Dear TAGLaw IP/IT & Life Sciences Members:
Unfortunately, I have some very sad news. Earlier this week, our friend and colleague, Mark Thomas of Williams Mullen passed away. Mark was a leader in TAGLaw, especially in his roles as Co-Chair for the IP/IT Specialty Group and main contact for Williams Mullen. I know many of you worked closely with him over the years on putting together conference sessions and other group activities. He will be dearly missed.
More information can be found below in a statement from Williams Mullen.
In Memoriam – Mark S. Thomas
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our partner, colleague and friend Mark S. Thomas, who died on Monday, March 14, 2016, following a valiant battle with cancer.
Mr. Thomas’ legal career spanned more than 35 years of dedicated service to clients, as well as, numerous community, professional and civic organizations. He was the chair of the North Carolina Bar Association’s International Law & Practice Section, as well as past chair of its Intellectual Property Law Section and past chair of the Labor & Employment Law Section. He was also a member of the American Bar Association’s Intellectual Property Law Section, the American Intellectual Property Law Association and the Defense Research Institute.
He was a board member and past President of the North Carolina Master Chorale, a major North Carolina arts organization. He was the chair of the History Committee of the Wake County Bar Association and also a member of the board of directors, and past president, of the Badger-Iredell Foundation, an organization established by the Wake County Bar Association to administer the historic collection of the Badger-Iredell law office in Mordecai Park of Raleigh, North Carolina.
Mr. Thomas served his country as a Judge Advocate in the United States Army from 1979 to 1981. Mr. Thomas served in West Germany, attained the rank of Captain, and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, among other decorations.
Mr. Thomas was a graduate of Wake Forest University and Wake Forest University School of Law, who earned his Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, and his Juris Doctor degree, cum laude. In 1981 he joined the Raleigh law firm of Maupin Taylor, which merged with Williams Mullen in 2007.
Mr. Thomas was a cherished member of the Williams Mullen family who will be greatly missed.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2016, at 2:00pm at the Edenton Street United Methodist Church, 228 W. Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27603. A reception will follow in Kerr Hall. Condolences may be shared at CremationSocietyNC.com
