ICON Honors 2023: Mark H. Levison, Lashly & Baer

Mark H. Levison has handled cases for big names from Bayer to BASF and has represented pro athletes like Jerry Rice.

“But you know,” mused the 75-year-old St. Louis native, “in truth, the thing I’ve always felt the best about is when I won a case for somebody who couldn’t afford to hire me.”

That sentiment is important to Levison. A recipient of the President’s Outstanding Service Award from the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and the 2021 Diversity & Inclusion Award from Missouri Lawyers Media, Levison is the longest serving member of the Missouri Bar’s Board of Governors. In fact, he is one of only two lawyers in the history of the state bar to serve on its board and serve as president of BAMSL as well as leading the Trial Lawyers Association of St. Louis. Additionally, he has been the St. Louis Bar Foundation’s vice-president.

In the larger community, the Washington University graduate has served as chairman of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis during the COVID pandemic and chairs the city’s Land Revitalization Authority. He is also past president of PayBack, Inc. and the St. Louis Internship Program. He has served on the boards of both Operation Impact and Boys and Girls Club of St. Louis.

In the legal world, his employment history includes time at Lathrop & Gage and Polsinelli where he started the firm’s public law department in St. Louis. Since 2012, he’s been at his present firm where he does litigation, government relations and real estate work.

He also founded and ran a nationally syndicated column group for legal analysis and satire. Levison is a past editor-in-chief of St. Louis Lawyer.

His nominator calls him “an unstoppable, aggressive advocate” who has succeeded in a wide range of practice areas.

“But, more importantly,” they wrote, “he is a deeply caring individual who gives and volunteers even more of himself and his time to people and communities who need, and might not otherwise get, such a relentless champion and friend.”