As early as high school, Mark Kitrick knew that he wanted to devote his life to helping others. His father instilled in him the value of hard work and dedication to move forward and be successful. He spent his spare time assisting in nursing homes, working as a karate instructor, performing independent medical/physical examinations for insurance companies, and any other blue-collar job he could find to help him pay for high school, college and law school tuitions. Through volunteer work with the underprivileged and poor, he learned empathy, and through the theatre in high school and college he developed oratory skills.
Mark recognized that becoming a courtroom lawyer was THE way to make a positive difference for innocent victims scarred by someone else’s carelessness. But it was his first boss and mentor who steered him toward injury law. Mark knew that he had found his niche, doing what he was meant to do in his profession, and as a person.
Mark works tirelessly for his clients, and is dedicated to pursuing justice for them. He understands that most people simply cannot fight the system alone and need an advocate to help them navigate the complex maze of rules and regulations. He recognizes that the average victim does not have a serious chance of getting proper and full compensation from the billion-dollar insurance industry. And he realizes that innocent victims will not be treated fairly without someone by their sides to guide and protect them.
For almost 39 years, Mark has earned the trust and confidence of his clients. He has helped more than 10,000 people through very tough, often profoundly difficult, times, delivering compassionate counsel and achieving remarkable results.
Whether in the courtroom, playing and composing music, teaching martial arts, writing and lecturing, or performing pro bono work, Mark stands out as great humanitarian. He has also honed his many and varied skills to become the perfect trial lawyer, one who understands what his clients are going through and is devoted to fighting for them.
- 2023 Ohio’s ABOTA Lifetime Professionalism Award
- 2023 Featured in Member Spotlight, Ohio Lawyer, October 2023
- 2022 Kitrick argued in front of the Ohio Supreme Court. Click here for full video clip
- 2022 AAJ Harry Philo Award
The American Association for Justice (National) Harry M. Philo Award recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding
contribution to the civil justice system and whose work has advanced the safety and protection of American consumers. - 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Dayton
- 2024-present Top 100 Ohio Super Lawyers, Top 50 Attorneys Columbus
- 2003-2023 Best Lawyers in America
- 2014 Lawyer of the Year, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
- 2005-2019 Super Lawyers, Top 50 Attorneys Columbus and Ohio
- AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale Hubble, 25 consecutive years
- 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Dayton School of Law
- 2021 Distinguished Service Award, American Association for Justice (National)
- 2021 Above & Beyond Award, American Association for Justice (National)
- 2016-2021 Evergreen Fund Leadership Award, American Association for Justice (National)
- 2021 Ohio’s ABOTA Chapter Finalist (top 3), For National ABOTA Chapter of Year Award (while Mark was President)
- 2017 Above & Beyond Award, American Association for Justice (National)
- 2017 Evergreen Fund Leadership Award, American Association for Justice (National)
- 2017 Columbus Business First, “20 Lawyers to Know”
- 2010-Present Tier 1, Best Law Firm, U.S. News & World Report
- 2016 Distinguished Life Fellow Associate, Ohio State Bar Foundation
- 2016 Distinguished Service Award, American Association for Justice (National)
- 2016 Evergreen Fund Leadership Award, American Association for Justice (National)
- 2015 Past President’s Award, Central Ohio Association for Justice
- 2015 Respected Advocate Award, Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys (OACTA – the defense bar – statewide honor)
- 2015 Above & Beyond Award, American Association for Justice (National)
- 2014 Community Justice Award, Mothers Against Drunk Driving
- 2014 Distinguished Service Award, Ohio Association for Justice
- 2014 Distinguished Service Award, American Association for Justice (National)
- 2013 Distinguished Service Award, American Association for Justice (National)
- 2009 Award for Outstanding Leadership for AAJ PAC work – AAJ Annual Convention (National)
- 2008 Past President’s Award, Ohio Association for Justice
- 2008 Wiedemann & Wysocki National Finance Award, AAJ Washington DC (National)
- 2004-2007 Outstanding Service and Leadership, Columbus Bar Association
- 2005 President’s Award, Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers
- 2003-2004 President’s Award, Franklin County Trial Lawyers Association
- 2000 President’s Award, Franklin County Trial Lawyers Association
- American Association for Justice member of the Board of Governors (2008-present) representing Ohio; Budget Committee Chair – elected three terms (2011-present), member of the Budget Committee (2010-2020), Evergreen Advisory Board (2016-present), Sexual Assault Litigation Group, Class Action Litigation Group, National Finance Committee, Committee for a Better Future; Press Advisory Committee (Co-Chair), AAJ PAC Committee, Public Affairs Committee Co-Chair, and Subcommittee regarding ERISA and Medicare, Retirement Committee Chair, Executive Committee (7 years in a row), Audit Committee, and Organizational Review Committee (2011-2014)
- Ohio State Bar Foundation (OSBF) – President (2020); President-Elect (2019), elected to Board of Trustees, two terms (2015-2021); Development Committee Chair (2015-2018); Audit & Finance Committee (2018); Executive Committee (2016-2020); Membership Committee (2016-2017); Grants Committee (2011-2012 & 2013-2016); Awards Committee (2015-2016); Sponsorship Ad Hoc Committee Chair (2015), among other committees.
