Mark D. Temple | Professionals

mtemple@reedsmith.com

Houston
T: +1 713 469 3848
Chicago
T: +1 312 207 2438

Mark is an experienced trial lawyer with a focus on high-stakes business disputes and employment litigation. He has a national practice and also serves as the global practice group leader for Reed Smith’s Labor & Employment practice, which was ranked a “Powerhouse” in complex employment litigation by BTI Litigation Outlook 2019.

Mark has been described by Chambers USA as “an employment litigator who regularly handles significant conflicts for high-profile oil and gas clients across Texas.” Clients told Chambers that Mark is “an excellent lawyer” who is “very business-focused, efficient and understands our client goals,” “calm and even keeled,” “a skillful negotiator,” and “an excellent trial attorney.” Mark has been recognized by Thomson Reuters as one of the “Top 100” lawyers in the State of Texas.

Mark has been quoted and recognized as a leading employment law practitioner by the Houston Business Journal, and has appeared on ABC's evening newscast providing the employers’ perspective on workplace litigation. Many articles Mark has written on employment law topics have been published in legal and business periodicals, including in Forbes. Mark is a co-author of two editions of the Labor Management Law Answer Book, published by Practising Law Institute, and is a frequent speaker at labor and employment seminars.

Mark has led many landmark cases that have made law in the Fifth Circuit. One of these cases was the lead story in Texas Lawyer newspaper, and another was featured in the Houston Chronicle newspaper and described as “a gripping cloak-and-dagger tale.”

Credentials

South Texas College of Law, 1995, J.D., Order of the Lytae; Articles Editor, Corporate Counsel Review
Texas A&M University, 1992, B.B.A., Management, magna cum laude

Texas

U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Texas
U.S. District Court - Northern District of Texas
U.S. District Court - Southern District of Texas
U.S. District Court - Western District of Texas
U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. District Court - Western District of Michigan
U.S. District Court - Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court - District of Colorado
U.S. District Court - Northern District of Oklahoma
U.S. District Court - New Mexico
U.S. Court of Appeals - Fifth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals - Ninth Circuit

Awards & Recognition

Recognized by Houstonia Magazine as a Houston Top Lawyer, Labor and Employment, 2017
Recognized by Chambers USA as one of America’s leading labor and employment lawyers (Texas, 2015–2018)
Thomson Reuters, selected as one of the “Top 100 Lawyers in Texas,” Texas Super Lawyers, 2016–2019
Thomson Reuters, selected as one of the “Top 100 Lawyers in Houston,” Texas Super Lawyers, 2016–2019
Selected for the Texas Super Lawyers list (Employment Litigation), 2013–2018
- Selected to Rising Stars, 2004–2006, 2008–2009
Recognized by Legal 500 – Workplace and Employment Counseling
- 2018
- 2017: Mark Temple provides “well-considered advice.”
Recognized by Legal 500 – Labor - Management Relations for 2018
Recognized by Legal 500 – Labor and Employment Disputes (including Collective Actions: Defense)
- 2018
- 2017: Mark Temple, who divides his time between Houston and Chicago, “can be relied upon consistently.”
Recognized by Legal 500 USA for “Labor and Employment Disputes (Including Collective Actions): Defense” for 2016
Fellow and Nominating Committee Member, Texas Bar Foundation

Court Work

Justice William B Cannon, 14th Court of Appeals of the State of Texas
Justice Bob Gammage, Texas Supreme Court

Pro Bono Work/ Outside Work

Teacher, Faith-Based Program, Texas Prison System
JP/HRO (Haiti relief - in country)
Group Coordinator, Houston Food Bank

Notable Quotes

17 October 2018 “The 8 Firms GCs Want For Employment Work” Law360
19 May 2016 "“Houston Employment Lawyer: ‘We Might See Some Layoffs’” Houston Business Journal
15 January 2016 “Fair Credit Reporting Act – A Flashpoint for Litigation and Regulatory Action” Corporate Counsel Advisory
15 July 2015 “Attorneys React to DOL Misclassification Guidance” Law360
14 April 2015 “How SEC-KBR Tussle Could Shake Up Secrecy for Houston’s Largest Companies” Houston Business Journal
18 March 2015 “Employers’ March Madness Dos and Don’ts Lineup” Law360
11 March 2015 “Must a Company Reveal Trade Secrets to Prove Trade Secret Theft” Executive Risk Network
9 March 2015 “Trade Secret Suits Can Lead to Spilling Trade Secrets” Corporate Counsel
8 November 2014 “Employers Try to Find a Policy Path for Ebola” Austin-American Statesman
10 April 2014 “Let’s Talk About Pay Equality in the Workplace” Corporate Counsel

{{ disclaimer.HeaderText }}

Education

Professional Admissions & Qualifications

Court Admissions