Overview
Areas of concentration include all aspects of employment law, ERISA, labor relations, education law and related litigation.
Mark is well-known for his broad experience in legal issues impacting the workplace, including employment law, labor law, ERISA and education law.
He is counsel to numerous educational institutions, including independent schools, colleges, universities, professional training programs and education-related associations. He also serves as counsel to many investment management and private equity firms; banks, and financial institutions; large multi- and single-employer employee benefit plans; healthcare institutions, including nursing homes and home care employers; and a wide variety of other clients.
Mark has served as an instructor at Columbia University Teacher’s College, as a lecturer in the Cornell University ILR School’s Labor Relations Studies Program and is a frequent public speaker and author.
Mark is listed as a leading employment lawyer in The Best Lawyers in America (2008-2023) and as an employee benefits expert in New York Super Lawyers (2006-2023). He was selected by Best Lawyers as:
- 2022 Lawyer of the Year for Employment Law – Management in New York City
- 2020 Lawyer of the Year for Labor Law – Management in New York City
He has also been recognized by Human Resource Executive and Lawdragon as one of the 100 most powerful employment lawyers in America and one of the top 10 in ERISA law. He was also selected by Premier Education Lawyers as the Exclusive Featured Attorney for New York in 2020 and 2021, and by Premier Employment Lawyers as the Exclusive Featured Attorney for New York in 2021.
Mark’s many prestigious awards include:
- The Judge William B. Groat Alumni Award, Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR) – for achievement in the field of industrial relations
- Honoree, Basil Paterson Scholarship Program, 1199SEIU Home Care Education Fund
- Individual Honoree, Cornerstone Award, Lawyers Alliance for New York – for outstanding pro bono service provided to New York nonprofit organizations
- Pro Bono Leadership Award, Lawyers Alliance for New York – first recipient of this award
- Academy of Employee Benefit Authors
He serves on the:
- Board of New York University School of Law’s Center for Labor & Employment Law
- Board of Advisors of the Scheinman Institute for Dispute Resolution
- Board of Trustees of Bard College
- Board of the Montefiore Medical Center as Trustee Emeritus
- Board of the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations (emeritus)
Recognitions
- Best Lawyers in America, Employment Law – Management (2008-2026), Labor Law – Management (2008-2026), Litigation – Labor and Employment, 2008-2026
- “Lawyer of the Year” in Employment Law – Management in New York City, The Best Lawyers in America, 2022
- Exclusive Featured Attorney for New York, Premier Employment Lawyers, 2021
- Exclusive Featured Attorney for New York, Premier Education Lawyers, 2020-2021
- “Lawyer of the Year” in Labor Law – Management in New York City, The Best Lawyers in America, 2020
- New York Super Lawyers, 2006-2024
- Lawyers Alliance for New York – 15-Year Circle Honoree, 2014
- Honoree, Basil Paterson Scholarship Program, 2014 (to provide tuition and support to home care workers pursuing technical or professional healthcare careers), 1199 SEIU Home Care Education Fund
- WHEDco Pro Bono Leadership Award, 2014
- New York State Bar Association Empire State Counsel Honoree, 2013-2014
- “Good Scout” Award, Westchester-Putnam Boy Scouts, 2011
- Chair, Advisory Council, Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations, 2008-2010
- Top 100: The Nation’s Most Powerful Employment Attorneys – Top 10 for ERISA Law, Human Resource Executive 2009 (list chosen by Lawdragon)
- Cornell University ILR School Judge William B. Groat Alumni Award 2008 (for achievement in the field of industrial relations)
- Robert Briscoe Award, The Emerald Isle Immigration Center, 2007
- First Annual Award for Pro Bono Leadership, Lawyers Alliance for New York, 2006
- “Special Recognition Award,” Home Care Council of New York City, 2003
- Cornerstone Award (for outstanding pro bono service to New York nonprofit organizations), Lawyers Alliance for New York, 2003
- “Principal for a Day,” PENCIL, 2000-2003
- “Advocate for the Aging,” Council of Senior Citizens Centers, 1998
- Guide to the World’s Leading Labour and Employment Lawyers, Euromoney, 1997
- Academy of Employee Benefits Authors, 1981
- Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations Lecturer, Labor Relations Studies Program 1980-2004
- Columbia University Teacher’s College Instructor, 1996-2000
Community
American Bar Association
- Section on Labor and Employment Law, Committee on State Law Developments, 1980-2008
- Chairperson, AIDS and other Communicable Diseases Subcommittee, 1989-1994
New York State Bar Association
- Executive Committee, 2002-2008
- Committee on Employee Benefits, 1989-2008; Chair, 2004-08; Co-Chair, 2002-2003
- Labor and Employment Law Section, Committee on Labor Relations Law, 1984-1988
New York City Bar Association
- Committee to Enhance Diversity in the Profession, 1995-2006
- Committee on Minorities in the Profession, 1998-2006
- Task Force on Minorities, 1995-1998
- Committee on Employee Benefits, 1993-1997
- Special Committee on Legal Support Staff, 1992-1995
Boards
- Advisory Board, Labor and Employment Law Program, Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations
- Advisory Council, Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations
- Board of Advisors, Lawyers Alliance for New York
- Board of Advisors, The Martin and Laurie Scheinman Institute on Conflict Resolution at the Cornell University ILR School
- Board of Directors, New York University School of Law, Center for Labor and Employment Law
- Board of Trustees, Bard College
- Trustee Emeritus, Montefiore Health System Inc.
- Cornell University Council
Membership Associations
- Education Law Association
- National Association of College and University Attorneys
- National Association of Independent Schools
- National Business Officers Association
- Cornell University Council
- Life Member
Credentials
Education
New York University School of Law, LLM
New York University School of Law, JD
Cornell University, BS
Admissions
New York
Courts/Agencies
US Supreme Court
US District Court, Western District of New York
US District Court, Eastern District of New York
US District Court, Southern District of New York
Prior Experience
Co-head, Employment and ERISA Department, Chadbourne & Parke, 1986-1998
