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Mark has been a leader, mentor, friend, and father figure since I started at Howrey in 2000. I had the privilege of being in the trenches with Mark on three trials. Mark exemplified the kind of lawyer and leader that I -- and that we all -- should strive to be. Not a day goes by that I am not confronted with an issue that leads me to ask "what would Wegener do?" He was a unqiue commander who never closed his ears to the views of anyone on his team. Among other things, Mark left us his stories, his compassionate leadership, his wagging finger, his understated chuckle, his power at the podium, and his tender guidance.
-- Marc Cohn
Howrey Senior Associate
Over many years I had the privilege of working as inside counsel with Mark on numerous cases. I never knew a finer lawyer or gentleman. I am sure that I learned more litigation techniques from Mark than any other lawyer. I especially remember our encounters with the Attorney General of Lithuania in the late 1990s. The AG was a most formidable and stout lady, who had a tendency to try and overpower her adversaries. However, she really met her match in Mark! Our legal system has lost a really great champion. I know that his family has lost a wonderful father and husband. ExxonMobil has lost a wonderful advocate and, finally, I have lost a friend. We all will miss him as we cherish his memory.
-- Ed Beck
Law Department,
Exxon Mobil Corporation
The best thing is thinking about how embarrassed Mark would have been about our comments, and how true they all are. My memories of Mark are all about quality. One highlight for me was always his discreet but definitive sense of humour. Mark was exceptionally dignified and clever, but he also had a lovely sense of fun. We had one great conversation about the film "The Queen", and whether or not it was a true portrait, and what we would say if we met the Queen. At another point he was wondering aloud about whether to have a place in London, because he knew it would be a place that the whole family would like to come to from time to time. Royalty, property -- definitely two lawyers speaking.
Mark's vision was clear and straight. He expressed himself beautifully. He is a great motivator. I don't think I had the chance to meet the Wegener family, but from his mentions of you, you meant the world to him. We cannot share in the family's private pain, but we can underscore for you how wonderful he was and how much he loved you. And how he will live on in our memories. He's an outstanding gentleman.
With love,
-- Melanie Willems
Howrey Partner
I met Mark about 7 years ago when I was invited to dinner in downtown Washington, to meet Chris’ new in-laws to be. My son Chris was engaged to Tara and this was our first meeting. Both Donna and Mark were so welcoming, it all was very natural from the beginning. I was struck then by Mark’s kindness and genuine interest. You knew immediately that this was a very special man. Your children are your finest accomplishments, and Tara is an example of that. She is a wonderful, loving wife and mother, daughter and sister, and I am very proud to be her mother-in-law, and of course she a direct result of both Mark and Donna’s influence. I feel blessed to have known Mark for such a short period of time and I will always consider him to be one of the finest men that I have met. Words do not express what a loss this is for his family and for all who knew him.
-- Nancy Lamond
With deep sadness we have learned here in Munich about the death of our highly esteemed partner and friend Mark. I will not forget the warm welcome to Howrey he gave to me and my partners here in Munich showing his true personal interest in integrating new partners and offices into the unique spirit and culture of Howrey. His battle versus this terrible disease did unfortunately not allow us to work more intensively together on building up a litigation practice here in Munich. We will miss him terribly. We will continue to work hard for the values to which he was so dedicated at our firm.
Having lost many well beloved members of my family to cancer, including my mother who was called to God at the same young age as Mark, I am in my prayers with Mark and his family in these days. It is our faith that our death is not the end of our life in hopeless darkness but the door we all have to pass to our redemption and a life with God in heaven.
-- Dr. Joachim Feldges
Howrey Partner
I learned from Mark to always strive to make things short, crisp and clear.
His impact on my life is immeasurable. His impact on Howrey LLP is immeasurable. Those of us who had the great and good fortune to work with him closely will never forget and will always benefit from what he taught us and how he encouraged us. His drive and determination to be the best and to be better everday rubbed off on anyone who came within five feet of him. He was and will always be a Master of the Universe. He was truly one of a kind.
I will never forget him. May God Bless the Wegener family and everyone who loved him.
-- Ralph Allen
Howrey Chief Operating Officer
I met Mark almost 30 years ago when he took me out to lunch on my first day as an associate at the firm. He spent the lunch telling me story after story about his cases. I sat there overwhelmed by his unbridled enthusiasm. There was no mistaking it -- he loved what he did and he did it so very well. He was a mentor to many and he was always so generous with his time. For those fortunate to work closely with him there were life lessons offered up at every turn. It was always a simple equation -- dedication, hard work, focus and teamwork yielded excellent results. He taught by example -- treating everyone with kindness, dignity and respect. He was serious when he needed to be, but he had a terrific sense of humor. Mark loved to laugh, but he absolutely relished making others laugh.
