Mark Cheskin's practice focuses on complex commercial and employment litigation. He has handled a broad range of litigation matters over his career, from prosecuting claims for theft of trade secrets to defending claims for wrongful death under federal worker protection laws. In addition, he has experience with a broad range of industries, from agriculture to technology, allowing him to handle matters arising out of torts, contracts and both legislative and regulatory initiatives.

Over his 18-year litigation career, Mark has had significant trial and appellate experience in a wide range of complex employment and commercial matters, and has extensive experience in class action litigation, having handled the defense of more than 30 class action claims through all stages of litigation, including class certification hearings, jury and bench trials and appeals.

Mark within one six month period obtained successful jury verdicts in two different, month long class action jury trials in a claim where tens of thousands of plaintiffs were seeking in excess of $70 million, which was hailed by the National Law Journal as one of that year's "Top 10 Defense Verdicts." Mark also successfully defended the second claim filed in Florida under the Family and Medical Leave Act, which was selected by the American Lawyer’s Corporate Counsel Magazine as one of that year's "Top Ten" Labor and Employment Wins.

A frequent lecturer and author, Mark has written papers and conducted numerous seminars and training programs for clients, trade groups and publications on a variety of employment law and human resources topics, including how to hire, eliminating workplace bias, protecting companies’ trade secrets, understanding noncompete agreements, giving honest employee evaluations, preventive documentation (i.e., job applications and consent forms, employee handbooks, personnel files), reducing liability associated with company-sponsored holiday parties, how to calculate overtime pay, managing leaves of absences and employee discharge and documentation.

Mark also served ten years as the coach of the Coral Gables High School Mock Trial Team, which won local and state championships.

Representative Experience

Obtained successful jury verdicts in two separate, month-long class action jury trials within a six month period in which approximately 10,000 plaintiffs were seeking in excess of $70 million dollars in back pay from two of Florida’s largest agricultural employers (selected by the National Law Journal as one of that year's “Top 10 Defense Verdicts”).

Obtained successful jury verdict after four day trial in federal court for major NASA contractor in sexual harassment and retaliation case.

Obtained permanent injunction against former salesperson of international travel agency for theft of trade secrets and breach of non-compete agreement.

Obtained defense judgment after two day bench trial in state court on plaintiff’s claim for retaliatory discharge against a major airline.

Obtained summary judgment on 17 count complaint by 4 plaintiffs against one of the country’s largest health care companies, and successfully argued the appeal before the Eleventh Circuit.