Mark S. King

Background

About Mark S. King

I’m a business and IP attorney who thrives where law, strategy, and innovation collide. For 18+ years, I’ve helped companies navigate complex legal and regulatory terrain while building structures that let them scale fast — without tripping over red tape. I’ve served as General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer in fintech and other heavily regulated industries, steering companies through growth, turbulence, and the kind of high-stakes decisions that don’t come with a playbook. I’m licensed in North Carolina, registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and certified as a Compliance Officer (NCCO). But honestly, credentials aren’t the point. My real value comes from having lived on both sides of the legal relationship — as outside counsel and as the client making hard calls under pressure. I know what good legal support looks like when the clock is ticking and the stakes are real. My work has spanned: • Leading legal and compliance for multi-entity organizations with $300MM+ in assets, including oversight of Reg Z, Reg B, RESPA, and UDAAP frameworks. • Structuring and closing strategic transactions across SaaS, fintech, and real estate. • Building compliance and legal infrastructures that keep companies fast on their feet and regulator-proof. • Advising founders and boards on IP strategy, licensing, governance, capital structure, and operational risk. These days, I split my time between hands-on legal work for startups and growth-stage companies and building a practice designed to challenge the traditional law firm model. I have little patience for the billable hour, opaque pricing, or legal advice that reads like it was drafted by a robot with no skin in the game. I approach the practice of law the way founders approach building companies: outcome-focused, allergic to fluff, and not afraid to give the status quo a skeptical look. Whether I’m structuring a critical deal, protecting IP assets, or acting as fractional GC, my goal is simple — give clients the clarity, strategy, and legal firepower they need to grow with confidence.