MARK SIMPKINS

(949) 285 6424

MSimpkins@Knottneruslaw.com

 

Of Counsel

 

Mr. Simpkins was born in Paso Robles, California in 1964.

 

ACADEMIC RECORD

 

Mr. Simpkins received his B.A. in International Relations in 1986 from the University of Southern California where he graduated cum laude. He received his Juris Doctorate in 1994 from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles where he was an editor of the International and Comparative Law Journal. He is admitted to the California Bar and to all United States District Courts for California.

 

PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

 

Upon completion of his undergraduate studies, Mr. Simpkins joined the United States Navy where he became a member of the elite S.E.A.L. teams. During his five years of active duty with the S.E.A.L. teams, Mr. Simpkins served in combat in Panama and the Middle East where he earned numerous unit and personal awards and commendations for valor, including the Bronze Star Medal. He is currently a lieutenant commander in the Naval Reserve.

 

Mr. Simpkins left active duty with the Navy in 1991 to attend law school. During law school he worked full time with the law firm of Iverson, Yoakum, Papiano & Hatch as a law clerk. He continued with this firm as litigation associate until 1995. In December 1995, Mr. Simpkins joined Bridgford, Knottnerus & Gleason. From December 1995 through December 2007, Mr. Simpkins worked with Bridgford, Knottnerus & Gleason, initially as an associate in the litigation department, and then as a litigator on an of-counsel basis. Following the dissolution of Bridgford, Knottnerus & Gleason in December 2007, Mr. Simpkins continues to work with Knottnerus & Associates on an of-counsel basis.

 

LEGAL EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE

 

Mr. Simpkins has extensive experience successfully handling a wide variety of civil litigation matters. He specializes in complex litigation, and his practice areas include contract disputes, construction, business torts, wrongful termination and discrimination, and personal injury.

 

Among his notable cases, Mr. Simpkins has successfully prosecuted several actions against the tabloids on behalf of celebrity clients; obtained jury verdicts in excess of one million dollars in two separate cases (personal injury and real estate fraud); obtained a summary judgment in excess of $750,000 in federal court in a breach of fiduciary duty case against the FDIC; and successfully represented building developers, subcontractors and homeowners in contract and construction disputes before judges, juries, and in mediations, arbitrations and judicial references.

 

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

 

Mr. Simpkins' professional and community affiliations include the California State Bar; the Los Angeles County Bar Association; the Naval Reserve Officer's Association; and the Fraternal Order of U.D.T./S.E.A.L.'s.