In our last First Coast issue, we featured Alexander DeGance Barnett as our Law Firm of the Month and cover story. On the eve of their 15th anniversary, the firm shared that Mark Alexander had decided to retire. As he steps into his new role as partner emeritus, we sat down with him to take a look back on his career.
AALM: Looking back on your career, what experiences taught you the most?
MA: I learned the most when things didn’t go well, such as losing a case, getting into a needless dispute with opposing counsel, finding ourselves sideways with a client, a hiring decision that didn’t work out, or a ruling from a judge that wasn’t expected. These are the things we learn from so that we better represent our clients the next time.
AALM: How has the legal profession evolved most over your career?
MA: In some ways, yes, the practice of law has changed. In other ways, not really. Human beings still do what they do, including lawyers, and that hasn’t changed. Human nature and behavior are the same as it was and I don’t see much different. The changes have come with technology and the heightened need for speed to completion. In these ways, the practice of law has changed a lot, and it is sometimes difficult to keep up.
AALM: Tell us about a case that has stood out in your mind.
MA: I tried a two-week jury case in state court in Houston around the year 2000, give or take. We represented a corporate plaintiff in a mass employee defection case against a corporate defendant. It was impactful because I learned that I could do it – and do it well. They do things differently in Texas and it was necessary to learn the local way of things that aren’t published anywhere.
AALM: Tell us a funny anecdote from your career.
MA: I showed up at the courthouse for the first day of a jury trial in Houston, Texas, and learned that they examine witnesses from a seated position even in a jury trial. It was like a scene from the movie, “My cousin Vinny” on when to stand and when to remain seated. Fortunately, the trial judge permitted my respectful “out of state lawyer” request to stand at a small rickety podium we found stashed in a corner when examining a witness if I promised to not move from my stationary position behind the podium. For inexplicable reasons, my opposing counsel continued to examine witnesses for the entire trial from a seated position rather than stand.
AALM: What are you most proud of accomplishing in your career?
MA: First, I am very proud of working with my partners to establish a successful law firm in 2010 that remains successful today. I’m proud of the young lawyers who I’ve worked with who are now experienced lawyers. On something more personal, I am proud to call myself board certified in civil trial law. I’ve wanted to go through the board certification process for 25 or more years and finally did it in 2022 and 2023. The process of becoming board certified made me a better lawyer. I highly recommend the board certification process for any lawyer who wants to better him/herself in the practice of law.
AALM: As you step away from the practice of law, what are you most looking forward to doing?
MA: Right now, I’m giving a lot of attention to my vegetable garden. I’m also working hard on a capital campaign for a nonprofit organization.
