For more than 30 years, Mark has focused his practice on complex white collar defense matters. He has represented clients in federal criminal trials, grand jury investigations, SEC/FINRA enforcement actions and parallel civil investigations. He also regularly conducts internal investigations and counsels clients on the implementation of corporate compliance policies. Mark also represents clients in complex civil litigation matters including representing directors and officers and defending False Claims Act matters.
Mark is a past President of the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Pennsylvania Commission of Sentencing from 2015 -2019. He has testified before both the United States Senate and Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committees and various legislative and judicial task forces on matters relating to federal and state criminal enforcement and grand jury reform. He is also and is a frequent lecturer on these topics.
Mark has built a record of successfully representing corporations, public officials and individuals.
Representative matters include:
Mark also has a broad base of civil trial and appellate experience. He regularly represents parties in complex commercial matters, including actions grounded in fraud and in connection with other business torts. He has tried a number of civil cases in both state and federal courts and argued appeals before the Pennsylvania Supreme and Superior Courts and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He has also served as a mediator in a number of complex business disputes. Mark also has significant bankruptcy litigation experience.
Representative matters include
Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law, J.D., with high honors
Lehigh University, B.A.
Pennsylvania
New York
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court
American Bar Association, White Collar Section
Federal Bar Association, White Collar Section
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Board Member and Past President, Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Vice President, Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania
Member, Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing (2015-2019)
Commerce Court Judge Pro Tempore, Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas
Recognized as a leading Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations attorney in Pennsylvania by Chambers USA (2022-2023)*
Named to “The Best Lawyers in America®” list for Criminal Defense: White Collar and Commercial Litigation in Pennsylvania by Best Lawyers (2016-2024)*
Awarded the Charles P. Gelso President’s Award by the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (2021)
Named to “The Best Lawyers in America®” list for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law by Best Lawyers (2021)*
Named “Best of the Bar: Philadelphia’s Top Lawyers” by Philadelphia Business Journal, White Collar (2017)*
Named the Best Lawyers® 2020 Criminal Defense: White Collar “Lawyer of the Year” in Philadelphia (2020)*
Named to the “Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Top 100 Lawyers” by Thomson Reuters (2018-2020)*
Named to the “Pennsylvania Super Lawyers” list by Thomson Reuters for White Collar Crimes (2005-2023)*
Winner, Corporate Livewire Awards: Fraud & White Collar Crime (2016-2019)
Martindale-Hubbell “AV Preeminent” rated.*
Quoted, “Justice Department left to mop up after flood of PPP fraud in Philadelphia and across the nation,” Philadelphia Business Journal, February 16, 2023
Presenter, “Having a Grand Old Time – Navigating Pennsylvania State and Federal Grand Jury Practice,” PACDL White Collar Seminar, November 11, 2021
Quoted, “Could you face PPP fraud charges? What lawyers are saying about potential risk,” Philadelphia Business Journal, May 15, 2020
Author, “SBA Issues New FAQs Regarding Certification Requirements,” May 13, 2020
Co-Presenter, “WEBINAR: You’ve Gotten a PPP Loan. What Now?” May 12, 2020
Author, “Alert: U.S. Supreme Court Rejects the Government’s Property Fraud Theory and Reverses ‘Bridgegate’ Fraud Convictions,” May 12, 2020
Author, “DOJ Use of the Defense Production Act to Combat Alleged Price Gouging During the COVID-19 Pandemic Raises Significant Questions for Unwary Vendors,” May 4, 2020
Author, “Stepped-Up Enforcement Under the CARES Act Creates Dangers for Even the Most Scrupulous and Unwitting of Applicants,” April 14, 2020
Quoted, “High-profile attorney, firm leader latest to depart Montgomery McCracken,” Philadelphia Business Journal, March 4, 2019
Quoted “Klehr Harrison Adds White-Collar Litigator Sheppard From Montgomery McCracken” The Legal Intelligencer, March 1, 2019
Author, “Second Circuit Reverses ‘Downstream Tippee’ Convictions in Insider Trading Cases” White Collar Alert, December 12, 2014
Author, Tapping into Wall Street – The Government Employs Tougher Tactics Against Money Crimes; American Bar Association – Criminal Justice Newsletter, January 5, 2012
Author, Wiretaps and Undercover Sting Operations: Are White Collar Defendants Ready? Financial Fraud Law Report, October 1, 2010
Testimony before the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary: “The Thompson Memorandum and its Effect upon the Attorney Client Privilege In Corporate Investigations,” September 12, 2006
Mark Sheppard of Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg LLP offers a wealth of experience in white-collar criminal defense matters. He acts for clients facing allegations of corruption, bribery and FCA violations, among others. "He is a fearless lawyer." "I'd recommend him in a heartbeat." "A great trial lawyer."