Mark J. Powell, Esq.
Mark J. Powell has taken a leave of absence from our firm to serve as the elected District Attorney for Lackawanna County.
For more than 25 years, Mark Powell has been standing up for victims of wrongdoing and protecting the rights of his clients, following in the footsteps of his father, Christopher T. Powell, Sr. and grandfather, James Powell Sr. “Both my father and grandfather were trial lawyers in Lackawanna County and they were my heroes.”
“There’s a lot to know to be a great trial lawyer, but for me it’s all about helping people who are going through a tough time and need a lawyer to stand by their side. It’s about giving a voice to the voiceless while upholding our Constitution.”
After graduating from Riverside High School, Mark attended Villanova University where he earned his undergraduate degree and met his future wife, Donna. He went on to Catholic University in Washington, DC. After practicing several years, Mark returned to school and received a Masters of Laws and Trial Advocacy, an advanced academic degree from Temple University in Philadelphia. Mark is the only attorney in Northeastern Pennsylvania to hold a dual certification both as a Criminal Trial Specialist and Civil Trial Specialist from the National Board of Trial Advocacy and have his Masters of Laws degree. As a tireless advocate for victims, Mark received the Lawrence Roth Compassion for Victims award from the Northeast Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers, where he previously served as President.
In addition to his law practice, Mark frequently lectures at Temple Law School and Georgetown Law School for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, teaching lawyers how to try civil and criminal cases. In recognition of his teaching skills, Mark received the National Institute for Trial Advocacy Daniel G. Grove Award, the highest teaching award, for his dedication to the Advanced Trial Advocacy Program in Washington, DC.
Mark is a devoted community leader who is active in several civic organizations and his church. He is President of the Moosic Youth Center and a past President of the Moosic Lions Club where he has been a member for the past 25 years. Mark coached basketball in the community from Bitty Basketball to Assistant High School Varsity Coach. Mark received the Hero of Humanity Award from the Vikings Helping Vikings non-profit organization he helped establish that helps children afford higher education.
Education & Certifications
- Villanova University, Bachelor’s of Arts
- Catholic University Law School, Juris Doctorate
- Temple University Law School, Master of Laws in Trial Advocacy with Honors
- Board Certified as Civil Trial Specialist by National Board of Trial Advocacy, 2006-
- Board Certified as Criminal Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, 2008-
Credentials
- National Trial Lawyers Association Top 100 PA Lawyers, 2011-
- Fellow, The National College of Advocacy, 2015-
- Fellow, The American College of Board Certified Attorneys, 2013-
- Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board, Hearing Committee Member, 1996-02; 2004-10
- Pennsylvania Association for Justice – Member; Board of Governors, 2004-08; 09-13
- Pennsylvania Bar Association – Civil Litigation Counsel, 2011-14; House of Delegates, 2014 – ; Federal Practice Committee, 2014- ; Judicial Evaluation Investigative Division, 2014-
- Northeastern Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association – Member; President, 2002; Recipient, Lawrence W. Roth Award, 2005
- National Institute of Trial Advocacy, Faculty Designation, 2007 – ; Recipient Daniel G. Grove Aware 2016
- Lackawanna Bar Association – Member; Co-Chair, Bench Bar Educational Conference, 1999-06
- Licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and New York
Faculty
- Advanced Trial Skills, National Institute for Trial Advocacy, Washington, D.C., November 2015
- Advanced Trial Skills, NITA, Washington, D.C., November 2014
- Focus Groups, Committee Justice For All, October 2014
- Trial Advocacy Georgetown Law School, NITA, June 2014
- Advanced Trial Skills, Washington, D.C., NITA, November 2013
- Depositions, Temple Law School, NITA, January 2013
- Advanced Trial Skills, Washington, D.C., NITA, October 2012
- Advanced Trial Skills, Washington, D.C., NITA, October 2011
- Depositions, Temple Law School, NITA, January 2011
- Advanced Trial Skills, Washington, D.C., NITA, October 2010
- Expert Witnesses, CJA, September 2010
- Trial Advocacy, Georgetown Law School, NITA, June 2010
- Depositions, Temple Law School, NITA, January 2010
- Advanced Trial Skills, Georgetown Law School, NITA, October 2009
- Auto Law, Pennsylvania Association for Justice, December 2008
- Advanced Trial Skills, Washington, D.C., NITA, October 2008
- Advanced Trial Skills, Georgetown Law School, NITA, October 2007
- Trial Advocacy, Georgetown Law School, NITA, June 2007
- Depositions, Temple Law School, NITA, January 2007
- Trial Advocacy, Georgetown Law School, NITA, June 2006
- Distribution Dilemmas, Course Planner, Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, March 2006
- Depositions, Temple Law School, NITA, January 2006
- Advanced Trial Skills, Georgetown Law School, NITA, October 2005
- Depositions, Georgetown Law School, NITA, August 2005
- Trial Advocacy, Georgetown Law School, NITA, June 2005
- Depositions, Temple Law School, NITA, January 2005
- High-Tech Exhibits, Lackawanna Bar Association, October 2004
- Premises Liability, Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, September 2004
- Depositions, Georgetown Law School, NITA, August 2004
- Depositions, Temple Law School, NITA, January 2004
- Premises Liability, Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, September 2003
- Bad Faith, National Business Institute, May 2001
- Auto Negligence, Lackawanna Bar Association, October 2000
