Mark Emison

Having completed his clerkship with Hon. William Ray Price, the Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court, Mark joined the firm as an associate after earning his J.D. at the University of Chicago Law School.

While at the University of Chicago, Mark was a member of the Exoneration Project, which represents clients falsely convicted of crimes. As part of that program, Mark developed and implemented case strategies, collaborating on a post-conviction petition, and drafting a motion for successive post-conviction petition. Mark also interviewed witnesses, prepared affidavits, and analyzed prospective cases as part of the Exoneration Project.

As a clerk for Chief Justice Price, Mark discussed all oral arguments with the Chief Justice of the state’s highest court. He assisted in drafting majority and dissenting opinions, and wrote legal memoranda on applications for transfer, writs of mandamus, writs of prohibition, and writs of habeas corpus.  

Mark also was able to fulfill a summer as Legal Fellow with the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs in 2009. For that fellowship in Washington, D.C., he researched and interviewed experts for committee hearings, interviewed whistleblowers, and helped investigate wasteful U.S. government contracting practices. 

Mark is currently an American LIFE Volunteer, a Columbia-based nonprofit group that teaches foreign University of Missouri Students about American culture.  He has previously volunteered his time as a project coordinator at Caring for Columbia and a student mentor at the Latino Centro Literacy organization in Columbia. 

Education 

J.D., University of Chicago Law School 
B.S., University of Missouri - Columbia

• Magna cum laude
• Major: Real Estate and Finance

Bar Admissions

Illinois State Courts 
State Courts of Missouri

Previous Employment
 
Missouri Supreme Court, Clerk for Chief Justice 
Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon LLP, Summer Associate
U.S. House of Representatives, Intern for Rep. Ike Skelton
Missouri Court of Appeals – Western District, Intern
Missouri State Senate, Intern

Honors and Awards 

University of Missouri Alumni Association "Excellence Award"
Dean's List, Univ. of Missouri, 2003-2007
Rho Epsilon, President (Columbia chapter)
Kappa Alpha Order, Alumni Relations Officer
Beta Gamma Sigma (honors fraternity)

Professional Associations and Memberships 

American Association for Justice
Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys
Missouri Bar Association
Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
Lafayette County Bar Association