About J. Mark
J. Mark Weiss studied political science, history and Near East languages and literature at the University of Washington, completing his B.A. in 1978. He went on to earn his J.D. from Lewis & Clark Law School in 1984. Those academic years laid a broad foundation for a career that moves between courtroom work, negotiation and financial analysis.
He began his legal career in the Pacific Northwest in the 1980s. In 1987 he worked as a lawyer at the firm Ferguson & Burdell. Three years later he established his own practice under the name Law Office of J. Mark Weiss, P.S. Over time that practice evolved into J. Mark Weiss, P.S., where he added mediation services in 2003. Throughout, his work has been conducted under Washington jurisdiction.
Financial aspects of family law became a notable part of his work. He earned certification as a Divorce Financial Analyst from the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts, a credential intended to help attorneys and clients understand complex property and financial issues in separation and divorce. That training informs how he approaches settlements, asset division and the valuation questions that often arise in family matters.
He has also engaged in collaborative and alternative dispute resolution methods. He was a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Practitioners from 2003 until 2020. He is currently a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a professional association that brings together experienced family law practitioners.
Colleagues describe him as someone who balances legal procedure with practical financial analysis. He moved from a traditional law-office model toward mediation and collaborative work as those options gained traction among clients seeking different paths than contested litigation. His practice history reflects that shift: early firm experience, a long-running solo practice, then formal mediation services added to his offerings.
In the office he handles case intake, settlement negotiations and mediation sessions, often working through the financial spreadsheets and valuation questions that determine how assets and obligations should be divided. He also advises clients on the implications of proposed agreements and on how settlement terms will play out over time.
He maintains his practice in Washington and continues to accept matters involving family law, divorce financial analysis and mediation. He concentrates his practice on those areas in Washington.
