Prior to joining Vela Wood, Mark worked as an associate at Haynes and Boone as an investment funds attorney in their Investment Management practice group. During his time at Haynes and Boone, Mark worked with investment managers to structure, launch, and operate private funds across a range of asset classes.
Mark is deeply committed to service. He sits on the Associate Board of C.A.R.E., a Dallas nonprofit focused on education, prevention, and recovery support for individuals and families affected by addiction; serves on the Duke Law Alumni Association Board of Directors; and is a board member of Heart House, a Dallas nonprofit supporting refugee and under-resourced children through education and enrichment programs.
Mark graduated from Duke Law School in Durham, North Carolina, where he participated in the Innocence Project and was a founding member of the Duke Immigrant and Refugee Project. He graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Columbia University in New York City with a B.A. in Political Science. Prior to college and law school, Mark spent six years as a personal trainer and fitness group instructor specializing in kettlebells. He applies his coaching mindset to his legal work, approaching each client relationship with energy, clarity, and purpose.
A Dallas native, Mark has a lifelong love of fitness, travel, and adventure. When he’s not advising clients, he’s probably training for his next swim meet, riding his motorcycle through the country, or reading something by Stephen King. He lives in Dallas with his cat, Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. (aka Ollie), who considers himself the real boss of the household.
Fun Facts:
- Mark once read 15 books in two months.
- He’s read more Stephen King novels than most people have books on their shelves.
- He once swam a race in the Mediterranean off the coast of Sardinia, Italy.
Education:
- Duke University School of Law, J.D.
- Columbia University, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa