Langdon & Emison attorney Mark Emison was recognized as one of Missouri’s top lawyers under 40 at the annual Up & Coming Awards ceremony hosted by Missouri Lawyers Weekly on Oct. 7, 2016. Mark was honored for his work in personal injury litigation in his first 10 years of practice as well as his pro bono work on the Michael Politte wrongful conviction case.
“They’re from all over the state and practice all types of law, but here’s what they have in common – each is accomplished and has exhibited, day in and day out, incredible dedication to the profession and their communities,” said Missouri Lawyers Weekly Publisher Liz Irwin.
Mark’s legal practice spans an array of personal injury litigation involving defective products, trucking accidents, road construction defects, propane explosions and other instances of negligence and wrongful death. He joined Langdon & Emison as an associate in 2010.
Mark’s recognition stems from his success as a trial attorney and his commitment to volunteerism within the legal profession and his community. In December 2015, Mark served as co-lead counsel on a one-week trial that resulted in a $4.5 million jury verdict for a U.S. Marine who suffered career-ending injuries, including a fractured thoracic vertebrate and a traumatic brain injury, in an auto accident.
Mark also serves on multiple boards of legal organizations, including the Midwest Innocence Project (MIP), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the investigation, litigation and exoneration of wrongfully convicted men and women. Mark is working closely with MIP executive director Tricia Bushnell to litigate the Michael Politte case and prove Politte’s innocence.
Politte is serving a life sentence for the death of his mother, who was found dead in their home in December 1998 after suffering blunt force trauma to the head and being set on fire. Michael was arrested days later at the age of 14. Politte has consistently maintained his innocence.
“MIP has hundreds of cases under review, but we felt that our firm was a good fit to work on Michael Politte’s case because we believe in his innocence and can bring our experience and expertise in fire-related cases,” Mark said.
Each year, Missouri Lawyer’s Weekly selects attorneys for the Up & Coming Award based on their demonstration of excellence and their potential to make a difference in the legal profession and their communities. Mark accepted the Up & Coming award with family and friends in attendance.