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Mark F. Nowak, Partner at Thorp, Reed & Armstrong, Enjoys the Autonomy of Being a Lawyer [By Kenneth Davis] Civil trial lawyer Mark Nowak has had an interest in politics and government since he was very young, and he said that interest ultimately led him to consider a legal career.
“It was probably around elementary school,”
Nowak represented Allegheny Airport
Nowak also successfully represented a large
he said. “And it related to some of the things
Authority when it sought to demolish the old
Korean contractor in an action to recover
that were occurring-presidential politics-
Pittsburgh International Airport. A historic
amounts on a letter of credit for a $320-
and on the news, I saw people like Bobby
preservationist opposed the demolition and
million project in Israel.
Kennedy and others who were lawyers
tried to have it stopped. The matter went
who were also politicians. So my interest
before Justice David Souter of the United
In addition to running his practice, Nowak is
primarily was in politics and government,
States Supreme Court in May of 1999.
general counsel for his firm. He said that as general counsel, he spends a good portion of
and I always saw law as a flexible degree and one that could be used in lots of different
“We had a motion that was decided by
his time representing his firm on ethics issues,
ways, including politics.”
Justice Souter to essentially impose a
conflict issues, contract review, and risk
bond requirement for an injunction to
issues, such as suits against the firm. Nowak,
Nowak added that his grandfather, who was
stop the demolition,” Nowak said. “They
who has served as his firm’s general counsel
a local councilman, also contributed to his
couldn’t post the bond, so the demolition
for a little over a year, said the job is taking
growing interest in politics and law.
continued, and we were able to build. We
up a bit more of his time than he originally
were able to demolish the old airport,
anticipated and that nearly half of his time is
“My grandfather had been involved in
and now there are a number of offices
now spent on general counsel matters.
politics,” he said. “And he was a fellow I
there; so that land has been reused and
spent a good deal of time with and talked to
developed into productive use.”
him about politics and government. So he was a bit of a role model, although he wasn’t
Nowak added that the new airport is not far
a lawyer.”
from its old location.
Those talks paid off. Nowak is now a
Nowak was also involved in the petition three
partner at prominent law firm Thorp,
years ago that made the City of Pittsburgh a
Reed & Armstrong’s Pittsburgh office. He
distressed city under Act 47.
handles civil cases, with a concentration on construction litigation. Nowak principally
“Essentially, a control board was put in place
represents owners, contractors, architects,
to assist the city in becoming economically
engineers, public agencies, and insurers in
viable,” Nowak said. “And I represented the
public, private, commercial, industrial, and
Pennsylvania Department of Community and
institutional construction projects ranging
Economic Development. I mean, the city
in value from $200,000 to $320 million. He’s
understood that that’s what had to happen.
also co-chair of the firm’s construction
There were a number of other citizens and
and land use practice group, is a member
other groups who didn’t feel that that was an
of the Academy of Trial Lawyers, and has
appropriate remedy to assist the city, but we
prosecuted cases in state and federal courts,
were successful.”
as well as before government agencies.
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Nowak also handles mediations and arbitrations for construction-related cases. He has served as mediator and arbitrator on major public construction projects in the Pittsburgh area. Furthermore, Nowak is on the American Arbitration Association (AAA) Construction Master Arbitrator Roster, which consists of the 100 most qualified and experienced arbitrators with construction industry experience. He serves on the AAA Mediation Panel, as well. Nowak has also done a great deal of political work over the years as a volunteer. He said the volunteer work usually involved providing counsel on Election Day to various campaigns in Western Pennsylvania. In addition, he’s involved in a number of nonprofit groups and charitable organizations and is dedicated to giving back to the community.
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Nowak studied government as an undergrad
“That’s one of the aspects that you always
“I would say to pursue outside the work
at Franklin and Marshall College in
have to continue to do if you want to be a
environment involvements that develop you
Lancaster, PA, and graduated in 1979. He
successful lawyer,” he said.
as a person. Oftentimes, it brings joy or fun into your life, but it may also have a work-
then entered Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, GA, and earned his law
Nowak said that one of his biggest influences
related benefit. It may assist in elevating
degree in 1982.
has been former Thorp Reed partner John
your own personal profile but also the profile
Bingler, who retired in 1998.
of your firm.”
Assistant County Solicitor for Allegheny
“John was a very dynamic guy who had all
Nowak was born in Homestead, PA, and grew
County. As Assistant County Solicitor, he
kinds of involvements,” Nowak said. “He was
up in neighboring West Mifflin. His wife,
represented the government in civil litigation
a Navy Seal, a U.S. Attorney, a public safety
Tina, is an anesthesiologist, and they have
matters and also handled some prosecution
director, President of the Allegheny County
three sons: Ben (20), John (18), and Patrick
related to environmental matters.
Bar Association, and has been nominated for
(14). Nowak enjoys the outdoors; he’s
the federal bench. He was a man recognized
done some kayaking and is on the board of
In 1986, he joined Thorp Reed as an associate,
by other lawyers as a lawyer’s lawyer. So
directors of Venture Outdoors.
and he became a partner in 1991. He said one
he set a high standard and was a very good
of the reasons that he joined the firm was that
example on how to conduct yourself and the
Nowak discussed some of the professional
it enabled him to continue his involvement in
kind of goals you should strive for.”
goals he’d like to accomplish in the next few
After law school, Nowak worked as an
years:
community work as well as politics. Nowak said others who have influenced “In fact, it was encouraged,” Nowak said.
him include Thorp Reed senior partner Dan
“Well, at some point before I retire, I
“So I came over to Thorp Reed, and at the
Carney and Judge James McLean, whom
would like to go back into public service-
time, my wife and I were having our first
he worked under when he was Assistant
work for the government again, federal
child, and it seemed like a good time to
County Solicitor.
government probably at some point, maybe in Washington, DC,” he said.
change, and I came over and have been here ever since-20 years.”
Nowak discussed what he believes are some of the most important issues facing the legal
He discussed what he enjoys most about
ON THE NET
community today:
his job:
Thorp, Reed & Armstrong “I think one of the issues is maintaining
www.thorpreed.com/html/index.html
“I think I enjoy the practice of law,” he said.
civility and professionalism in the practice,”
“I really do enjoy construction cases; I enjoy
he said. “I think supporting the judiciary
American Arbitration Association
being able to be a mediator and resolve
when they come under what I consider
www.adr.org
cases, and I also enjoy the autonomy of being
often to be unfair attacks. I think promoting
a lawyer and having some ability to make
pro bono legal work, particularly for legal
Emory University School of Law
decisions about what I do and how I do it.”
services organizations, is also important.”
www.law.emory.edu/cms/site
Nowak said one of the most difficult
He had the following advice for young
challenges of his job is business
lawyers:
development.
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