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Guest Book Page One | Page Two | Page Three
One of the main reasons I joined Howrey three years ago was Mark Wegener. His demeanor, sincerity, and wisdom immediately came across during our interview. I knew in a minute he was a trial lawyer's trial lawyer: the kind of stand-up, instantly credible courtroom advocate we all aspire to be. We just clicked and I knew I'd found my new home. I was so looking forward to trying a case with Mark, but sadly he's been taken away far too early. My deepest condolences to Mark's family and his closest friends. We were lucky to call Mark a friend and partner.
-- Ben Riley
Howrey Partner
I am deeply saddened to learn of Mark's passing. I met Mark 23 years ago when he interviewed me for an associate position at Howrey. Although we worked together only infrequently on substantive matters during my 16 years at the firm, I was fortunate to get to know him as an great lawyer and an even more outstanding leader. Mark knew how to connect with people. The thing that I will always remember most fondly about Mark is the genuine passion that he brought to all aspects of his work for the firm and its clients, and for our profession. As Mark's family goes through this extremely difficult time, I hope they take comfort knowing what a profoundly positive impact Mark had -- and will continue to have -- on friends and colleagues at Howrey and in the broader legal community. May his memory be a blessing.
-- Scott Arnold
Dickstein Shapiro LLP
Dear Donna and Children: We were so sorry to hear of Mark's passing. Donna over the many years we have not seen each other I have thought of you and Mark Often. Remembering the days when Tara and Dave were babies. Again, we are so sorry. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
-- Karen and Jim Stern
Donna & family: we so share your loss...
all our love
-- Fred & Ron
I was Mark Wegener’s secretary for 10 years. I was able to witness his brilliance as an attorney and the love he had for his wife and children. His clients were important to him, but never more so than his family. It didn’t matter who he might be meeting with or speaking with on the phone, my instructions were to always interrupt him for his wife Donna, and his children, Tara, David and Missy. I will always remember Mark and my prayers shall forever be with his family.
-- Cynthia Dockery
I personally did not know Mr. Wegener. I have only been employed here at Howrey for a year. However, reading the kind words of others about this giant of a man brings tears to my eyes about his passing. To know that someone of his character worked here says something to all of us. I am proud to know that I work in a place where he worked. My thoughts and prayers go out to his immediate family and his extended family here at Howrey. Just remember we are not given more than we can bear.
-- Shafeqah Uqdah
Howrey Benefits Coordinator
Susan and I were shocked and terribly saddened to hear of Mark's passing. Our hearts go out to Donna, the children, grandchild, and Mark's many colleagues at Howrey (where I practiced with Mark for 17 years). Although Mark was younger than me, I always looked up to him as a true example of the "All-American" guy in the very best sense of the word: totally loyal to family, firm and friends; highly intelligent; a genuine role model; modest; and extraordinarily hard-working. 've known few lawyers who worked as long and hard as Mark. This is a great and untimely loss.
-- Harvey G. Sherzer, Esq.
Partner Dickstein Shapiro LLP
I have been very fortunate to have been the Caretaker for Mark and Donna's beautiful summer home in Chatham, on Cape Cod, for many years. I will miss dearly the man I looked forward to seeing at the beginning of each season. It has been a pleasure to know and work for such an honorable and complimentary person. God Speed Mark.
-- Rich Benson
I met Mark for the first time in September 2000 when I arrived in Washington DC for my interviews prior to joining the firm. I met him for dinner the day I arrived, somewhat bleary-eyed and not entirely sure what I was doing sneaking away from my comfortable London existence to interview with Howrey. Mark answered that question. He immediately impressed me with the enthusiasm of both his welcome and for the firm. And with his questioning of me. It was a subtle, yet highly convivial, cross-examination. He was a fabulous ambassador for the firm and a very significant factor in attracting so many excellent people to it. Over the 8 years I knew him, I came to appreciate his support, and enjoy his company and sense of humour, greatly. His presentations at the partners' retreat were always eagerly anticipated because they were simply excellent and so much fun. He was a most impressive man and it was a great pleasure to have known him. We will all miss him.
