Mark A. Ward

Overview

Mark A. Ward is a founding partner of Ward & Rafter, LLP and brings 20 years of legal experience to his practice. What makes Mark's background distinctive is where that experience was built. For the first 15 years of his career, Mark worked exclusively in legal services, representing clients who could not afford an attorney, handling complex litigation across virtually every area of civil law, and ultimately leading one of New York City's most prominent legal services programs. That foundation shapes everything about the way he practices law today.

Ward & Rafter, LLP is Mark's first private practice. He came to it with a litigation record, a management background, and a set of values forged over more than a decade of public interest work. He brings all of that to every client he represents.

Legal Services Career

Mark began his legal career as a Staff Attorney at Local 237 Legal Services, where he spent 11 years handling a wide range of civil matters for union members and their families. His caseload spanned Housing Court proceedings, civil court litigation, family law matters, consumer debt cases, and federal court litigation. It was the kind of broad, high-volume practice that develops a litigator quickly and thoroughly. By the time he left, Mark had appeared in courts at every level of New York's judicial system, including federal district court, and had developed deep expertise across multiple practice areas.

Mark then served as Project Director at CAMBA Legal Services, one of New York City's leading nonprofit legal services organizations. In that role, he managed a team of attorneys and staff delivering legal representation in Housing Court matters to low-income clients across Staten Island. As Project Director, Mark was responsible not only for his own caseload but for overseeing the quality and strategy of the program's entire legal operation, supervising attorneys, handling complex cases, and ensuring that clients received effective representation regardless of their circumstances.

Fifteen years in legal services gave Mark something that cannot be replicated in private practice: the experience of handling an enormous volume of contested litigation, with no option to turn away a difficult case and no room for anything less than full preparation. That background is the foundation of his effectiveness as an advocate today.

Court Experience

Mark has successfully practiced in a wide range of courts throughout New York, including:

State Courts:

• Richmond County Housing Court
• Richmond County Civil Court
• Richmond County Supreme Court
• New York City Civil Court
• New York City Family Court
• New York State Supreme Court Appellate Term
• New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division, Second Department

Federal Courts:

• United States District Court, Eastern District of New York
• United States District Court, Southern District of New York

Administrative Agencies:

• Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR)
• Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD)
• New York City Housing Authority

Achievements & Recognition

Throughout his career, Mark has achieved multiple published decisions in the New York Law Journal. These decisions reflect his ability to handle legally significant matters and advance the law on behalf of his clients across Housing Court, civil litigation, and beyond.

Mark has also served in leadership positions within the legal community, including as Secretary of the New York City Bar Association's Housing Court Committee. He has participated in the Housing Court Judicial Appointment Review Panel and the Working Group on Racial Equality in New York Courts. These commitments reflect his continued engagement with access to justice issues long after leaving legal services work.

Litigation Philosophy

Preparation: Mark prepares every matter as if it is going to trial. That discipline, instilled over years of high-volume legal services litigation, strengthens his clients' negotiating position and ensures he is never caught off guard.

Collaboration: Mark views the attorney-client relationship as a partnership. Clients are the ultimate decision-makers. His role is to ensure they have the information, strategy, and advocacy they need to make sound decisions and achieve their goals.

Communication: Clear, consistent communication is not optional. Mark makes himself accessible and ensures clients understand exactly where their matter stands at every stage.

Strategic Thinking: No two cases are the same. Mark brings a tailored, analytical approach to every matter, whether that means aggressive litigation, a negotiated resolution, or something in between.

Practice Areas

• Condominium & HOA Board Representation
• Landlord-Tenant Law
• Complex Civil Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation
• Foreclosure Defense
• Consumer Credit Transactions
• FDCPA Compliance
• Corporate Formation
• Family Law

Professional Memberships

• New York City Bar Association
• New York City Bar Association, Housing Court Committee (Secretary)
• Working Group on Racial Equality in New York Courts
• Housing Court Judicial Appointment Review Panel, New York City Bar Association

Personal

Mark was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, where he developed an early appreciation for community, resilience, and the pursuit of justice. Growing up in one of New York City's most dynamic boroughs gave Mark a firsthand understanding of the challenges urban communities face. That perspective shaped his decision to spend the first chapter of his career in public interest law and continues to inform his approach to client representation today.

Mark is married to his wife, Shayla, and has two sons, Mark Jr. and Kairon. Outside of his legal practice, Mark is an avid Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner and serves as a youth basketball coach, investing in the next generation both on and off the mat. He is also an active member of his local church, where he volunteers his time and talents to serve others.

Mark believes the values instilled in him growing up in Brooklyn — hard work, loyalty, and standing up for what is right — are the same values he brings to every client and every case.

Schedule a consultation →