Mark D. Lessem

About Mark

Mark Lessem spent his entire career in public service prior to joining his son, Jeremy, at Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP. Admitted to practice law in California in 1972 after graduating from the University of San Diego School of Law, Mark established a reputation as a highly respected criminal defense attorney. He has tried approximately 100 felony cases to verdict, including more than 15 murder trials and in excess of 200 juvenile cases. Mark also worked on several homicide cases that garnered national media attention. He was elevated to several important leadership roles within the public defender’s office, including serving as the head of the juvenile defense division, where he oversaw a multi-million dollar budget and was instrumental in founding Los Angeles County’s first juvenile justice drug court program. Mark also served as the Head Deputy of the San Fernando Courthouse and as a Head Deputy at the downtown Los Angeles office, responsible for one of the felony trial divisions. Additionally, Mark was the supervisor of the public defender office’s Proposition 36 attorneys at downtown central court.

Licensed States

Education

Colleagues at Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP

WC

William C. Makler

Of Counsel

JL

Jeremy Lessem

Co-founding Partner

JE

Joshua E. Newstat

Co-founding Partner (In Memoriam)

J. Tooson

Partner

RW

Ricky Worsfold

Associate