Mark Spansel joined Adams and Reese in 1977 and is a Partner. He has held numerous leadership positions within the firm including serving four terms as a member of the Executive Committee, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Practice Team Leader and member of the Expansion Committee.
Mark also has formerly chaired the Strategic Planning Committees for the New Orleans/Baton Rouge, Houston and Birmingham offices. In response to Hurricane Katrina, Mark established the New Orleans/Baton Rouge Business Team and served as its first Chairman.
As a senior trial lawyer, Mark concentrates his practice in the areas of environmental and toxic tort litigation, energy and maritime litigation, commercial litigation and complex litigation. By applying the highest analytical skills to determine the best strategic position, and using his sophisticated trial and negotiation skills, Mark is able to deliver the best outcome for his clients.
His other significant contributions include:
- Frequent lecturing on maritime law and offshore/oil field liabilities at professional and industry seminars, including the Construction Risk Conference, the Petroleum Insurance & Environmental Protection Conference, the Loyola Longshore Conference and the PSAM-II, an international conference devoted to the design and operation of technological systems and processes, among others.
- Honored with the "Words of Wisdom" Speakers Award presented by the International Risk Management Institute, Inc. (IRMI) at the Construction Risk Conference in October 2007. He is also a frequent speaker at IRMI conferences, including the 29th Construction Risk Conference held in Washington DC on November 1-5, 2009, where he presented the seminar, "Understanding Maritime Risks and Exposures."
- Co-authoring several articles on maritime law in “The International Risk Management Institute Risk Report.”
- Being listed in Best Lawyers® - Maritime Law. He is also listed in Louisiana Super Lawyers® - Environmental, and Chambers USA - Environment: Litigation. Mark was also named among the New Orleans CityBusiness® Leadership in Law Class of 2009.
- Serving in several professional associations including the New Orleans Association of Defense Counsel and the Defense Research Institute. He is also a Proctor Member of the Maritime Law Association of the United States and a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Lawyers Association.
In the community, Mark serves on the Executive Committee of Greater New Orleans Inc. and is involved in the Super-Region Commission, a collaborative effort between Greater New Orleans, Inc. and the Baton Rouge Area Chamber to focus on beneficial economic outcomes for Southeast Louisiana. He has served on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Jefferson Parish Chamber of Commerce and was the Chamber’s General Counsel. He is also a member of the Jefferson Business Council.
He formerly served as the Co-Chair of the Christian Brothers School’s Capital Campaign and Chairman of the Archbishop’s Community Appeal.
Mark enjoys being with his family, following the interests and activities of his children, doing charitable and community work and playing golf. He admires Johnny Unitas because “he was a simple man with average talent who overachieved and attained greatness as a professional quarterback. His motto can be applied in most aspects of life: ‘Talk is cheap, just play the game.’”
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