About Mark
Mark Leighton earned his undergraduate degree in history and economics from Westfield State College in 1977. He went on to receive his J.D. from Western New England University School of Law in 1980. Those formative years set him on a legal path rooted in Connecticut practice.
He has spent his career in state courts and administrative forums. Leighton became a managing member of Leighton Katz & Drapeau in 1989 and has been affiliated with that firm for decades. He is admitted to practice in Connecticut and has maintained long-standing ties to the local bar community. He joined the Connecticut Bar Association in 1981 and has been a member ever since. The following year he became involved in the Tolland County Bar Association, a membership he maintains to this day. Since 2000 he has also been a member of the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association.
Colleagues describe him as steady in the courtroom and methodical in preparation. He is board certified by the Connecticut Bar Association as a Workers' Compensation Specialist, a credential that reflects concentrated work in that area of law. Over the years he has handled workers' compensation claims, hearings before administrative law judges, and related civil litigation arising from workplace injuries.
His practice involves both advocacy before administrative agencies and contested matters in trial courts. He represents claimants and handles procedural and evidentiary issues that often determine the outcome of benefits disputes. He has navigated settlement negotiations and trial work, balancing case assessment with practical resolution when appropriate.
Beyond casework, Leighton has participated in professional circles that shape practice standards in Connecticut. His long memberships in local and state bar groups have kept him connected to developments in workers' compensation law and trial practice. Those associations also reflect a steady, long-term presence in the Connecticut legal community.
He maintains office locations in Middletown, Enfield, Hartford and the firm's main office, where he sees clients and handles hearings and filings. His calendar typically includes administrative proceedings, pretrial conferences and trial settings, depending on the needs of individual cases.
Mark Leighton continues to practice in Connecticut, where his current work concentrates on workers' compensation matters and related litigation.
