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EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Mark began his undergraduate education at Harvard University and later graduated from Stanford University (B.S. American Studies). Mark attended the University of San Diego School of Law (J.D., Juris Doctor), where he served as a Comment Editor for the International Law Journal. Mark later returned to his alma mater to serve as an adjunct law professor for the nationally recognized trial advocacy program. (Fun Fact: Mark played baseball at Stanford University, including a trip to the College World Series in 1990. He then played five seasons of professional baseball under contracts with the Florida Marlins, Houston Astros, and Seattle Mariners, before retiring from baseball and heading to law school in 1997. Mark later served as General Manager for a professional baseball team where he handled all contract negotiations for player procurement.)
EARLY CAREER AND SPECIALIZATION
In 2000, Mark started his legal career with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, where he worked in the Central Pretrial Division, Family Protection Division, South Bay Branch, East County Branch, and the Sex Crimes and Human Trafficking Division. As a Deputy District Attorney, Mark specialized in cases involving sexual assault and child molestation, along with civil commitment petitions for individuals classified as Sexually Violent Predators. Mark also handled felonies involving violent crimes such as kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, along with various narcotics offenses. As a Deputy District Attorney, Mark was elected by his peers to serve two terms on the Board of Directors for the San Diego Deputy District Attorneys Association, the organization that represented workers in labor negotiations with the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.
ADVANCEMENT TO SENIOR MANAGEMENT
In 2010, Mark joined the San Diego City Attorney’s Office, where he served as Senior Chief Deputy City Attorney for Criminal Prosecution Operations. Prior to that position, Mark served as Chief of the General Trial Unit, Appellate Unit, and Special Prosecutions Unit. In the Special Prosecutions Unit, Mark reviewed all cases involving fatal traffic collisions and successfully prosecuted offenders for vehicular manslaughter. Mark regularly worked with traffic investigators from the San Diego Police Department and California Highway Patrol and was called to the scene of dozens of fatal collisions to observe the investigations and accident reconstructions. Mark worked with investigators and forensic pathologists from the Medical Examiner’s Office to understand the cause and manner of death. Mark specialized in narcotics cases as the lead prosecutor handling cases involving search warrants and confidential informants. Mark also served as Chair of the Brady Committee which reviewed allegations of police misconduct.
TRANSITION TO CIVIL LITGATION
In 2021, Mark left the public sector and accepted a position with Gomez Trial Attorneys, where he handled depositions and trial work on cases involving wrongful death, catastrophic injury, sexual assault, and priest misconduct cases. Mark also briefly worked at Herman Law, representing victims of sexual abuse before opening his own law firm.
FOUNDING SKEELS LAW GROUP, APC
In 2024, Mark launched the Skeels Law Group, a professional corporation, to serve clients in both criminal and civil litigation. An exceptional trial attorney who is fearless in the courtroom, Mark is now committing his time and talents to helping people who are facing crisis.