In This Section

Biography

In a potentially volatile practice where emotions can run high, Mark Dean and his level headed personality are assets to clients.  Mark, a labor and employment lawyer, frequently guides clients to proactively prevent litigation by helping them develop and implement best practices. In contentious and often precedent setting litigation, Mark is detail oriented, creative, and thoughtful. Mark often represents clients in wrongful termination, discrimination against a protected class, sexual harassment, and retaliation.  In the recent COVID-19 pandemic, Mark helped clients navigate reductions in force, vaccine and mask mandates, and the changes to FMLA. 

He regularly represents employers – both public and private sector – in defense of employment-related lawsuits in the state courts of West Virginia and the federal District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia, as well as charges filed before the West Virginia Human Rights Commission, the West Virginia Public Employees Grievance Board, and the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.  

Memberships & Awards

Professional
West Virginia State Bar
United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia
United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Associate Editor, West Virginia Law Review, Vol. 113
Senior Research Editor, West Virginia Law Review Vol. 114
CALI Award in Natural Resources

Key Experience

Prevailed on summary judgment on behalf of a public agency in a matter involving pay discrimination
Advised client on EFLMEA issues related to COVID-19 and employee leave
Advised client on employee remote work arrangements related to COVID-19

Work Experience

2014 Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
2012-2014 West Virginia Division of Highways, Legal Division

Speaking Engagements

Presenter, “2018 West Virginia Legislative Update,” West Virginia SHRM Annual Conference, October 2018

Co-author, “Reductions in Force: Factors to Consider in Order to Avoid Liability to Laid-Off Employees,” Energy & Mineral Law Foundation, 36th Annual Institute, Amelia Island, FL, 36 Energy & Min. L. Inst. 375 (2015)