Over the years, Mark was a mentor to me and a wonderful friend. For many years we worked together overseeing the firm's recruiting efforts. He brought the same dedication and focus to that effort as he did to everything else. He was so excited when he saw potential in a young lawyer and he was so proud to see those summer associates and lateral associates who were hired under his watch develop into outstanding partners. Throughout our firm, throughout Washington DC and the US, there are many, many lawyers whose early careers were shaped by the mentorship that Mark offered so generously. In the years we worked together we agreed on everything except for the early starting time he set for recruiting meetings. We teased him that it was a throwback to his days growing up on a farm. He smiled, he laughed that terrifically hearty laugh, but the starting time stuck -- there was work to be done and the whole day was waiting.
Mark was so proud to be a partner at Howrey and so proud to represent his clients. But more than anything else---he was so very, very proud of his family. For a man private about many things, he was unabashedly open about his love for Donna and for his children, Tara, David and Missy. Conversations with Mark were regularly punctuated with stories about his family. It was a joy to watch him as he spoke about his family and he shared his pride in their accomplishments. His face lit up, his eyes sparkled and the stories flowed. When I returned last summer he had new stories to tell and he couldn't wait to share them. It wasn't about a case or client, although he had so many successes we could have discussed. We talked about Lucy, his darling granddaughter. He showed me picture after picture and his face lit up, his eyes sparkled and the stories flowed.
It was my good fortune to work with Mark. It was a privilege to have been his friend.
-- Eileen Billinson
Howrey Chief Associate Career Management Officer
I first became acquainted with Mark Wegener in 1973 when he joined the firm. I was his first secretary. Mark and I came from similar backgrounds — German heritage and a farming background. I considered this a fortuitous sign of good things to come. He was assigned to an office overlooking the alley where the removal of the trash from the night before often interrupted his work. I believe young associates were tested with that office assignment — anyone who complained surely is not cut out for the arduous task of becoming a top-notch lawyer. Mark Wegener did not complain. He was as serious and hard working then as he was all of his life. At that time, I did not know where he had set his professional sights; it was obvious, however, that he wanted to be the best he could possibly be. He loved the law. We parted ways several years later, after the birth of his first child, Tara, and the reward of a more scenic office.
Mark and I reconnected in 2001 when, as luck would have it, he needed a secretary and I needed a boss. Was I interested? I jumped at the offer. The eight years that followed were professionally rewarding ones for me. I quickly became aware of the respect, admiration and loyalty he received from those who worked closely with him. Mark was focused, he set a high standard of excellence, and he didn’t waste anyone’s time. Character and integrity -- that was Mark.
Mark delighted in his family. Donna was his love; and he was so proud of his children, Tara, Missy, and David. He often remarked what fine young adults they had become. During the past two years he became the typical proud grandfather, showing off the latest cute pictures of Lucy.
In the office, I often would hear him coming down the hall, stopping to chat along the way. Many times I heard him say, “So, are you on top of your game?” Mark Wegener was always on top of his game!
-- Anne Kusserow
Mark’s Secretary
Due to a brief illness away from my home on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, I did not learn of Mark’s passing until today (Saturday, 6/7/08). I am broken-hearted, to understate it, and join others with an abiding sense that the firm, including everyone of us and in whatever position, has suffered a terrible loss.
Since the first day Mark arrived at the firm in the 1970s until many years later when I was the last of the founding partners to retire, Mark was a colleague so loyal, dependable, capable, trustworthy, steady, thoughtful and kind that none of us could possibly imagine a time when we would be without him. Now that the time has come, it seems impossible to accept. Yet we own him this as a measure of our gratitude and admiration for what he did for us and the enormous contribution he made to the firm. The words of St Paul are especially suited to Mark: “I served well, I finished the race, I kept the faith.” He will be warmly welcomed, I am sure, by his other colleagues who have preceded him to a happier place. And I hope Donna and the children will derive much consolation from the extraordinary love and respect all of have for Mark and the family.
-- Dave Murchison
Howrey Founding Partner
My wife and I originally knew Donna through her parents, who were close friends of my wife's parents. When Mark and Donna were engaged, we got to know Mark. Even in those days, long ago, it was clear that Mark was headed for great accomplishments in the legal field. The news of his "much to early passing" came as a shock to both my wife and I. Because of differences in geography we never saw Mark or Donna frequently, but our memories of Mark are vivid. The scope of this loss to his friends and colleagues is easy to grasp, even having not seen him in many years.
-- Genie and Bob Windholz
I knew Mark for over 30 years, but I didn’t really know him until about 5 years ago, when I started working with him as co-chair of the firm’s Global Litigation Group.
I learned he was a husband who loved his wife Donna as deeply as a husband can love a wife. I learned he was a father who was so very proud of his daughters Missy and Tara and his son David that those of us who saw Mark regularly would hear about them regularly. I learned to appreciate him even more than I had as a law firm partner who contributed so so much to the success of Howrey and the success of those of us who worked with him. I learned he was a counselor to many, a colleague to others, and a friend to those who would grasp his hand.
Mark was loyal, trustworthy, honest and supportive. He was a man of character. I don’t use these words lightly. Mark was a person who could be counted on when the door was closed and you weren't there.
Mark sometimes quoted others and, of course, he had his favorites. One quote he did not say, but I will use here because it is so true and I think Mark would have gotten a kick out of it. Professor Scott Ellege on his retirement from Cornell said: "It is time I stepped aside for a less experienced and less able man." Mark stepped aside much too early and cannot be replaced by any man, period.
