Background and Education
Mark earned his law degree from Florida State University College of Law in 1982 and his undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida in 1979. His career began as a prosecutor for the State Attorney’s office in Seminole County. He then chose to cross to the other side of the courtroom and use his talents as a criminal defense attorney.
Qualifications and Certifications
Mark is one of the most highly educated attorneys in Central Florida and is often called upon to serve as co-counsel by other law firms representing clients in very challenging criminal cases or divorce matters. He is one of only a few lawyers in Florida who has achieved the following certifications:
Mr. O’Mara has practiced in state and federal courts throughout the eastern seaboard and has served as co-counsel on challenging legal matters nationwide. As a trial consultant, Mr. O’Mara helps other lawyers perform at their peak in trials that involve complicated legal issues and are subject to intense media scrutiny.
Educator
Mr. O’Mara has served as an educator for young lawyers entering the legal field. He has taught classes and seminars at the following:
Honors and Accolades
Professional Memberships
Mr. O’Mara is honored to be a member of the National Trial Lawyers organization, an invitation-only selection of the top 100 civil or criminal lawyers from each state. One of his proudest moments was being chosen to lead the organization as its President for the 2019-2020 year.
Notable Achievements
While leading the high-profile defense of George Zimmerman, Mr. O’Mara received acclaim for his even-handed management of the controversial case. His on-camera experience during the trial earned him a spot as a CNN legal analyst, a position he has held since 2013. Since the verdict, Mr. O’Mara has decided to use his voice to contribute to the national conversation about race, guns, self-defense, the media, and the criminal justice system, speaking frequently on these topics.
Justice Outreach
Mr. O’Mara started a non-profit organization called Justice Outreach, designed to identify and correct problems with the justice system, particularly in juvenile justice, and he is an advocate for change in state and national laws that lead to the over-prosecution of American citizens, whether by unbridled prosecutors or inappropriately applied minimum mandatory sentencing requirements.
Mark O’Mara has been involved in a variety of local, statewide, and national charitable, educational, and professional organizations over his 35-year career, believing in the adage he learned from his father that to whom much is given, much is required. (Luke 12:48)
As part of his dedication to the group, he is focusing on helping present a Summit Continuing Legal Education program focused on training lawyers on how to stay healthy, in both body and spirit, as they take on the stress and troubles of their clients.
