About Us

Mark has extensive experience with university discipline procedures and Title IX investigations.  Mark co-founded and served as the Student Advocate General of the Office of the Student Advocate at U.C. Santa Barbara, whereby he was responsible for creating awareness of discrimination on campus and advocating the rights of survivors of sexual assault and others facing discrimination.  At the same time, he has defended countless university students accused of violating conduct codes and Title IX.
Mark's practice as a litigation and education attorney, as well as his experience with university discipline from the perspective of the accused and survivors, makes him well suited to serve as a Title IX independent attorney investigator for universities and colleges.  His goal is to reduce the costs and potential liability of universities and colleges through standardization, fairness and best practices.  Mark also seeks to serve these institutions as a source for all of their student discipline and Title IX needs, including training, auditing, forensic examinations, and related counseling.

Mark's experience also allows him to represent student organizations, fraternities and sports teams in court and before university tribunals.  He can assist organizations in matters related to hazing, assault, harassment, serving alcohol to minors, and other similar violations. 

History
Mark's involvement with university discipline procedures began more than 10 years ago when he co-founded the Office of the Student Advocate at UC Santa Barbara.  As the Student Advocate General, Mark was responsible for advocating on behalf of survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and discrimination, while also representing the rights of students accused of university student conduct code violations and academic dishonesty.

As an attorney, Mark re-entered the world of university and college discipline just as a paradigm shift was underway.  The U.S. Office of Civil Rights determined that universities and colleges receiving federal money (nearly all of them) were obligated to address sex based crimes (i.e. rape, sexual assault, stalking, domestic violence) as subject to Title IX's umbrella.  Eager to become involved in the field again, Mark immediately began volunteering for the A.S. UC Riverside Legal Clinic.  Mark is the panel  attorney dedicated to counseling students accused of Title IX violations, as well as academic dishonesty and those violating the university's student conduct code.

Based on Mark's extensive experience and the studies, findings and recommended best practices advocated by his practitioner colleagues, related government agencies, and scholars, Mark advocates the use of independent attorneys by universities and colleges conducting Title IX investigations.

Education
University of California, Santa Barbara
B.A., honors
University of California, Hastings College of the Law
J.D., cum laude