About Mark

Education

Juris Doctor with Academic Distinction, Taft Law School, 2013

Taft Law School is a California Bar-accredited “distance learning” law school with all courses conducted online, leaving no room for doubt that I am a self-starter.

Master of Education, University of Massachusetts, Lowell College of Education, 1995

I earned my M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with teacher certification in social studies grades 9-12. The program included a 12-week student teaching practicum. GPA: 3.55

Bachelor of Arts with High Honors, Emory University, 1992

I completed a double-major in political science and philosophy with high honors in political science while also competing at the top level of national intercollegiate debate. GPA: 3.72

Test Scores

U.B.E. 299 (passing score is 270)

M.B.E. 158 (passing score is 135)

M.P.R.E. 133 (passing score is 80)

L.S.A.T. 175 (99.4th percentile)

G.R.E. 2200 (740Q/750V/710A)

Legal Practice

The Law Offices of Mark W. Kelsey, Walnut Creek, California, 2014-2021

Immediately upon my licensure by the State Bar of California, I opened my own solo practice with the goal of providing high-quality, individualized representation in the fields of criminal defense and civil rights. Over the last eight (8) years, I have successfully represented hundreds of criminal clients and dozens of civil rights plaintiffs at every step of their respective legal processes, including civil and criminal discovery and jury trials, sentencing, and a variety of post-trial matters. My strong academic background provided me with the skill set to prevail on law and motion matters; my experience in debate and public speaking, both as a competitor and a coach, makes me a powerful communicator in the courtroom; and my teaching experience gives me the gift of being able to explain complicated legal concepts to in simple terms to laypersons, both clients and jurors alike.

PriorTeaching Experience (7 years full-time)

Gwinnett County (GA) Public Schools, 2001-2002

Social Studies Teacher and Director of Forensics, North Gwinnett High School

My teaching responsibilities included 12th grade U.S. Government, 12th grade Economics, and 9th-12th grade Debate and Public Speaking, plus coaching the panoply of debate & speech events.

Catholic Schools of North Georgia, 2000-2001

Social Studies Coordinator and Teacher, Our Lady of Victory Catholic School

My teaching responsibilities included 6th grade through 8th grade classes in U.S. History, World Geography, World History, Literature, Computers, and Public Speaking. The school featured state of the art computer resources and benefitted from strong parental involvement.

Roanoke City (VA) Public Schools, 1995-1999

Social Studies Teacher and Director of Forensics, Patrick Henry High School

My teaching responsibilities included 12th grade AP Government, 12th grade standard academic level U.S. Government, 11th grade U.S. History, 9th grade World Geography, and 9th -12th grade Public Speaking and Debate. Students taking the AP exam earned an average score of 4.5. I also founded and built a nationally-successful debate and speech program at Patrick Henry H.S.

Lexington (Massachusetts) High School, 1993-1995

Assistant Debate and Speech Coach

I instructed, coached, judged and chaperoned for one of the nation’s largest and most successful high school debate teams. My students won numerous state championships, the 1994 National Tournament of Champions, and the 1st place National Speaker Award.

The Westminster Schools (Atlanta, Georgia), 1988-1993

Assistant Debate and Speech Coach

I coached 18 state champions in public speaking events and the 1991 National Debate Champions. (Fun Fact: two of my students eventually starred on NBC’s, “The Office.”)

Honors and Awards

Served on Virginia High School League Advisory Committee, 1997-1999, responsible for setting statewide policy regarding all high school extracurricular activities

Coached 1999 Virginia State Champion in Lincoln-Douglas Debate.

Coached 1998 Virginia Regional Sweepstakes Champions in both debate and speech.

Coached 1998 Virginia State 1st place Champion Debate Speaker.

Earned Dean’s List status every semester as an undergraduate.

Earned perfect 4.0 in political science major

Inducted into P.S.A., the national political science honor society.

President of Emory Young Democrats, 1991-2.

President of the Barkley Forum, America’s largest collegiate debate organization. 1991-2.

Personally earned over 100 national and regional trophies in debate and speech competition, including the DSR/TKA College National Championship 1st place Speaker.