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Building relationships is an important part of what I do. I’m able to cross cultural divides and connect with people from many different backgrounds. I get to know people at a personal level because it allows me to help them by understanding their interests, family involvements, time commitments, and other components of their lives. Cases come and go, but it’s the experience with the people you serve that you remember the most.

Primary Practice:

The recipient of numerous awards and distinctions for both his litigation practice and community service work, Mark Surprenant takes the lead counsel role on several very significant, high-profile environmental toxic torts and products liability cases in a number of states. On a daily basis he deals with cutting-edge endocrine disruption issues and the intricate science behind it. His work in this practice area has enhanced the firm’s reputation on a regional and national level.

As Mark transitions into his new role as counsel for the firm, he continues to share his deep knowledge with other lawyers and helps them develop business and cultivate client relationships. In concert with the firm’s strong commitment to pro bono work and community outreach, Mark serves as its Pro Bono Paladin and devotes a great deal of his time to providing no-cost legal services to those in need. Mark’s dedication to volunteerism and community service stretches back many years. In 1988, he created H.U.G.S. (Hope, Understanding, Giving, Support)—the firm’s corporate philanthropy program—and in 2000 he established Caring Adams & Reese Employees (CA&RE), the firm’s official pro bono program.

Mark is the co-founder of SOLACE, Inc. (Support of Lawyers/Legal Personnel All Concern Encouraged), a statewide volunteer organization with approximately 17,000 members in Louisiana, plus chapters in more than 35 states. SOLACE primarily reaches out to assist those in the legal community who have experienced some significant, potentially life-changing event in their lives.

Mark is a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers’ Access to Justice and Legal Services Committee and its Access to Justice Distinguished Pro Bono Fellows Committee which he was instrumental in starting. He also currently serves pro bono as a New Orleans Civil Service Commissioner, representing Loyola University New Orleans on the Commission.

A former adjunct law school professor for many years, Mark developed the habit of keeping up on issues to stay ahead of his law students. In addition to being a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers, he is also a member of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel and the International Association of Defense Counsel for which he published an article on significant environmental toxic tort and endocrine disruption issues.

“ I enjoy an excellent working relationship with my clients. I try to remain extremely sensitive to their needs both from a business and personal standpoint. ”

Education

  • Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, J.D., 1977
  • Fordham University, B.A., 1973

Bar Admissions

  • Louisiana
  • Texas
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Areas of Practice

Acknowledgements

  • AV® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Best Lawyers® - Commercial Litigation, Environmental Law, Litigation - Environmental, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants Since 2005
  • New Orleans Pro Bono Project - Outstanding Volunteer
  • Louisiana Super Lawyers® (by Thomson Reuters) – Products Liability, Environmental, Class Action & Mass Torts, 2007-2019, 2021-2024
  • Louisiana Appleseed, Community Justice Honoree, 2024
  • American College of Trial Lawyers Access to Justice Distinguished Pro Bono Fellow, 2021
  • New Orleans' Top Lawyers, New Orleans Magazine, 2020
  • St. Ives Award, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, 2020
  • Louisiana State Bar Association, Pro Bono Century Award, 2015, 2016, 2019
  • St. Elizabeth’s Guild Hall of Fame Activist, 2018
  • New Orleans Chapter of the Federal Bar Association President’s Award, 2017
  • Best Lawyers® (by Levine Leichtman Capital Partners) Lawyer of the Year - Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, 2017
  • Louisiana State Bar Association President's Award, 1996 and 2016
  • Leadership in Law - New Orleans CityBusiness, 2015
  • David A. Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award, Louisiana State Bar Association, 2014
  • Glass Honoree Award, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, 2014
  • Pro Bono Award, Legal Services Corporation, 2013
  • William Reece Smith, Jr. Special Services Pro Bono Award, National Association of Pro Bono Professionals, 2013
  • Distinguished Donor Award, The Pro Bono Project, 2012
  • Loving Cup Award, The Times-Picayune, 2012
  • Friend of Pro Bono Award, The Pro Bono Project, 2011
  • New Orleans Bar Association Presidents' Award 2010
  • New Orleans Chapter Federal Bar Association Camille F. Gravel, Jr. Pro Bono Award 2008
  • Louisiana State Bar Association Leah Hipple McKay Memorial Award for Volunteerism 2008
  • Young Leadership Council of New Orleans Role Model of the Year 2008
  • East Jefferson Hospital - Great Gentleman 2007

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

  • American College of Trial Lawyers, Access to Justice Distinguished Pro Bono Fellows Committee (Chair), Access to Justice and Legal Services Committee (Past Chair), Emil Gumpert Award Committee (Former Chair), Louisiana State Committee (Former Chair).
  • LSBA Access to Justice Distinguished Pro Bono Fellows Program, Former Chair
  • LSBA Community Action Committee, Former Chair
  • LSBA Modest Means Committee, Former Chair
  • LSBA Access to Justice Developing Leadership Internship Committee, Former Chair
  • LSBA Re-Entry Committee, Former Chair
  • Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, Advisory Committee, Former President and Chair, Board of Directors
  • The New Orleans Pro Bono Project, Former Board Chair
  • St. Andrew's Village, Board of Directors, Secretary/Treasurer
  • Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, Visiting Committee, 1994-present
  • Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, Adjunct Professor, Environmental Toxic Torts, 2010-2014
  • Loyola University New Orleans College of Law Alumni, President, 1984-1985
  • Loyola University New Orleans Alumni Association, President, 1986-1987
  • Loyola University New Orleans College of Law President’s Council, 1991-1995
  • New Orleans Mission, Impact Committee
  • Louisiana Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program, President and Chair, 2015-2018
  • SOLACE, Inc., President
  • St. Vincent DePaul Society Good Shepherd Parish, Board of Directors
  • Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel
  • International Association of Defense Counsel
  • Southwest Educational Development Laboratory, President, 1986-1987
  • New Orleans Association of Defense Counsel, Chair 1988-1989
  • New Orleans Bar Association, President, 2013-2014
  • Chamber of Commerce, New Orleans and River Region, Education Committee Chair, 1979
  • Greater New Orleans Athletic League, President, 1984
  • New Orleans Bar Foundation, Vice-President, 2018-2019
  • Ed Blewer Assistance Foundation, Former Secretary and Board of Directors Member
  • New Orleans Civil Service Commission, Commissioner

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