Mark J. Criser - Shareholder
Mark is a Shareholder and the practice Chair of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Group. His practice primarily involves the defense of professional malpractice claims, life, health, and disability insurance claims, as well as general commercial litigation.
Upon graduating from law school, Mark served as a Staff Attorney for the Honorable Major B. Harding, Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court. Since coming to Tampa in 2000, Mark has represented several national insurance companies and law firms, as well as multi-national corporations.
Mark is active in both professional and Bar-related activities. He is a member of the Defense Research Institute, the Hillsborough County Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the Florida Supreme Court Historical Society. He has presented seminars for the Hillsborough County Bar Association, the Defense Research Institute, the Eastern Claims Conference, and the Western Claims Conference. Mark previously served as a member of The Florida Bar's Grievance Committee (Group 13E), and as a member of The Florida Bar's Professional Ethics Committee.
In addition to his legal practice, Mark is also active in the community. He is currently Chairman of the AMIkids Foundation Board of Trustees, was previously the National Chairman for AMIKids, Inc., and prior to that was Chairman of the Board of Trustees for AMI Kids-Tampa. Mark has been a member of the UF Alumni Association Board of Directors since 2011, and currently serves as its Vice President. Mark is also a member of the University of Florida Law Alumni Council and currently serves as its President.
Court Admissions
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All Florida State Courts
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U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
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U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
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U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
Professional Recognition
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AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
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Florida Super Lawyers (2011-2020)
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Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star (2009)
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Florida Trend Legal Elite (2013-2015)
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Super Lawyers Business Edition (2013)
Published Decisions
Show All
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In re Steffen,
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Watson v. Liberty Mut. Ins. Co.,
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Weber v. Whitaker & Hamilton, P.A.,
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Kelly v. Nelson, Mullins, Riley & Scarborough, L.L.P.,
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Steffen v. Akerman, Senterfitt & Edison, P.A.,
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Nova information Systems, Inc. v. Greenwich Ins. Co.,
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Rodriguez v. J.C. Penney Life Ins. Co.,
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Smith v. Coalition to Reduce Class Size,
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Steffen v. Senterfitt,
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Montpellier Farm, Ltd v. Crane Environmental, Inc.,
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Menchise v. Akerman Senterfitt,
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Littell v. U.S.,
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Steffen v. Akerman Senterfitt,
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Kelly v. Nelson, Mullins, Riley & Scarborough, L.L.P.,
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Nova Information Systems, Inc. v. Greenwich Ins. Co.,
Community & Civic Affiliations
- AMIKids, Inc.
- National Chairman
- AMIKids-Tampa
- Board of Trustees
- Excellence in Governance Award (2013)
- Excellence in Leadership Award (2010)
- Excellence in Governance Award (2006)
- UF Alumni Association
- Law Alumni Council
- President (2018-2019)
- President-Elect (2017-2018)
- Board of Directors
Professional Associations
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Defense Research Institute
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Florida Supreme Court Historical Society
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The Florida Bar
Publications & Presentations
- Right to Be Let Alone - Has the Adoption of Article I, Section 23 of the Florida Constitution, which Explicitly Provides for a State Right of Privacy, Resulted in Greater Privacy Protection for Florida Citizens? (Hon. Major B. Harding, et al). (2000). Notre Dame J.L. Ethics & Pub. Pol'y, 14, 945.