Lawyers Who Put You First
Biography
Mark is a seasoned trial lawyer with over 35 years of experience, who has successfully represented clients throughout Wisconsin. He limits his practice to civil litigation -- primarily negligence and tort-based claims. The bulk of Mark's practice is insurance defense, which includes the defense of individuals, municipalities and businesses who have been sued. He is also regularly hired to serve as a mediator in a variety of civil litigation disputes, and handles select plaintiff's personal injury claims.
Mark has been board certified in Civil Trial Law since 1997 by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Trial law board certification is a comprehensive evaluation that officially recognizes extensive education, training, courtroom and trial experience. Certified trial lawyers undergo a thorough screening, including documentation of trial experience, recommendations by judges and attorneys familiar with their skills, and successful completion of a written examination. Mark has also been board certified in Civil Pretrial Practice Law since that certification was first offered in 2012. Pretrial Practice law certification recognizes attorneys with significant litigation experience and expertise in conducting discovery, preparing and arguing pretrial motions, and settling cases at mediation or before trial.
Additionally, Mark has been selected numerous times for inclusion in Wisconsin Super Lawyers. To be so designated, each nominee is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and verified professional achievement. Selections are made annually, and only five percent of the attorneys in Wisconsin are selected for designation as Super Lawyers.
Mark was also honored with an AV Preeminent rating through Martindale-Hubbell, based upon peer reviews by other lawyers and judges familiar with his work. AV is the highest rating for professional ethics and legal ability. It is granted to fewer than eight percent of attorneys.
Education
- University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
- J.D. - 1985
- University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
- B.A. - 1982
- Honors: cum laude
Past Positions
- Zalewski, Klinner & Kramer, LLP, Trial Attorney, 2001 to 2014
- Sandfort, Zalewski & Klinner, LLP, Trial Attorney, 1998 to 2000
- Terwilliger, Wakeen, Piehler & Conway, SC, Trial Attorney, 1988 to 1998
- Rogers & Bremer, Trial Attorney, 1985 to 1988
Professional Associations
- State Bar of Wisconsin, 1985 - present
- Wisconsin Defense Counsel, 1988 - present
- Marathon County Bar Association, 1985 - present
Certified Legal Specialties
- Civil Trial Law, National Board of Trial Advocacy, 1997 - present
- Civil Pretrial Practice Law, National Board of Pretrial Practice Advocacy, 2012 - present
Current Employment Position
- Partner
Practice Areas
- Insurance Defense
- Municipal Liability Defense
- Personal Injury Defense
- Personal Injury Plaintiff
- Mediation
- General Civil Litigation
Bar Admissions
- Wisconsin, 1985
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin, 1985
- U.S. District Court Western District of Wisconsin, 1985
- U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 1985
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1997
Honors
- Selected for inclusion in Wisconsin Super Lawyers, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
- AV Preeminent Rating in Martindale-Hubbell, 2015 - present
- Charter Fellow, American College of Board Certified Attorneys (ACBCA), 2013 - present