More About Mark
Personal
Mark is the proud father of two outstanding daughters, Stephanie and Maggie.
The family traditon in Racine reaches back to his grandfather, who owned Junction Dry Cleaners in Uptown Racine from the 1920's, followed by his father, a professional engineer. That office Nielsen, Madsen & Barber, was just a half block down from the tailor shop on the same street. Breaking with tradition, Mark established his own office a mile away, but again on the same street, in downtown Racine.
Mark grew up in West Racine and attended Racine public and Catholic elementary schools. He graduated from Washington Park High School, where he was captain of the debate team and took a first in extemporaneous speaking. He is a proud member of the Washington Park High School Hall of Fame.
Mark then graduated from UW-Parkside, where he received an honors BA with a double major in Economics and Political Science. Upon graduation he was voted by the faculty "Outstanding Graduate in Social Sciences". In 2012 he received the "Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award" in recognition of his contributions to the community.
The only significant amount of time that Mark has lived outside of the county was during his time at Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. While he thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity Harvard offered him, he was happy to return to Racine to start his career.
In addition to his work in the law, Mark is noted for his ability as a mediocre carpenter, an occasional weightlifter, and a good southside neighbor for the last 30 years.
Professional
Professional:
Judge, City of Racine Municipal Court (2006-Present)
Trial lawyer, Schwartz, Tofte & Nielsen, Ltd. (1982-Present)
Circuit Court Commissioner, Racine County (1987- Present)
Assistant District Attorney, Racine County (1979-1982)
Education:
Harvard Law School, JD 1979
University of Wisconsin - Parkside BA 1976
*Faculty Prize, Outstanding Graduate in Social Sciences (1976)
*Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award (2012)
*Outstanding Alumni Volunteer (1989, 1991)
Washington Park High School 1972
*Hall of Fame, inducted 2001
Service:
Chair, Supreme Court's District Committee on Ethics for
Racine County (2009-2015)
Arbitrator, State Bar (1998- Present)
Chair, Criminal Law Committee Racine Bar (2000-2002) (1984-1986)
Lecturer, Evidence and Procedure:
Wisconsin Trial Lawyers, State Municipal Judges Association, Wisconsin Bar Advanced Trial Seminar. SPD Conference, Annual lecturer on evidence to the Judges' Trial Seminar for WMJA
Recognitions:
AV Rated, 5.0 (Highest possible peer rating in ability & ethics)
Wisconsin Super Lawyers, 2006 through 2015
Who's Who in American Law
AVVO 10.0 (superb) rating
Profile, "Legal Eagle", Racine Journal Times, January 2001
NBTA Certified Trial Advocate, 1998, 2003, 2008