Mark is a trial lawyer with more than 30 years of experience and his practice focuses on commercial litigation, product liability, and insurance coverage litigation.
Mark has extensive experience representing product manufacturers, product retailers, and utility companies in litigation matters in both state and federal courts. Additionally, in conjunction with his litigation work, Mark advises public housing authorities and other public entities on contract, procurement and regulatory issues, and on disclosure and related issues under the Freedom of Information Act.
Mark previously served as Head of the firm’s Litigation Section for 18 years, and now devotes substantial time to serving as the General Counsel for Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black in addition to his work for other clients.
Mark has served as president of the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys, the leading statewide bar organization for attorneys dedicated to the defense of civil actions, and has been inducted into the Virginia Law Foundation.
An experienced trial lawyer who has tried numerous cases to verdict, Mark is listed in Best Lawyers in America and is a three-time Best Lawyers’ Lawyer of the Year for Roanoke, Virginia. Chambers & Partners recognizes him as one of Virginia’s leading commercial litigators, including being named to Chambers’ Leaders in Their Field list. Mark holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review rating. He is also a Virginia Super Lawyer.
His pro bono work includes serving as Chancellor of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia.
Thought Leadership
Publications
Virginia Law and Practice: A Handbook for Attorneys (2020), Co-author
Representative Matters
Nautilus Ins. Co. v. Appalachian Power Co., 2021 WL 1321319 (W.D. Va., April 8, 2021)
Evans v. Nacco Materials Handling Group, Inc., 295 Va. 235, 810 S.E.2d 462 (2018)
Sparks v. New Millennium Building Systems, LLC, 100 Va. Cir. 361, 2018 WL 9880305 (Roanoke Co. Cit. Ct., November 28, 2018)
Medical Mut. Ins. Co. of North Carolina v. Image Guided Pain Management, P.C., 2014 WL 1599938 (W.D. Va., April 21, 2014)
Nautilus Ins. Co. v. Strongwell Corp., 968 F. Supp.2d 807 (W.D. Va. 2013)
Titan Atlas Mfg. Inc. v. Sisk, 2012 WL 5494459 (W.D. Va., Nov. 13, 2012)
Copp v. Nationwide Mut. Ins. Co., 279 Va. 675, 692 S.E.2d 220 (2010)
Reaves v. Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority, 2009 WL 500518 (W.D. Va., February 25, 2009)
Baker v. Poolservice Co., 272 Va. 677, 636 S.E.2d 360 (2006)
Attorney Perspectives
Speaking Engagements
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Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority | Employment Strategies for Individuals with a Criminal Record
July 28, 2018
Recognition
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Best Lawyers in America Recognizes 70 WRVB Attorneys
August 17, 2023 -
Twelve WRVB Attorneys Named “Lawyer of the Year” for Roanoke and Norfolk
August 17, 2023 -
Four WRVB Attorneys Named to 2023 Pro Bono Honor Roll List
June 7, 2023 -
Seven WRVB Attorneys and Three Practice Groups Ranked by Chambers USA
June 1, 2023 -
Thirty-Seven WRVB Attorneys Named to 2023 Virginia Super Lawyers and Rising Stars List
May 1, 2023 -
70 WRVB Attorneys Named to 2022 “Legal Elite”
November 29, 2022 -
WRVB Attorneys Make Major Showing in Best Lawyers in America
August 16, 2022 -
Six Woods Rogers Attorneys and Three Practice Groups Ranked by Chambers USA
June 1, 2022 -
Eighteen Woods Rogers Attorneys Named to 2022 Virginia Super Lawyers or Rising Stars Lists
May 5, 2022 -
26 Woods Rogers Attorneys Named “Legal Elite” or “Rising Stars”
December 1, 2021 -
Forty-four Woods Rogers Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers for 2022
August 19, 2021 -
Six Woods Rogers Attorneys and Two Practice Groups Ranked by Chambers USA
May 24, 2021 -
Sixteen Woods Rogers Attorneys Are 2021 Virginia Super Lawyers or Rising Stars
May 6, 2021 -
31 Woods Rogers Attorneys Listed as “Legal Elite” and “Rising Stars”
November 30, 2020 -
Forty-one Woods Rogers Attorneys Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America for 2021
August 20, 2020 -
Six Woods Rogers Attorneys Ranked by Chambers USA
April 27, 2020 -
Thirty-nine Woods Rogers Attorneys Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America for 2020
August 16, 2019 -
Six Woods Rogers Attorneys Named a Roanoke Lawyer of the Year
August 15, 2019 -
Five Woods Rogers Attorneys Recognized by Chambers USA
May 24, 2019 -
Thirty-nine Woods Rogers Attorneys Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America
August 16, 2018 -
Twenty-three Woods Rogers attorneys awarded honors by Virginia Super Lawyers Magazine
April 20, 2018 -
Twenty-four Woods Rogers Attorneys Named by Virginia Business as 2017 “Legal Elite”
December 1, 2017 -
Six Woods Rogers Attorneys Are a Roanoke Lawyer of the Year As Recognized by Best Lawyers in America
August 15, 2017 -
Thirty-six Woods Rogers Attorneys Are Recognized by Best Lawyers in America
August 15, 2017 -
Chambers USA Guide Recognizes Three Woods Rogers Attorneys and Two Practice Areas
June 13, 2017 -
Twenty-one Woods Rogers attorneys awarded honors by Virginia Super Lawyers Magazine
May 1, 2017