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

  • Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority | Employment Strategies for Individuals with a Criminal Record
    July 28, 2018

Recognition