Overview

Mark’s practice is concentrated in the areas of workers’ compensation defense and subrogation.  He has defended all types of workers’ compensation cases, including asbestos and other complex disease and injury cases and appeals.  He has also defended cases in North Carolina’s state and federal courts in the areas of toxic torts, premises liability, trade secrets, personal injury, and criminal law. Mark has served as a supervising attorney with the Wake Forest University School of Law Civil and Criminal Externship Clinic since 2006. He has authored manuscripts and conducted presentations for various continuing legal education and private client seminars, and has contributed to the drafting of several bills passed by the North Carolina legislature in the area of workers’ compensation.

Honors & Recognitions

  • North Carolina Super Lawyers® (2020)
  • Martindale-Hubble Distinguished® (2010-2017)

Professional & Civic Associations

  • North Carolina Bar Association, Workers' Compensation Section
    • Section Council, Vice Chair (2020-2021)
    • Section Council, Legislative Committee Co-Chair (2013-2019)
  • North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys
    • Board of Directors (2015-2018)
    • Workers’ Compensation Section, Chair (2014-2015)
  • Wake Forest School of Law Civil and Criminal Externship Clinic (various semesters, 2006 forward)
  • Forsyth County Bar Association
  • SciWorks, Board of Directors (1999-2007); Board President (2005-2007)

About Me

Mark is married to Heather Leach, and they have two children, Emma and David. His interests include playing piano and guitar.

Representative Matters

Representative Matters

  • Rawie v. McKenney's, Inc., I.C No. Y09654 (2013). Presented testimony from a forensic document expert to show that the plaintiff tendered a falsified medical record as evidence.  The Commission set aside the defendants' Form 60 acceptance of the claim, denied the claim, and referred the matter to its fraud section.
  • Hairston v. Onin Staffing, LLC, I.C. No. 098799 (2010). After dismissing the plaintiff's claim, the Commission entered a "gatekeeper order," requiring the plaintiff to satisfy certain conditions before filing any future claim, motion, or other petition before the North Carolina Industrial Commission.  The conditions include the payment of costs and attorney's fees, and that the grounds for any new filing be certified by a licensed North Carolina attorney.
  • Other representative defense verdicts include:
    • Singleton v. Environmental Air Systems, LLC, I.C. Nos. 15-734795 and 15-734799 (2016). Alleged facet syndrome and bilateral avascular necrosis of the hips.
    • Harvey v. Kisco Senior Living, LLC, I.C. No. X39900 (2012). Alleged injuries to the legs, arms, back, and neck.
    • Sweeney v. South Sea Rattan Collection, I.C. No. 436623 (2006). NC Workers’ Comp. LEXIS 11 (NC Indus. Comm’n Jan. 25, 2006) Depression and mental illness.
  • "Justice is itself the great standing policy of civil society; and any eminent departure from it, under any circumstances, lies under the suspicion of being no policy at all."
  • Edmund Burke

Practice Emphasis

  • Workers' Compensation Defense Litigation
  • Asbestos Defense Litigation
  • Subrogation

Education

Wake Forest University School of Law

  • J.D., 1996

Binghamton University

  • B.A., Rhetoric and Literature, 1993

Bar & Court Admissions

  • North Carolina, 1996
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
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