• Southwest Missouri State University, B.S., cum laude, 1976
• University of Missouri Columbia School of Law, J.D., 1979
• Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, LL.M., 1984

• Fellow, College of Commercial Arbitrators (2018-Present)
• Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (2018 to Present)
• Fellow, College of Labor and Employment Law (2008)
• State Bar of Texas
  • Director (2002-2005)
  • Chair, Labor and Employment Law Section (1998-1999)
  • Chair, Litigation Section Council (2012-2018)
• Texas Bar Foundation
  • Board Chair, (2008-2009)
  • Fellows Chair, (2019-2020)
• Dallas Bar Foundation
  • Chair (2010)
  • Board of Trustees (2002-2010)
• Dallas Bar Association
  • President (2001)
  • Vice President (1998) and Board Chair (1997)
  • Chair, Labor and Employment Law Section (1994)
• American Board of Trial Advocates
• Trustee, The Center for American and International Law Research (2012 – Present)
• President, Dallas Association of Young Lawyers (1986)
• M5M Foundation Board
  • Vice-Chair (2016-present)

Awards:

• Dan Rugeley Price Award, Texas Bar Foundation (2018)
• Justinian Award, Dallas Bar Foundation (2016)
• Judge Sam Williams Local Bar Leadership Award (2005-2006)
• Award of Excellence, DAYL Foundation (2006)
• Board of Directors Award, Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity (2013)
• Outstanding Service Award, Dallas Breakfast Group (2006-2010)
• Pro Bono Service Award, Dallas Volunteer Attorney Project (2002)
• Outstanding Member, East Dallas Chamber of Commerce (1998, 2010)

Mark Shank formerly had a busy commercial ligation and labor and employment law practice before becoming a full-time ADR professional. During that time, he served in law firm management at three different firms, including as managing partner for several years. He has been an arbitrator and mediator for over 20 years helping resolve hundreds of disputes involving all areas of litigation. For 10 years Mark was an adjunct professor, teaching employment law and law office management at SMU Law School.  He has also done several investigations of alleged wrongful workplace conduct.  He has testified as an expert witness on workplace issues and recovery of attorney fees.  In addition to being named to the Texas Chapter of NADN, Mark has been named a Fellow in the College of Commercial Arbitrators.

Mark currently lives in Spicewood, Texas (home of Willie Nelson) when he is not at his office in Dallas.   Mark is an avid barefoot water skier, where he competes on a national level and serves as the Chair of the World Barefoot Council Rules Committee.  He has also been asked to Chair the Grievance Committee of the USA Water Ski and Wake Sports Association.

Panel Service:

• American Arbitration Association
• International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR) Panel of Distinguished Neutrals
• Texas Chapter of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals
• American Health Law Association
• Qualified Alternative Dispute Resolution Provider, State of Texas
• Texas Department of Insurance, Independent Dispute Resolution Panel of Arbitrators and Mediators
• Dispute Resolution Services Panel

Please email for details (mark.shank@diamondmccarthy.com).