Mark Yira is a MSBA Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist, a distinction held by less than 1% of all licensed Minnesota attorneys. Certification refers to an attorney who has completed a rigorous approval process to establish full qualification for reliable experience and skills as a specialist in their practice area – in this case, civil trial law handling cases in state or federal courts. Mark Yira has tried dozens of cases to jury verdict. This certification makes Mark one of a limited number of attorneys in Minnesota to have earned the credential. Mark is admitted to practice in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and several federal courts. He has litigated cases across the country.
In addition to his law practice, Mark Yira is a part-time Conciliation Court Judge/Referee for the First Judicial District. He is also a Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 114 Qualified ADR Neutral and is frequently selected by parties to mediate or arbitrate disputes. Mark is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at Mitchell | Hamline School of Law, teaching Torts, Evidence, and Constitutional Law. He is a frequent lecturer on topics concerning personal injury, wrongful death, no-fault insurance, evidence, and trial practices.
Mark Yira was appointed by the Minnesota Supreme Court to the No-Fault Standing Committee for a four-year term, effective January 1, 2016. The No-Fault Standing Committee reviews and monitors the administration of, and rules governing, arbitration under the Minnesota No-Fault Automobile Insurance Act. The No-Fault Standing Committee also proposes amendments to those rules to assist in the efficiency and fairness of the No-Fault arbitration process.
Mark Yira was also appointed by the Minnesota Supreme Court to the Advisory Committee on the Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure for a three-year term effective January 1, 2017. The Advisory Committee is responsible for reviewing the Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure applicable to civil cases, and proposing amendments to those rules.
Mark is a member of the Board of Governors of the Minnesota Association for Justice and serves on several committees within the organization. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Academy of Certified Trial Lawyers of Minnesota (ACTLM).
Mark resides in Hutchinson, Minnesota with his wife, Dawn, and four children. In his spare time, Mark enjoys spending time outdoors with his family.
- Juris Doctor, William Mitchell College of Law, 1996; member/editor William Mitchell Law Review
- B. A. Hamline University, 1993, magna cum laude, with distinction in Psychology; Phi Beta Kappa
- 30-hour General Mediation Skills training, Hamline University, March 23 – 26, 2010
- Certified Civil Arbitration Training, 2016
- State of Minnesota, 1996
- State of Wisconsin, 2002
- Tribal Court of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, 2008
- U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, 1996
- United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, 2006
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, 2010
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, 1997
- Supreme Court of the United States of America, 1999
- Conciliation Court Judge for the 1st Judicial District
- Minnesota Association for Justice, Board of Governors
- Minnesota State Bar Association, MSBA Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist
- Academy of Certified Trial Lawyers of Minnesota, Board of Governors
- Wisconsin Bar Association
- First District Bar Association
- Minnesota Supreme Court No-Fault Panel of Arbitrators
- Minnesota Supreme Court Neutrals Roster