We will miss you Mark. I am proud to say you were my friend and my partner.
-- Bob Abrams
Howrey Partner
Co-Chair, Global Litigation
He was a dear friend and colleague. He inspired, taught and advised us. He was generous with his time and talent and he personified what it is to be a gentleman. He was tough on others, but also on himself. He had an extraordinary drive to excel and he wanted all of us to share that drive. He loved his life. He adored Donna. He loved his children and through the years many of us heard stories about their accomplishments. He was so proud. He had a passion for books, music and film. (How many of us read a book because he recommended it highly? How many of us saw a movie on his recommendation?) He believed in all of us and he had faith that Howrey would continue to prosper and be the best of the best. He will be missed. He will be remembered.
-- Cecilia Gonzalez
Howrey Partner
Mark hired me as a lateral associate in 1993 and during my twelve year tenure at Howrey, Mark became not just a partner and colleague but a mentor, a loyal friend, a confidant and in many ways a role model. I learned many things from Mark: not just about the practice of law but about the practice of life which we found ourselves frequently discussing. Mark introduced me to the writings of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, the author of "Flow," who wrote that we can enhance every day enjoyment and the quality of lives by immersing ourselves fully in our daily activities, including our work, and by devoting ourselves to the activities in which we can do so. Mark succeeded in achieving "flow" from work more than any lawyer I have ever known, and in that way, and in many other ways, he was and always will be an inspiration to me. I admired Mark in so many ways and always will: for his intellect, his legal skills, his drive, his leadership, and his integrity. But what I valued and will continue to miss the most about Mark is how much I just enjoyed working and being with him. We had many moments together in and outside the office when we laughed so hard about one thing or another that we had to wipe the tears from our eyes. Everyone who was fortunate enough to spend a lot of time with Mark had moments like that, and I will forever remember many of mine. I will always miss my friend Mark Wegener, and I know that for a long time I will be joining not just his family but also his countless friends and colleagues in and outside the firm who will now be wiping away tears of sorrow at our loss. My heart and thoughts are with all of you.
-- Edward Schwartz
Former Partner
I am very, very sad of this news. All this time I was still hoping of a recovery or a miracle & had some great plans I wanted to do with you. God has a different plan. Mark, I will miss you dearly.
-- Armando
Cape Cod neighbor
I only had the privilege of working on one matter with Mr. Wegener, but he made a lasting, positive impression. He cared about his clients, he cared about the people he worked with and he cared most of all about getting to the core issues with candor and integrity. Even those of us who did not work with him much and did not know him as well as others will miss his presence.
-- Oliver Grawe
The CapAnalysis Group, LLC
My heart goes out to Donna, Mark’s children and family, and to his extended family at Howrey. We grieve with you over the loss of a great man. Words that describe my admiration, respect and affection for Mark escape me. I had the privilege and honor of working with and counting him as a friend for nearly eight years. He was a towering figure in Howrey and in the trial bar. Mark achieved his stature through incredibly hard work and an unending enthusiasm and tenacity for solving problems and getting results for everyone in his life, which made him one of the most productive human beings I have ever known.
I find some peace in knowing that as a result of Mark’s incredible passion for life and his energy and verve, he led a full life, despite its ending too soon. Mark accomplished more in a day than most people accomplish in a week or a month. He took great pride in this, but he did it all with great modesty, always insisting that the credit was due elsewhere. No matter how busy Mark was, and he was always working hard on something for someone else, whether it was his family, his partners, his friends or his clients, he always seemed to have personal time for friends and family. Mark always wanted to know more about everyone, spent too little time on himself, and despite his unbridled enthusiasm for his clients, Howrey, business, and the law, seemed to turn to them only reluctantly, wanting first to catch up on people. Whenever I saw Mark in his office, even if I was unannounced, he greeted me with a warm smile and a caring inquiry about me and my family. He reached out in a very special way of friendship to my wife, Qing, when they first met, putting aside his work and all but ignoring me on a two hour train ride the three of us shared to ask about and listen with fascination about her life experiences. She, too, is deeply shaken by his passing, and shares in our grief.
Mark was one of life’s blessings, a deeply caring man of steely integrity, loyalty and character with incredible legal, business and human acumen. He used it all to live life his way, fully, always for others, as much if not more than himself, which was his joy. We can all be grateful to have a piece of him in our hearts and souls to carry the strength of his spirit into the future, which will make us all better people. We have lost a great friend, a great lawyer, a great leader and a great man who we will all be better for having had in our lives.
-- Peter Zeughauser
A friend
Chairman, Zeughauser Group
I met Mark when I was a summer associate at Howrey in 1987. He was enthusiastically involved in all aspects of the summer program and genuinely enjoyed teaching us all about the firm. After I joined Howrey, his teaching continued. I only worked with him directly on a small number of matters but had the chance to observe him working with and mentoring so many of my colleagues. After having been a practicing lawyer for a number of years now, I can truly appreciate Mark’s generosity of spirit and his love of practicing law. He could very easily have decided he didn’t have the time to educat |