-- Richard Willoughby
Howrey Partner
From the day I met him nearly thirty years ago, this man has been an inspiration; a beacon of leadership and integrity. He had the humility to serve and the courage to illuminate the way. Good bye, my friend.
-- William E. Wallace III
Milbank
This is Elisa Nierow's brother Adam. I echo similar sentiments about "Uncle Mark" and the Wegener family. Mark was such a kind, gentle, smart, humble and patient man. His loving nature could always be felt. I'm blessed to have had the privelege of growing up around him and the rest of his wonderful family. And of course, I must thank the Wegeners for helping name me (as my sister pointed out). My heart goes out to them during this very difficult time.
Much love always,
-- Adam Nierow
I have known Mark for the last two decades, and was honored to work more closely with him over the last eight years. I, like so many others, feel a deep loss. As others have more eloquently stated, Mark was always concerned with the highest standards of excellence and integrity, in absolutely all matters. As a result, anyone who dealt with Mark always made sure that they did everything possible to meet that standard, challenging us to be more, and do more, than we ever thought possible. I learned so much from Mark and his leadership, especially when dealing with difficult issues. His manner was so even-tempered and respectful at all times. When Mark said something, everyone knew that his comments would be insightful and important. I know that it was through Mark’s actions and support that I was provided many opportunities. Mark provided these opportunities to me and to so many others without ever asking for acknowledgments and without ever suggesting that we were indebted to him (although I certainly know that I am), and he always seemed a bit uncomfortable when I thanked him, because, for him, he was just doing what any person and leader should do. He was a great man and I feel so privileged to have known him.
-- Joanne Caruso
Howrey Partner
My name is Elisa and my parents were very close to Mark and Donna for over 30 years. (They even helped name by brother, Adam). Most of my childhood memories consist of going to "Auntie Donna" and "Uncle Mark's" house (or vice versa) and playing with Tara, and laughing the day away with the Wegeners. (My husband and I even stole their "perch" game.) My father is somewhat picky when it comes to choosing friends, and my dad could not have loved Uncle Mark any more. Mark was truly a kind-hearted, loving and genuine person who will forever be etched in my fond memories of those special times. My deepest love and sympathy.
Love,
--Elisa Nierow
I knew Mark as my counsel, my mentor and above all, my friend. I began working with Mark when I was an in-house counsel for Mobil Oil in the mid-1990s, and I can truly say that I never have met (nor will I ever meet) a finer person, lawyer and gentleman. Mark was the consummate trial lawyer - he understood the difference between being a litigator and a trial lawyer, and I always had the utmost confidence that my client's interests, in the most significant and sensitive of situations, could not be better served by anyone else in the profession. The quality that most impressed me about Mark was his dignity. It gave him a bearing that commanded respect in whatever setting we were involved. I will miss him.
-- Dennis O. Wilson
Assistant Secretary, Assistant General Counsel and Chief Litigation Counsel
Rohm and Haas Company
I first met Mark when I interviewed with the firm in 1998. Happily, he had previously worked with several of my colleagues in my former Delaware firm, so my “interview” was really more of a pleasant conversation concerning some of the cases that Mark had litigated in Wilmington. While I unfortunately never had the opportunity to work with Mark on a case, like others I have great respect for Mark’s dedication to our profession. It was clear to me that Mark loved every minute of being a lawyer, and whether it was through a speech at a firm retreat or a morning chat in the coffee area, his enthusiasm shone through.
I also learned that Mark was the sort of guy who put his pants on one leg at a time. As has been mentioned elsewhere, Mark had a house on Cape Cod. A few years ago I was flying to Rhode Island to visit family, and I noticed that Mark was on the same flight to Providence. At the time, I was doing a lot of traveling on USAirways and got upgraded to first class. I assumed that Mark would have purchased a first class ticket. I was wrong. Mark was seated about as far back in coach as you could get without sitting on the plane’s tail. When we got to Providence, we chatted at the rental car counter. Mark was delighted that he was heading up to the Cape for the weekend, and perhaps even more delighted that he had gotten such a good deal on the flight. I learned then that Mark, while he had achieved great things in life, had not let his success go to his head. He will be missed.
