Mark van Valkenburgh

Background

About Mark van Valkenburgh

Mark has been practicing law in Central Florida since 1995 and is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell. His practice is focused on proactively helping public and private employers avoid disputes with employees by ensuring that they have the proper contracts, policies, practices, and well-trained management in place and that, with his help, employers promptly respond to HR issues as they arise. This proactive approach also helps set up a best possible defense in the event an employee or former employee takes legal action. Even with the best policies and practices in place clients sometimes are sued. Mark litigates and has won multiple jury trials in state and federal court. Mark is certified as a mediator by the Florida Supreme Court and for all civil matters and in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Before each mediation, Mark carefully reviews the pleadings and any information submitted to him by the parties and conducts research necessary to be sure that he is fully informed about the parties, the nature of the dispute and the law that will govern the case at trial. He excels at dealing with highly emotional people and establishing strong rapport with all types of individuals. This rapport allows him to credibly challenge the parties’ legal positions, factual contentions and trial expectations thereby effectively moving them toward a voluntary resolution of their dispute. Finally, while he does not consider it work, Mark has taught either Employment Law or a skills course titled Interviewing, Counseling & Problem-Solving to night students at Barry University's School of Law for more than fifteen years.