Overview

Mark Criser is practice chair of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Group. His practice primarily involves the defense of professional malpractice claims, life, health, and disability insurance claims, as well as general commercial litigation.

Upon graduating from law school, he served as a staff attorney for the Honorable Major B. Harding, Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court. Since coming to Tampa in 2000, Mark has represented several national insurance companies and law firms, as well as multi-national corporations.

Mark is active in both professional and Bar-related activities. He is a member of the Defense Research Institute, the Hillsborough County Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the Florida Supreme Court Historical Society. He has presented seminars for the Hillsborough County Bar Association, the Defense Research Institute, the Eastern Claims Conference, and the Western Claims Conference. Mark previously served as a member of The Florida Bar's Grievance Committee (Group 13E), and as a member of The Florida Bar's Professional Ethics Committee.

In addition to his legal practice, he is also active in the community. He has been involved with AMIKids, Inc., for several years, he has been a member of the UF Alumni Association Board of Directors since 2011, and currently serves as its vice president. Mark is also a member of the University of Florida Law Alumni Council and currently serves as its president. 

Honors

  • AV Preeminent® Rating, Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review
  • Florida Super Lawyers (2011-2024)
  • Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star (2009)
  • Florida Trend’s Legal Elite (2013-2015)
  • Super Lawyers Business Edition (2013)
  • Best Lawyers in America® (2021-2025)
  • TAMPA Magazine's Top Lawyers (2023)
    • Commercial Litigation / Transactions UCC Law

Credentials & Experience

Education

University of Florida, B.A., 1992

University of Florida, M.A., 1994

University of Florida College of Law, J.D., 1997

Bar Admissions

American Bar Association

The Florida Bar

Hillsborough County Bar Association

Court Admissions

All Florida State Courts

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

Florida Federal Courts: Middle and Southern Districts

Professional & Civic

Community & Professional

  • AMIKids, Inc.
    • National Chairman
    • AMIKids-Tampa
      • Board of Trustees
      • Excellence in Governance Award (2013)
      • Excellence in Leadership Award (2010)
      • Excellence in Governance Award (2006)
  • UF Alumni Association
    • Law Alumni Council
      • President (2018-2019)
      • President-Elect (2017-2018)
    • Board of Directors
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Florida Supreme Court Historical Society
  • The Florida Bar
    • Commission on Review of the Discipline System (appointed 2011)
    • Grievance Committee (Group 13E)
    • Professional Ethics Committee

Newsroom

News & Insights

Articles & Publications

  • Right to Be Let Alone - Has the Adoption of Article I, Section 23 of the Florida Constitution, which Explicitly Provides for a State Right of Privacy, Resulted in Greater Privacy Protection for Florida Citizens? (Hon. Major B. Harding, et al). (2000). Notre Dame J.L. Ethics & Pub. Pol'y, 14, 945.

Published Decisions

  • In re Steffen
    WL 1746883 05-17239
    United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, June 27, 2006
  • Watson v. Liberty Mut. Ins. Co.
    WL 34373973 8:01CV368T27MAP
    United States District Court, M.D. Florida, Tampa Division, July 11, 2002
  • Weber v. Whitaker & Hamilton, P.A.
    WL 2521229 2D08-5790
    District Court of Appeal of Florida, Second District, August 19, 2009
  • Kelly v. Nelson, Mullins, Riley & Scarborough, L.L.P.
    WL 25778702 8:01-CV-1176-T-27MAP
    United States District Court, M.D. Florida, Tampa Division, March 25, 2003
  • Steffen v. Akerman, Senterfitt & Edison, P.A.
    WL 1117390 804-CV-1693-T-24MSS
    United States District Court, M.D. Florida, Tampa Division, April 24, 2009
  • Nova information Systems, Inc. v. Greenwich Ins. Co.
    WL 32075792 6:00CV1703ORL31 KRS
    United States District Court, M.D. Florida, December 13, 2002
  • Rodriguez v. J.C. Penney Life Ins. Co.
    WL 208775 8:02-CV-695-T-17MAP
    United States District Court, M.D. Florida, January 25, 2006
  • Smith v. Coalition to Reduce Class Size
    WL 31051569 SC02-1624
    Supreme Court of Florida, September 13, 2002
  • Steffen v. Senterfitt
    WL 1601750 8:04-CV-1693T24MSS
    United States District Court, M.D. Florida, Tampa Division, June 01, 2007
  • Montpellier Farm, Ltd v. Crane Environmental, Inc.
    WL 722238 07-22815-CIV
    United States District Court, S.D. Florida,  March 18, 2009
  • Menchise v. Akerman Senterfitt
    WL 2597046 07-13046
    United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, July 02, 2008
  • Littell v. U.S.
    WL 480891 8:99CV2808T17EAJ
    United States District Court, M.D. Florida, Tampa Division, March 11, 2002
  • Steffen v. Akerman Senterfitt
    WL 3277894 804CV1693T24MSS
    United States District Court, M.D. Florida, December 02, 2005
  • Kelly v. Nelson, Mullins, Riley & Scarborough, L.L.P.
    WL 4054841 8:01CV1176T27MAP
    United States District Court, M.D. Florida, November 17, 2004
  • Nova Information Systems, Inc. v. Greenwich Ins. Co.
    WL 758987 03-10218
    United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, April 09, 2004
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