Mark is co-chairperson of the firm’s Employment and Labor practice team. Mark helps his employer clients avoid disputes through preventative practices, policies and training, and advocates for them in litigation when disputes cannot be avoided.  

Capabilities

Biography

Mark practices employment law and commercial litigation in matters before state and federal courts, the Utah Labor Commission and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He was recognized by the Utah State Bar as the 2018 Labor & Employment Attorney of the Year. Mark litigates cases involving complex factual and legal matters, including employment discrimination, harassment and retaliation, breach of fiduciary duty, covenants not to compete, solicit, or disclose confidential information, interference with contract, trade secrets and defamation. Mark has tried cases before state and federal courts and before the Adjudication Division of the Utah Labor Commission. He has also argued cases to the Utah Supreme Court, the Utah Court of Appeals and to the United States Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Most importantly, Mark helps his clients avoid litigation by daily counseling on employment law problems, developing preventative practices and policies and providing regular inhouse training.

Mark is an experienced independent investigator. He has conducted dozens of fact investigations involving matters of alleged harassment and abuse, discrimination and retaliation. Mark regularly trains HR professionals and others on how to conduct effective investigations.

Mark also volunteers as the Director of Legal Affairs for the Utah SHRM State Council and as Co-Director of Legal Affairs for Salt Lake SHRM. Mark is a regular presenter at SHRM events and provides a monthly Ask a Lawyer webinar for members of Salt Lake SHRM.

Experience

Lobbying Efforts for Workplace Violence Protection

Represented client in pro bono lobbying efforts for House Bill regarding workplace violence protection. Overcoming initial opposition, the bill ultimately passed unanimously in March 2023.

FMLA and ERISA

Represented employer in connection with claims filed by former employee alleging violation of FMLA and ERISA; federal court substantially narrowed the case at the summary judgment stage and case now is pending trial.

Non-Compete Settlement

Represented company and its senior sales representative in connection with lawsuit filed by the sales representative's former employer alleging breach of noncompete agreement; achieved a favorable outcome.

Accomplishments

Academic

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (J.D., with honors, 2004)

Weber State University (B.S., summa cum laude, Economics, 2001)

Professional

Utah Business Magazine's Utah Legal Elite, Labor and Employment

Recognized in Chambers USA, Labor & Employment - Utah

Mountain States Super Lawyers (Employment & Labor)

Business Today's "Top 10 Labor & Employment Lawyers Impacting Utah's Business Landscape"

2015 "Outstanding Mentor Award," Utah State Bar

Associations

Professional

Member, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

Director of Legal Affairs, Utah State SHRM Council

Co-Director of Legal Affairs, Salt Lake Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

Community

Weber State University Business Advisory Council

Insights

Articles

Presentations

Credentials

Licensed

Utah
Idaho
Wyoming

Education

University of North Carolina School of Law