Overview
Mark Worthge focuses his practice in the areas of construction law, employment law, financial services, commercial litigation and general liability defense.
His construction practice of more than 30 years includes representing clients in complex claims through settlement, mediation, arbitration and trial. More broadly, he defends commercial and residential landlords, real property owners, public entities, developers, design professionals, contractors, and subcontractors in a variety of legal matters including defense of claims for extra costs, mechanics’ liens, bidding issues, scheduling and delay, construction defects, ADA/ Unruh Act violations, OSHA violations, Common Interest Development/HOA litigation, and construction site accidents. He also advises clients on risk mitigation issues through contract negotiations and business practices.
In his employment law practice, Mr. Worthge represents employers against a range of claims asserted by current and former employees including wage and hour violations, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and collective Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) and class actions.
In his financial services practice, Mr. Worthge represents financial institutions in lender liability matters, including credit reporting, collection practices, lending practices, and wrongful mortgage foreclosure claims. He has extensive experience assisting credit unions in drafting and enforcing arbitration provisions and other terms of their membership and lending agreements. In his commercial and general liability litigation work, Mr. Worthge defends business clients in a variety of liability claims, including those involving products liability and high exposure catastrophic bodily injury claims.
Before joining Kaufman Dolowich, Mr. Worthge was a partner at several national litigation defense firms, handling construction law, employment law, lender liability, products liability, and real estate disputes. Prior to and during law school, he worked as a registered professional engineer for several major architectural and structural engineering firms in the Los Angeles area. He is regularly sought after by design professionals for his expertise and is a frequent presenter before the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Admissions
- California
- U.S. District Court
- Eastern District of California
- Northern District of California
- Southern District of California
- Central District of California
Education
- University of West Los Angeles School of Law—J.D.
- University of California at Los Angeles, School of Engineering and Applied Science—B.S., cum laude
Professional Memberships
- California State Bar Association
Community Service
For more than seven years, Mr. Worthge has served as a Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop 257 in the South Bay Los Angeles area. He is also actively involved in the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) most recently serving as coordinator of boys and girls 6U. He is also Director of Referee Assessment for AYSO, actively refereeing himself and also serving as a mentor to younger referees.
Publications
News
• Panelist, “Contracts for Architects, Protect Yourself and Save Money!,” ENGAGE 2023, Practice + Design Conference, American Institute of Architects, Colorado Chapter (November 2023)
• Presenter, “Negotiating and Writing Contracts for Architects,” American Institute of Architects, Los Angeles Chapter (September 2019)
• Presenter, “Granny Flats & Accessory Dwelling Units: Planning for the Elderly,” American Institute of Architects National Convention (July 2018)
• Presenter, “Contracts for Design Professionals,” American Institute of Architects, South Atlantic Regional Convention (September 2016)
• Presenter, “Contracts for Design Professionals,” American Institute of Architects, National Convention (May 2015)
• Presenter, “Writing Contracts for Small Architectural Firms,” American Institute of Architects, Los Angeles Chapter (October 2013)
Our Firm's Awards & Honors
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