Mark Zukowski
Partner
Arizona
Mark Zukowski has served as an arbitrator and mediator for over 30 years, handling over 500 mediations and 100 arbitrations in matters involving personal injury, construction and commercial disputes. His mediation services are now available across Arizona. What makes Mark an effective mediator is his ability to communicate with the diverse participants who mediate before him.
Originally from Michigan, Mark’s father was a factory worker and his mother an administrative assistant. Mark worked his way through both undergraduate school and law school. From his humble beginning, Mark has had a successful legal career spanning over 40 years. He credits much of his success to his unique life experiences, which he draws upon to assist parties in resolving their disputes. Mark has represented a broad range of clients – from individuals to Fortune 500 companies – which has further enhanced his practice and provided him the unique ability to truly understand and effectively communicate with individuals from all walks of life.
Mark has received extensive training through the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University. He is a member of the Consumer, Construction, and Commercial Arbitrator and Mediator Panels for AAA. In 2011, he was accepted into the prestigious National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (NADN). He has been recognized in Best Lawyers of America® for Arbitration and Mediation, 2018-Present. Mark previously served as a settlement conference Judge Pro Tem for the Maricopa County Superior Court and for the Arizona Court of Appeals. Mark also was a member for many years of the USLAW NETWORK and was the founding Chair of its Construction Practice Group.
Mark now exclusively focuses his practice on serving as an arbitrator and mediator. During his prior extensive civil trial practice Mark tried 25 cases to verdict. He is also a member of the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA).
Mark has lived in Arizona since 1978. He and his wife, Raeann, have been married for over 40 years, and are grandparents to two boys and four girls. When not at work, Mark and Raeann, a travel agent, are fulfilling their dream of traveling the world.
Professional Associations & Memberships
- American Arbitration Association
- Consumer Arbitration and Mediation, Panel Member
- Commercial Arbitration and Mediation, Panel Member
- Construction Arbitration and Mediation, Panel Member
- American Board of Trial Advocates, Associate Member
- Arizona Association of Defense Counsel, Member
- Maricopa County Superior Court, Settlement Conference (Judge Pro Tem)
- National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, Member
- State Bar of Arizona, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Construction Practice Groups
Professional Recognition & Awards
- Southwest Super Lawyers, Alternative Dispute Resolution, 2013-2024
- AZ Big Media’s AzBusiness Leaders for 2023
- Best Lawyers in America®, Arbitration, 2018-2025; Mediation, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, 2023-2025
- Beta Gamma Alpha Honorary Accounting Society
- Beta Gamma Sigma Honorary Business Society
- Listed, Top 20 ADR Attorneys in Arizona by Arizona Business Magazine, 2015
- Phoenix Magazine’s Top Attorneys in Arbitration and Mediation, 2014, 2017, 2024
- Listed, Best of AZ Business Magazine, Top Alternative Dispute Resolution Attorneys, 2012-2013
- AV® Preeminent™ Rated on Martindale Hubbell
Presentations & Publications
- “A Mediator’s Settlement Proposal,” Author, Arizona Attorney Magazine, November 2022
- “Online Mediation Goes Mainstream,” Author, Arizona Attorney Magazine, June 2020
- “Nine Best Practices to Protect Your Next Virtual-Teleconferencing Meeting,” Author, JSH Legal Update, April 2020
- “Capitalize on Your Mediator’s Expertise to Maximize Your Settlements,” Author, Arizona Attorney Magazine, November 2019
- “Capitalize on Your Mediator’s Expertise to Maximize Your Settlements,” Author, The JSH Reporter Fall 2019
- “ADR Talks,” Presenter, State Bar of Arizona Convention, June 2019
- “Coming Full Circle: Making the Case for the Return of the Initial Joint Mediation Session,” Author, The JSH Reporter, Fall 2018
- “Hot Topics in Arbitration – A Panel Discussion,” Panelist, Maricopa County Bar Association – Construction Law Section, October 2018
- “The Expert Witness: A Seldom Used But Powerful Resource to Improve Your Mediation Success,” Author, The JSH Reporter, Spring 2018
- “How Experts May Improve Your Mediation Success,” Author, Arizona Attorney, March 2018
- “Bracketing: Whether a Fan or Foe, It Is Important to Understand Its Role in Mediation,” Author, The JSH Reporter, page 18, Fall 2017
- “Bracketing: Understanding Its Role in Mediation,” Author, Arizona Attorney, page 44, November 2017
- “The Mediated Arbitration: Think Outside The Box The Next Time You Reach An Impasse During Mediation,” Author, The JSH Reporter, page 33, Summer 2015
- “Use Your Dating Experience to Improve Your Mediation Success,” Author, The JSH Reporter, page 24, Fall 2014
- “Want To Improve Your Success At Mediation? It Is As Simple As Picking The Right Pair Of Shoes,” Author, The JSH Reporter, page 24, Summer 2014
- “Mediation Do’s and Don’ts: Advice from the Inside,” Speaker, 2014 USLAW Spring Conference, April 2014
- “The Barristers Ball,” Author, 2012
- “Managing the Media in Today’s World: Why You Do Not Respond to Media Inquiries with No Comment,” Presenter, Spring USLAW Client Conference, April 2011
- “Better Mediation Results – An Insider’s Guide to Mediation,” Presenter, Arizona Association of Defense Counsel Annual Meeting, June 2010
- “Fast and Furious – The Five Minute Drill,” Presenter, USLAW Spring Client Conference, April 2010
- “Construction Trends Across the Nation,” Presenter, USLAW Network’s Annual Client Conference, March 2006
- “Liability to Spectators at Sporting Events”, Co-author, Federation of Insurance and Corporate Counsel Quarterly, Vol. 47, No. 2, Winter, 1997
- “Mediation: An Insider’s Guide to Better Mediation Results,” Author, September 2023
Education
University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law, J.D., 1980
University of Michigan, Summer 1979
Wayne State University, B.S., Accounting, with High Distinction, 1978
Admissions
Arizona, 1981
Arizona Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 1983
U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, 1981
U.S. Supreme Court, 1991