in Background
Mark is a Seattle divorce, separation, and family law mediator, helping clients reach agreements on financial and parenting issues. Mark grew up in a divorced family, witnessing first-hand the impact of divorce on his parents, siblings, and extended family.
After graduating from college and a stint in the movie theater industry, Mark went to law school. He handled his first divorce cases in the mid-1980s as a law clerk before graduating. After becoming a lawyer in 1987, he represented clients in business, construction, tax, real estate, estate planning, commercial, and family law matters.
Over time, divorce and family law became Mark’s main focus. He became recognized as a skilled and successful trial lawyer and negotiator. As part of his volunteer work, Mark helped write laws and court rules to help divorcing families and taught lawyers and judges about divorce law and negotiation. Mark’s experience includes work on most anything that can arise in divorce, separation, and family law—including complex parenting, real estate, business, and other financial issues.
In 2003, Mark became a pioneer in the Seattle Collaborative Divorce community. He finished his last family law trial in January 2007 to focus full-time on Collaborative Divorce and mediation. In 2020 he retired from all client representation to work only as a mediator.
Current Work
As mediator, Mark helps his clients from as early as the time they first consider to separate. He can help develop short-term and long-term plans to separate and divorce, and help you reach agreements without court intervention or unnecessary acrimony. With his experience, Mark understands the challenges of divorce, and legal and financial factors that may have implications for agreements.
Mark’s approach is to help clients achieve reality-based solutions that are supportive of their long-term goals, needs, and interests. Although Mark is based in Seattle, he offers virtual on-line mediation for people throughout Washington State.
In 2017, Mark obtained Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® certification to better help clients address financial considerations when divorcing. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, which reflects recognition in the area of family law and meeting exacting knowledge and ethics standards. Mark was rated among the “Top 25” Family Law attorneys in Washington by Washington Law & Politics Magazine in 2009, and has received numerous awards and honors, including the 2018 “President’s Award” from Collaborative Professionals of Washington, the 2005 “Attorney of the Year” award from the Family Law Section of the Washington State Bar Association. He has been designated as a “Super Lawyer” by Washington Law and Politics magazine annually since 2007, has the highest possible rating on the website Avvo, is recognized by Best Lawyers in America in 3 distinct areas, and has an “AV” (preeminent) peer-review rating in Martindale-Hubbell.
Mark has taught and written extensively about divorce and about dispute resolution, and has been a contributor to journals and books. Mark lives in Seattle with his wife and loves to ride his bicycle.