Andy Marks joined Coffey Burlington in 2013 as a partner after more than 25 years of practice as a litigation partner in the Washington, DC office of Crowell & Moring LLP. Andy currently also maintains a practice in Washington as the Law Offices of Andrew Marks PLLC.
Following graduation from the University of Michigan Law School, Andy clerked for U.S. District Judge Charles R. Richey in the District of Columbia and then worked in the White House and State Department on Middle East peace negotiations as Executive Assistant to Ambassador Sol M. Linowitz, President Carter’s Personal Representative to the Middle East Peace Negotiations. Andy was elected to serve as President of the District of Columbia Bar in 1998-99 and has served in a wide range of D.C. Bar roles over his career.
Andy has extensive experience as a trial lawyer, appellate advocate, and counselor in a wide range of practice areas. His areas of expertise include business torts and contracts, media law and defamation, breach of fiduciary duty and corporate governance, class actions, and commercial real estate. He also has considerable experience with claims by and against lawyers and law firms, including partnership agreement disputes, fee disputes, malpractice claims, and issues of professional ethics. Andy has consistently been included in The Best Lawyers in America in the practice areas of commercial litigation, alternative dispute resolution, and First Amendment law.
He was named Lawyer of the Year in Miami by Best Lawyers in First Amendment Law in 2018 and in Arbitration in 2022.
In addition to his advocacy work, Andy has substantial experience, and a strong record of success, both as a mediator and an arbitrator. He is a member of The McCammon Group’s panel of neutrals. (https://www.mccammongroup.com)
Representative Engagements
- Representation of The New Republic wide range of litigation and counseling matters.
- Represented multiple departing partners of multi-national law firm in arbitration proceedings brought under firm partnership agreement.
- Represented partners in major multi-national firm accused of violation of Rules of Professional Conduct.
- Defend sole practitioner against disbarment charges
- Representation of both clients and law firms in fee disputes.
- Represented major developer in wide array of cases, including litigation challenging construction of Marriott Marquis Hotel at Washington Convention Center and litigation enforcing development limits challenged by building purchaser.
- Lead Class Counsel responsible for negotiating and implementing $1.25 billion settlement for class of black farmers who were the victims of discrimination by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in farm loan program.
- Represented Denver Public School System in connection with modification of consent decree governing provision of services to non-native English-speaking students.
- Served as counsel to Special Master overseeing implementation of consent decree for Tucson United School District.
- Represented Commission on Presidential Debates in litigation brought by Presidential candidate Ralph Nader.
Professional and Community Involvement
- President, District of Columbia Bar (1998-99)
- President, District of Columbia Bar Foundation (2004-05)
- Vice President, District of Columbia Access to Justice Foundation (2010-present)
- American Jewish Committee, Member of National Executive Council and Co-Chair of AJC Arabian Gulf Institute
- Member, Maryland Civic Education Coalition
Awards and Recognition
- Recipient of the Judge Learned Hand Award from the American Jewish Committee in Washington, D.C. in recognition of his “dedication to the highest principles of the legal profession and his outstanding contributions to the enrichment of the community.”
- Recipient of the Servant of Justice Award by the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia
Personal
- Raised in Coral Gables
- Married, three sons
- Passionate about golf and Washington Capitals hockey
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Education
- University of Michigan Law School, magna cum Laude, 1976
- Managing Editor, Michigan Law Review, 1975-76
- Harvard College, A.B., cum laude, 1973
Admitted to Practice
- Florida Bar
- District of Columbia Bar
Practice Focus
- Complex Commercial Disputes
- Legal Ethics and Malpractice Defense
- First Amendment and Media
