Mark Metzger, J.D.

Adjunct Practice Advisor

Practice Growth Program facilitator and practicing attorney Mark Metzger is uniquely equipped to help other attorneys as they build their firms. With more than 28 years of experience practicing law and six years of applying Atticus concepts and principles to his own firm, Mark draws on his extensive experience in building a successful firm to help others do the same.

Mark was first introduced to Atticus in October 2011 when he attended a workshop led by Atticus Shareholder Steve Riley. That day and a half had a significant impact on him: It led to a more than five-fold increase in his revenues, dramatically reduced his time in the office and built his satisfaction with the practice of law to an all-time high. All of this led him to where he is today – not only practicing Atticus principles in his own firm, but teaching them to others.

A graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University, Mark earned his Juris Doctor degree from Southern Illinois University School of Law. The first phase of his legal career involved work at a large firm and focused primarily on litigation and he was a member of a team defending a large corporate client. This work had him trying cases in the eastern seaboard area and the Great Lakes states. The second phase of his career saw Mark transition to his own firm in the Chicago area. Presently, his practice is focused on estate planning, elder law and real estate matters and serves as a laboratory for him to apply Atticus concepts and systems.

In addition to his work as an attorney, Mark is devoted to public service, and recently completed 20 years of service as a member of the Board of Education for the Indian Prairie School District. His service there includes terms as President, Secretary, Chair of Policy, Personnel, and the Legislative, Finance and Building Committees. He served for 11 years on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Association of School Boards, including two years as President from 2007-2009. Mark also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the National School Boards Association from 2008-2011.

Mark has been a member of the Rush-Copley Medical Center/Copley Memorial Hospital Board of Directors since 1997 and presently serves as Chairman of the Board.

Some of Mark's awards and honors include:

• IASB Leadership Academy Fellow, 2011
• IASB Master Board Member, 1997- present
• Thomas Lay Burroughs Award, 2007
  Presented by Illinois State Board of Education each year to the state's most outstanding local board of education President.
• Commission as a Kentucky Colonel, 2007
  Awarded by the Governor and Commonwealth of Kentucky for meritorious service, in his case for service to America's schoolchildren.
• NSBA Distinguished Service Award, 2006
  Presented each year by the National School Boards Association Board of Directors to less than 1% of the nation's 95,000 school board members.
• Illinois Super Lawyer, 2005
  Voted by peers.
• Today's Young Executive, 2003
  Presented by the Business Ledger each year to up to ten business leaders under the age of 40 in the Chicago area.
• Lincoln's Inn of Court, 1989
  Presented by the faculty of the law school of Southern Illinois University for service to the law school and the law school community.
• Order of the Barristers, 1989
  Presented by the faculty of the law school of Southern Illinois University for exemplary performance in courtroom advocacy.
• Baxter Awards, 1989
  Presented by the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Society for the most outstanding written arguments in world competition (1st Place).
• Speaker Award, Fifth Place, 1989
  Received in World Competition of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court competition.

Mark, who is also an excellent chef, resides in Illinois with his wife Judy, is the proud father of three, and recently a new grandfather.