Thomas, Ben H.

Mark is board-certified in Civil Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA), a division of the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification (NBLSC). He has been board-certified continuously since 1997. The NBLSC is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) to confer certification to qualified attorneys – a rigorous process that officially recognizes extensive education, training and courtroom experience. Certified trial lawyers undergo a thorough screening of their credentials, including documentation of trial experience, recommendations by judges and other attorneys, and successful completion of a written examination. For more information, go to http://www.nblsc.us/.

In addition, Mark has been selected multiple times for inclusion in Wisconsin Super Lawyers (2009, 2010, and 2011). To be designated as a Super Lawyer, a demanding multi-phase rating and selection process is used. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and verified professional achievement. Selections are made on an annual state-by-state basis and only five percent of the attorneys in Wisconsin are chosen as Super Lawyers. For more information, go to http://www.superlawyers.com.

Mark is a founding partner at Zalewski, Klinner & Kramer, where he primarily defends insurance companies and their policy holders in a variety of civil litigation, with an emphasis on negligence and tort-based claims. He regularly represents individuals, municipalities (counties, cities, villages and towns) and businesses. Mark also routinely handles selected plaintiff’s cases (primarily personal injury claims). During his legal career, Mark has successfully represented clients at the trial and appellate level throughout Wisconsin. In personal injury cases alone, he has taken nearly 50 cases to jury verdict in 17 different counties.

A native of central Wisconsin, Mark graduated from Medford Senior High School in 1978. He then earned his bachelor’s degree at UW – Eau Claire in 1982, followed by his Juris Doctor degree from UW – Madison Law School in 1985. Mark then returned to the Wausau area, where he has been in private practice for more than 25 years.