As a member of the Professional Liability Department, Mark focuses his practice on civil rights, constitutional law and municipal liability.
Mark has represented a number of governmental agencies and municipalities over the years in matters ranging from police excessive force and wrongful arrest cases to premises liability lawsuits. He represents public entities and officials in cases arising under state law, federal civil rights statutes and the Pennsylvania Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act. He has also handled the defense of Homeowner Associations and officers in matters involving challenges to voting procedures, changes to short-term rental policies, employment discrimination and retaliation.
In addition, Mark publishes the Marshall Dennehey Municipal Law newsletter. Mark has experience in the areas of zoning appeals, administrative proceedings, and trial court and appellate practice. He has handled civil rights litigation at the trial court and appellate levels, including experience practicing before the Supreme Court of the United States on multiple occasions. In 2021, Mark was elected Greenfield Township (Lackawanna County) Judge of Election. In 2023, Mark became a certified mediator on the mediator panel for the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania Mediation Program.
Mark received his juris doctor from Michigan State University College of Law in 2010. While in law school, he served as editor-in-chief of the Journal of International Law and as an associate editor of Res Ipsa Loquitor, the College of Law's newspaper. Mark was a member of the Student Bar Association and spoke on several panels at the National Conference of Law Reviews relating to successful management of law reviews, budget considerations and leadership. He also interned for the Lackawanna County District Attorney's Office.
Following law school, Mark served as a law clerk for the Honorable Edwin M. Kosik of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Following his clerkship, Mark began his private legal career with a general civil practice firm in Maryland.
Mark received his Bachelor of Science degree from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania in business administration and majored in marketing and business management. He also completed a minor in political science. While completing his undergraduate degree at Kutztown University, Mark served as president of the Recreational and Sports Club Council and spent four seasons as a defensive player with the lacrosse team.
Honors & awards
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Star
2019-2023
Year joined
2012
CERTIFICATIONS
United States District Court Middle District of Pennsylvania, Certified Mediator
Results
Summary Judgment Affirmed by Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court in Police Pursuit Case
Public Entity & Civil Rights Litigation
November 14, 2023
We were affirmed the granting of summary judgment in favor of our client in a high-speed police pursuit case. The plaintiff was severely injured after a brief police pursuit involving the driver, who died as a result of the pursuit. The plaintiff then sued the local municipality for negligence, arguing that the officers caused the wreck by turning a traffic stop into a high-speed chase.
Defense Obtains Dismissal of a Complex Federal Civil Rights Action
Public Entity & Civil Rights Litigation
May 4, 2023
We obtained the dismissal of a federal civil rights action alleging that a municipality retaliated against a real estate developer after the sale of a large tract of local property.
Successful defense of employer alleged to have violated the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act.
Employment Law
November 1, 2022
The plaintiff sought employment as a fork lift operator in a manufacturing facility. He was extended a conditional offer of employment, contingent on passing a pre-employment drug test. His drug test showed a positive indication for the presence of marijuana, and his offer was rescinded. The plaintiff claimed that he notified the facility that he held a valid Medical Marijuana Identification Card, yet our client still rescinded its offer in violation of the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act.
Defense prevails in case involving a high-speed police pursuit.
Public Entity & Civil Rights Litigation
April 22, 2022
During early morning hours, a vehicle was observed by police officers driving straight through a turning lane. The officers attempted a traffic stop, but the driver took off and led police onto an interstate highway. A high-speed pursuit ensued, reaching speeds in excess of 115 mph. The plaintiff was a passenger in the vehicle. Due to the high speed and an upcoming construction zone, officers broke off the chase. The driver attempted to exit the interstate via an off ramp, but turned too fast and crashed.
Defense verdict for PA Borough and Police Chief following a six-day jury trial.
Public Entity & Civil Rights Litigation
April 22, 2022
The plaintiff, a part-time police officer, alleged that she told her Police Chief that she believed the hiring/promotions of three male police officers to full-time positions were illegal. After that meeting, the plaintiff claimed she was not assigned to higher-paying assignments like the male police officers in the department. She sued the borough and the police chief for First Amendment retaliation under Section 1983, and gender-based discrimination and retaliation pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.
Thought Leadership
Marshall Dennehey Announces 2022 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
May 23, 2022
Thirty-four attorneys across Marshall Dennehey's six Pennsylvania offices have been selected to the 2022 edition of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers magazine.
Classes/Seminars Taught
Civil Rights and the 14th Amendment, Marywood University’s The Courts and Our Community Lecture Series, October 1, 2025
FLSA - Wage and Labor Laws, Northeast Pennsylvania Chapter of Society for Human Resource Management, June 29, 2023
Recruitment and Selection, Northeast Pennsylvania Chapter of Society for Human Resource Management, March 30, 2023
Employment Law Basics: The Basis of OSHA, FLSA, ADA & More, Northeast Pennsylvania Chapter of Society for Human Resource Management, November 17, 2022
Performance Management & Record Retention: Avoiding Discrimination - What is Needed to Make a Hire and be Fired, Northeast Pennsylvania Chapter of Society for Human Resource Management, August 18, 2022
Pay & Benefits: Overtime, Minimum Wage, Compensable Time & Legally Required Benefits, Northeast Pennsylvania Chapter of Society for Human Resource Management, May 19, 2022
Recruitment & Selection: Where to Find Talent & the Do’s/Dont’s of Interviewing, Northeast Pennsylvania Chapter of Society for Human Resource Management, February 17, 2022
Local Government Immunity in Pennsylvania, client seminar, June 8, 2021
Essential Handbook Must-Haves and Updates , National Business Institute, October 18, 2017
Workplace Behavior and Privacy Issues, Human Resource Law: What You Need to Know Now, National Business Institute, December 2016
Hiring/Recruiting, Human Resource Law: What You Need to Know Now, National Business Institute, December 2016
Employment Law: Rights, Benefits, and Emerging Issues, Sterling Education Services, August 2, 2016
Employment Law: Beyond the Basics, Sterling Education Services, August 4, 2015
AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him
or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.
Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely
respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.
Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.
