Mark has a general practice, including but not limited to Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning and Probate (wills, powers of attorney, living wills, trusts, decedent's estates, guardianships and conservatorships, and trust administration), Real Estate, and Corporate Law (small business representation, including corporations and limited liability companies). He chairs the Whitfield & Eddy Estate Planning and Probate Group, is active in the Probate Section of the Iowa State Bar Association, and speaks regularly on the subjects of estate planning and probate. Mark has successfully planned for medium to very large estates, resolved complicated and potentially expensive family disputes and tax issues, and protected families and small businesses from various legal problems.
Of Particular Note:
· AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell
· Selected for inclusion in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, 2011 Edition, as a Leading Individual Lawyer in Real Estate.
Work Experience:
· Chair: Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C. Estate Planning, Probate and Tax Planning Practice Group
· Member with Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C. since 2001
· City Council Member: Ankeny, Iowa, 1998-2001
· Attorney in solo practice, Mark R. Gray, Esq., Ankeny, Iowa, 1993-2001
· Partner with Maggert & Gray, Ankeny, Iowa, 1989-1993
· Practiced law in Chicago, Illinois, 1986-1989
Professional Activities and Affiliations:
· American Bar Association
· Des Moines Estate Planners
· Iowa State Bar Association (Sections: General Practice; Probate & Trust Law; Real Estate & Title Law; Chair: General Practice Section, 1996-1997; Editor: General Practice Section Newsletter, 1990-2004; General Practice Section Council, Classes of 1993-present)
· Polk County Bar Association
· Chair: Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C. Estate Planning, Probate and Tax Planning Practice Group
· Member with Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C. since 2001
Selected Publications, Presentations and Teaching Appointments:
· Presenter, University of Iowa College of Law, "Practical Strategies for Avoiding Ethical Grievances and Legal Malpractice Claims When Serving as Attorney for a Fiduciary", November 11, 2011.
· Presenter, Iowa Association for Justice, "Probate: Nuts & Bolts", November 10, 2011.
· Presenter, "Maintaining an Ethical Balance in Probate Practice", "Determining if Spouse's Elective Share is a Reasonable Option", and "Uncovering the Laws of Intestacy and How They May Apply", The Probate Process From A to Z Seminar, National Business Institute, Des Moines, Iowa, October, 12, 2011.
· Presenter, Iowa Association for Justice, "Basic Skills Course for Newly Admitted Attorneys", November 5, 2010.
· Presenter, "Maintaining an Ethical Balance in Probate Practice", "Determining if Spouse's Elective Share is a Reasonable Option", and "Uncovering the Laws of Intestacy and How They May Apply", The Probate Process From Start to Finish Seminar, National Business Institute, Des Moines, Iowa, October, 18, 2010.
· Presenter, "How to Bill", and "Probate Law Update", 2010 Solo and Small Conference, Iowa State Bar Association, August, 2010.
· Presenter, "Death Tax is Far From Dead," Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C. and Gilbert & Cook, DK, Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny, Iowa, April 24, 2010.
· Presenter, "Estate Planning with Blended Families and Prenuptial Agreements," Solo and Small Firm Conference, Iowa State Bar Association, Honey Creek Resort, Iowa, July 23, 2009.
· Presenter, "Estate Planning Primer," Bridge the Gap Conference, Iowa State Bar Association, Des Moines, Iowa, May 7, 2009.
· Presenter, "Planning with Prenuptial Agreements," Iowa State Bar Association Probate Section, Perry, Iowa, October 17, 2008.
· Presenter, "Ethical Issues in Estate Planning," Estate Planning Basics Seminar, National Business Institute, Des Moines, Iowa, September 20, 2007.
· Presenter, "Will Preparation," Bridge the Gap Conference, Iowa State Bar Association, Des Moines, Iowa, May 4, 2007.
· Presenter, "Non-Spouse Rollovers," Des Moines Estate Planners, Des Moines, Iowa, March 5, 2007.
· Presenter, "Revocable Trust: Spousal Share and Homestead," Mid-Iowa Estate and Financial Planners, Des Moines, Iowa, January 16, 2007.
· Presenter, "The Probate Process From Start to Finish in Iowa," National Business Institute, Inc., Des Moines, Iowa, October 19, 2006.
· Presenter, "Revocable Trust: Spousal Share and Homestead," Iowa State Bar Association Solo and Small Firm Conference, Ames, Iowa, September 15, 2006.
· Presenter, "Estate Planning Basics," National Business Institute, Inc., Des Moines, Iowa, November 17, 2009, September 12, 2006.
· Presenter, "Ethics," Iowa State Bar Association General Practice Section Golf Outing and Ethics Seminar, Des Moines, Iowa, July 2006.
· Presenter, "Probate," People's Law School sponsored by the Iowa State Bar Association, Des Moines, Iowa, May 2, 2006.
· Presenter, "Revocable Trust: Spousal Share and Homestead," Des Moines Estate Planners, Des Moines, Iowa, April 3, 2006.
· Presenter, "How to Draft Effective Wills and Trusts for Your Clients in Iowa," National Business Institute, Inc., July 27, 2005.
· Presenter, "The Probate Process from Start to Finish in Iowa," National Business Institute, Inc., October 19, 2006, October 2004, August 2003, February 2002.
· Presenter, "Iowa Probate: Beyond the Basics," National Business Institute, Inc., May 2004.
· Presenter, "Advanced Estate Planning Techniques in Iowa," National Business Institute, Inc., February 2004.
Civic and Volunteer Activities:
· Ankeny Economic Development Corporation, 2008-present
· Ankeny Chamber of Commerce (Public Affairs Committee, 2005-present)
· Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (Human Resources Committee 2010 - 2012)
· Ankeny Sports Booster Club (1997-present)
· Metro Waste Authority (Board of Directors, 1998-2001)