Mark Levison Honored for Leadership of the St. Louis Internship Program
Mark Levison (Litigation/Real Estate/Government Relations - St. Louis) was honored last week by the St. Louis Internship Program (SLIP). Mr. Levison was recognized for his successful leadership of the organization and, in particular, his role as the program originator. The internship was designed to provide minority high school students, who might have an interest in the legal profession, the chance to intern for the summer with local law firms.
Founded in 1992, SLIP was quickly expanded to include 80 different professions, although the legal component of the internship program remains its base. The program has received many awards from organizations such as the American Bar Association, and has inspired bar associations across the country to launch similar programs.
Mr. Levison served as Co-Chair and President of the internship program since its inception 17 years ago. During this span of time, the students have had the good fortune of having been visited by dignitaries including the Vice President of the United States, Supreme Clerk Judge Clarence Thomas, Governor Mel Carnahan, and most recently the first African-American President of the Missouri Bar, Charlie Harris. Mr. Levison has spoken about this program throughout the country, and at latest count the program was replicated in 37 different cities. In addition to interning, the students also have the chance to participate in a moot court competition. The firm's St. Louis office has participated in the program for the last six years.
Having served as a member of the Missouri Legislature's subcommittee on the Privatization of Government Services and on the staffs of the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives, Levison is now General Counsel of the Urban League of St. Louis and was recently appointed to the Land Reutilization Authority (LRA) of the City of St. Louis, by Mayor Francis Slay.
In addition to serving as BAMSL president, Mr. Levison served as President of the Lawyers Association of St. Louis and in September, will become the longest serving member of the Board of Governors of the Missouri Bar, having been elected to the organization which governs Missouri lawyers, eight different times. Levison has represented corporations in litigation matters in a wide variety of industries and has served as lead counsel for many St. Louis institutions involving sophisticated real estate transactions and land use issues.
About Lathrop Gage:
A leading Midwest full-service law firm, Lathrop Gage L.C. has approximately 300 attorneys in 10 offices nationwide – from Denver, Colo. to New York, New York. In 2007, Chambers USA ranked Lathrop Gage’s corporate, environmental, intellectual property, litigation, real estate and labor and employment teams among the best in the Midwest. For more information, visit www.lathropgage.com.