- American Board of Trial Advocates (Ohio – ABOTA) – President (2020) – (While presiding, Mark’s chapter was nominated as one of the top 3 chapters in the U.S.A.); President-Elect (2019), Ohio Chapter (ABOTA) – past Officer – Secretary (2018); elected to Board of Trustees (2015-present); elected Treasurer (2017-2018)
- Ohio Association for Justice (OAJ) and Ohio Association for Justice Educational Foundation, (formerly the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers – OATL), Advocate (2011), Board of Governors to AAJ (2009-2016), President (2007-2008); President-Elect (2006-2007); Vice President (2005-2006); Officer – Secretary (2004-2005), Officer – Treasurer (2003-2004), Fundraising Chair (2003-2004), Amicus Chair (2002-2004). Past Chair of Negligence Law, Chair of the Coalition Committee, and Chair of the Trustee-at-Large from 1996 to the present; Nominating Committee (2013)
- MADD – Victim Services (2013) & Amicus Committee (2014-2016)
- Plaintiff’s Member of the Working Committee for the Court of Claims, State of Ohio (2012-2019)
- Ohio Dominican University – Guest Professor – Ethics, Law & Policy-Civil Justice Overview
- Distracted Driving – Volunteer Lecturer-Various High Schools “60 For Safety” (2012-present)
- Puffin Foundation West – Treasurer (2011-present)
- Franklin County Trial Lawyers Association (FCTLA) – now Central Ohio Association for Justice, President – (past positions include President and Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and then Trustee for several years); Chair and Co-Chair, Membership Committee. (2003-2004)
- Columbus Bar Association – elected twice to the Board of Governors; member of the Law 2010 Committee and Columbus Bar Foundation Audit Committee, as well as liaison to Environmental Law, ADR, Real Property and Small Firm Committees. (2004-2007 – two terms)
- Ohio State Bar Association – Public Outreach Committee member (2008-2009)
- Art Acquisition Committee for Franklin County Courthouse (2008-2009)
- Minor Settlements and Wrongful Death Claims Committee – Franklin County, Ohio (2009)
- Ohio State Bar Association Foundation’s 2006 Fellows Class, Keys to the Courtroom, a project for the working poor.
- 126th General Assembly – Member of the Ohio Subrogation Rights Commission (2005)
- Trustee, Short North Neighborhood Foundation (2000-2002)
- Trustee, Dominican Home Health Agency (1996-1999)
- Volunteer Judge, Jessup International Law Competition, Ohio State University Law School (1993-1999)
- Co-Chairperson for Committee for Children Conflict Resolution through Mediation termed “Schoolutions.” Created by Mark and Java Kitrick. This Committee was supported by the Office of the Governor with the goal of integrating in schools the process whereby children learn how to resolve their own problems through mediation. (1990-1993 pro bono)
- Volunteer legal instructor at Westminster Retirement Community. Lecturer on wills, trusts, estates and guardianships and various topics regarding seniors. (1984-1992 pro bono)
- Volunteer Mediator for the Peace Exhibition, Ohio State Fair, August 1989 (pro bono)
- Volunteer Mediator for settlement week for Franklin County Court of Common Pleas and Franklin County Municipal Court (1987-1995)
- Moot Court Judge/Advisor for the National Moot Court Team, Capital University Law School (1981-1982, Spring, 1988 and Fall, 1989)
- Court-appointed Chief Arbitrator for Rule 65 Arbitrations in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas (1984-1985)
- Central Ohio Association for Justice (formerly FCTLA – Past President)
- AAJ – Leaders Forum
- National Crime Victims Bar Association
- National Order of the Barristers – Lifetime Advocacy Accomplishments
- The Melvin M. Belli Society
- Ohio State Bar Association
- Columbus Bar Association (CBA – elected to the Board of Governors 2 times)
- National Association of Consumer Advocates
- National Crime Victims Bar Association
- Injury Board (and Distracted Driving Lecturer)
- Columbus Bar Foundation Fellow
- American Bar Association
- Western Trial Lawyers Association
- Co-author of book Experts: Picking, Preparing and Perfecting (AAJ Press, 2024)
