reading with Hispanic students through the Neighbor to Neighbor Aprendo mentoring program.