Mark is a thorough and thoughtful workplace investigator who has conducted investigations for private and public sector employers ranging from technology startups and large contracting firms to national nonprofits and municipal governments. His investigations have involved employees from the C-suite to the rank and file, and a wide range of serious and sensitive legal and business issues. Mark has conducted investigations involving a range of public safety personnel, including police officers, firefighters, and probation officers, and is therefore familiar with the unique issues involved in public safety investigations.

Prior to joining Van Dermyden Makus, Mark worked as an employment lawyer for two large law firms, Davis Wright Tremaine and Hanson Bridgett, before starting and running his own employment law firm representing both employers and employees. His clients have included Fortune 500 companies, closely-held family businesses, C-suite executives, and numerous public agencies. In addition to investigations work, he has advised employers extensively about complex employment law compliance matters and defended them in employment litigation and arbitration. He has also advised executives, company founders, and professionals about employment law matters related to their own careers, and represented them in claims for wrongful termination, breach of contract, and unpaid wages.

Mark’s experience representing both sides in employment law matters helps him to conduct investigations and reach credible findings without agendas or preconceived notions, and he is comfortable working with senior leaders as both clients and key witnesses. He keeps up to date on contemporary management issues and best practices, helping him to understand the broader workplace culture issues that can arise during investigations.

Mark was selected as a Northern California Super Lawyer for Employment Law in 2020 and 2021. He graduated cum laude from UC College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings) and holds a bachelor’s degree with high distinction from UC Berkeley.

CA State Bar No. 253729