Overview
Mark Burton's broad range of experience in government, economic development and strategic communications enables him to provide effective and unique counsel in critical and complex matters impacting his clients.
Mark’s practice is primarily focused on public affairs and economic development, including governmental relations and regulatory work, as well as securing federal, state and local economic development incentives.
Mark’s experience as a Gubernatorial chief strategist and association executive allows him to help clients shape strategic and effective advocacy campaigns aimed at both national and state audiences. His familiarity of state government from both the Legislative and Executive branches further allows him to directly represent clients in meetings with elected officials and other policy makers.
Prior to joining Honigman, Mark served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and was the President and Chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund. During his tenure as Michigan’s chief economic developer, he oversaw MEDC’s full suite of business incentive and community development incentive programs and the award-winning Pure Michigan campaign.
Services
Practice Areas
Experience
Representative Matters
Developed and managed a client’s state-by-state advocacy campaign successfully achieving the client’s goal through state legislatures and statewide ballot initiatives
Secured hundreds of millions of dollars of federal, state and local incentives for generational economic development projects in Michigan related to manufacturing, R&D and clean energy
Prior Experience
- Michigan Economic Development Corporation, President & Chief Executive Officer, 2020-2021
- Executive Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Chief Strategist, 2019-2020
- Tri-County Alliance for Public Education (TCA), Executive Director, 2013-2017
- Michigan Senate, Chief of Staff, Senate Democratic Leader Gretchen Whitmer, 2011-2013
- Michigan Senate, General Counsel, Senate Democratic Caucus, 2009
Credentials
Education
- International Human Rights Law
Admissions
- Michigan
Recognition
Awards
- Law Bulletin Media
- Leading Lawyers, Governmental, Municipal, Lobbying & Administrative Law, 2023-2024
- Leading Lawyers, Public Finance Law, 2023-2024
- The Best Lawyers in America, 2024-2025
- Recognized in practice area of Government Relations Practice
Professional & Community Involvement
Citizens Research Council of Michigan, Board of Directors, 2022–present
Michigan State Housing Development Authority, Board of Directors, 2020-2021
Michigan Israel Business Accelerator, Board of Directors, 2020-2021
American Center for Mobility, Board of Directors, 2020-2021
Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, Board of Directors, 2020-2021