-- Peter Tracey
Howrey Partner
I didn’t have an opportunity to know Mark for very long, being a relative new-comer to the Howrey family, but when there were opportunities to talk (partner retreats and other Howrey functions) and during the one time when we worked together for a Howrey Preferred Provider Client, there were two things about him that were obvious. He took great pride being able to deliver the high quality service and expertise that is the Howrey hallmark, a level of quality that he fostered by the standards he maintained for himself and as an example to others. The second obvious characteristic he revealed was his genuine interest in the welfare of his colleagues and their families. On occasion we’d swap stories about the successes of our respective daughters. You could tell his interest in these stories was genuine. I was always surprised when on subsequent occasions he would to ask about mine and how each was doing. I will miss hearing his stories.
-- Don Martin
Chairman, CapAnalysis
Donna and Mark met in the law school library of Rutgers University in 1971. They became very close friends. We met Mark a short time later. After a few hours George and I fell in love with him. He was so at ease, and immediately his caring and loving personality was obvious. That caring and loving personality persisted throughout his life. For the 36 years that Mark and Donna were married, we his in-laws played such an integral part in his life and he in ours. It was a joy to be in his company.
We will always love him and we shall miss him terribly.
-- Rose and George Chait (Donna’s Parents)
I had the honor of working with Mark for only a brief period of time but could immediately admire his seemingly endless love for his family and for Howrey. When Mark walked into a room, you knew you were in the presence of someone special. I admire his style of leadership and will never forget his passion for creating a culture of success that will be just one of his many legacies. Words that describe Mark: leader, visionary, compassionate, captivating, humorous and winner. We have all lost an amazing man, colleague and friend. God bless the Wegener family.
-- Jonathan Wagy
Howrey Financial Analyst
An Iowa man through and through -- honest, courageous and true -- who played the game straight by the rules. He was a tremendous example to all of us. We mourn deeply his loss and our whole profession is much lessened by his passing.
-- John O'Neill
Howrey Partner
It is an honor to say that I remember Mark's first day with the firm -- it would be very difficult for me to forget his quiet manner and direct ways as it was quite an effective combination. However, for all his quiet demeanor, he had a terrific sense of humor which many of us were lucky enough to observe -- especially during the long, long nights and early mornings while waiting for documents to be completed in the Word Processing Department -- it was lively to say the least. Mark treated the staff with respect and valued everyone's contribution to the firm's success. We each have special memories of this very special person. God's Speed, Mark.
-- Helen Kelly
Howrey Director, Admin. Services
I had the privilege of working with Mark for over five years. Mark and I both grew up on a farm in Iowa and went to the same small college in Iowa. He was fiercely proud of that and how it had given us a strong base to grow from. We often joked how two farm boys from Iowa could be helping to run one of the largest law firms in the world.
Our meetings every week were always short and to the point. He knew what he wanted to focus on that day and I knew that I better have the information he wanted. He could effectively review issues in record-breaking time. Then we always talked about our kids and how they were doing. He was so proud of his children and especially his new grand child. I remember last year when my son got in a car accident and how upset I was. Mark helped me understand how it was something that every child goes through and how lucky I was that my son was not badly hurt. Mark believed that family comes first in your life and everybody who worked for Mark understood that.
My favorite moments about Mark were when he would give his presentation to the partners at the annual partnership retreat. Not everybody realized that getting ready for these presentation usually took over three months. I always felt Mark was a frustrated Hollywood actor or director. His sense of humor and timing with his presentations were unbelievable, but I learned over the years that I worked with him is that is how he approached everything. He was a perfectionist who kept life in perspective.
Finally, Mark was the ultimate team player. He always tried to give credit for his success to his team and that is why everybody enjoyed working with Mark. He knew that you are only as good as the team that supports you.
He will be missed by everyone who had the good fortune of knowing him.
-- Bob Koenen
Former COO at Howrey
Guest Book Page One | Page Two | Page Three
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