- Co-author (with Mark Lewis) of The Dangers of Thinking Alone (Fall 2021, Columbus Bar Lawyers Quarterly)
- Author of The Responsible Monkey Mind (Summer 2021, Columbus Bar Lawyers Quarterly)
- Author of The Fundamental Craft of Cross (March 2020, Trial)
- Message from the President (OSBF Board Brief, July 2020)
- Message from the President (OSBF Board Brief, June 2020)
- Message from the President (OSBF Board Brief, May 2020)
- Message from the President (OSBF Board Brief, April 2020)
- Message from the President (OSBF Board Brief, March 2020)
- Message from the President (OSBF Board Brief, February 2020)
- Message from the President (OSBF Board Brief, January 2020)
- Co-author (with Mark Lewis) of Where Science Meets Storytelling: The Drama of Change (Summer 2020, Columbus Bar Lawyers Quarterly)
- Co-author (with Mark Lewis) of How Our Inner “Press Secretary” Tells Delusional Stories (Spring 2020, Columbus Bar Lawyers Quarterly)
- Co-author (with Mark Lewis) of Client as Character: Soliloquy, Vulnerability, Skill and Morality (Winter 2020, Columbus Bar Lawyers Quarterly)
- Co-author (with Mark Lewis) of Danger at the Amusement Park (Trial – January 2019)
- Author of Sports and Concussions: Protecting Our Brains (CBA Lawyer’s Quarterly – Summer 2017)
- Author of The Emergence of Resort Torts: A Basic Primer (AAJ 2016)
- Co-Author of Terrorism & Commercial Insurance Coverage (CBA Lawyer’s Quarterly – Winter Edition 2016)
- Author of How to Get Over the Fear of Flying (Living Safer, Fall 2015)
- Co-Author of The Physician Payment Sunshine Act (Ohio Lawyer, July-August 2015)
- Co-Author of Ohio’s Move Over Law (Ohio Lawyer, July-August 2015)
- Co-Author of Looking Inside Your Own Mind (TRIAL 2015)
- Co-Author of Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage is Critical Protection (Ohio Lawyer Jan-Feb 2015)
- Co-Author of Hazing: Ohio’s Wide Liability Net (Ohio Lawyer, Nov.-Dec. 2014)
- Co-Author of Ohio’s New Child Care Seat Standard (Ohio Lawyer, Sept.-Oct. 2014)
- Co-Author of More Likely Than Not “Preponderance” is Misunderstood: Arguing for a Clearer Ohio Jury Instruction on The Burden of Proof (Ohio Trial, Spring 2014)
- Author of Easy Food Swaps for Healthier Living (Living Safer, Spring 2014)
- Author of Sulfite: Are You Allergic to This Common Preservative? (The Safety Report, Spring 2013)
- Co-Author of Inaccurate Medical Records: Ramifications and Remedies (Ohio Trial, Spring 2012)
- Contributor to book Bouncebacks: Medical and Legal, by Michael Weinstock, MD, Anadem Publishing, Inc. (2011) – Also frequently lectures on topic.
- Co-Author/Editor of OAJ’S The Big Book of Motions Supplement (2009-2010)
- Co-Author of Exploring Noneconomic Damages: Mining for Meaning (Ohio Trial, Summer 2007)
- Creator and Editor-in-Chief of compilation book for Columbus Bar Association, Reflections on Life and the Law—Wit and Wisdom from Columbus Bar Association Attorneys (June 2006)
- Author of manual How to Successfully File Documents with the Clerk of Courts, Civil Division: Answers to Common Questions (1995-pro bono with all proceeds donated to the Homeless Foundation through the Columbus Bar Association)
- Co-author article, Direct Examination, Ohio Trial (Summer 1998)
- Co-author – Law on the Internet: Mapping the Electronic Wilderness for Trial Lawyers, Ohio Trial (Spring 1988)
- Co-author – Are you Certain It is Probable or Is It Probably Certain? Admission of a Medical Expert’s Opinion Regarding Future Damages, Ohio Trial
- Co-author – Gaining a New Perspective: Extending the Loss of Chance Doctrine Beyond Medical Malpractice, Ohio Trial (2000)
- Amicus Brief – Texler v. D.O. Summers Cleaners & Shirt Laundry Company, (1998) 81 Ohio St. 3d 677
- Amicus Brief – Armstrong v. Best Buy, Inc., (2002) Supreme Court Case No. 02-0367
- Co-author Law Review Article – University of Toledo Law Review – Kumho Tire Co. v. Carmichael: Blowout from the Overinflation of Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals
- Legal History Columnist for the Columbus Bar Association’s Bar Briefs (1999 to 2005)
- Co-editor of OATL’s The Big Book of Complaints (2003)
View/download a full version of Mark Kitrick’s Curriculum Vitae [pdf] here.