Mark Ignacio attended the University of San Diego (USD) and graduated Magna Cum Laude in just three years with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and minors in English and Philosophy. During his time at USD, Mark served as the Undergraduate Writing Center Coordinator and tutor, in addition to leading various University Ministry activities. By the time he graduated, Mark had earned several distinctions, including Honors Program Graduate, Phi Beta Kappa, Mortar Board (National College Senior Honors Society), Psi Chi (Psychology Honors Society), and Sigma Tau Delta (English Honors Society). Mark then enrolled at Hamline University School of Law in Saint Paul, Minnesota, after receiving an academic scholarship.
Mark returned to San Diego and enrolled at California Western School of Law (CWSL) to complete his law school career. While at CWSL, he served as a legal intern for the Legal Aid Society where he assisted clients with unlawful detainer issues and helped domestic violence victims acquire restraining orders against their aggressors. For his service, the State Bar of California awarded Mark with the Wiley B. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Services. Ultimately, Mark graduated from CWSL in the top 25 percent of his class, along with earning academic excellence awards.
With over a decade of experience, Mark has had the privilege of assisting hundreds of clients in carefully drafting customized estate plans, appropriately funding and aligning trust assets, and settling estates after a loved one has passed away. Further, Mark is a regular estate planning presenter and speaker with the Catholic Community Foundation and is a contributing author in the upcoming second edition of Wealth Counsel's Estate Planning Strategies: Collective Wisdom, Proven Techniques. In addition to his legal career, Mark has served his community by volunteering with Legal Aid Society, CWSL's Community Law Project, and the Wills for Heroes Program as a volunteer attorney; he also serves as a mentor with the Crawford High School Academy of Law Program.
Mark is a proud and native San Diegan (St. Augustine High School alumnus). In his spare time, Mark loves spending time with his wife as he considers the vocation of marriage his life's greatest blessing. Mark also enjoys cooking, reading, traveling, playing sports and games, and keeping up with his favorite sports team, the San Diego Padres.
Bar Admissions
- California
Education
California Western School of Law, San Diego, California
- J.D.
- Honors: Graduated Top 25%
- Honors: Academic Excellence Award
- Honors: Wiley B. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Services
- Honors: Legal Internship Program at SPAWAR Office of Counsel
- Honors: Legal Aid Society, Legal Intern
University Of San Diego, San Diego, California
- B.A. magna cum laude
- Honors: Program Graduate
- Honors: Phi Beta Kappa
- Honors: Writing Center Tutor and Coordinator
- Honors: Mortar Board (National College Senior Honors Society)
- Honors: Psi Chi (Psychology Honors Society)
- Honors: Sigma Tau Delta (English Honors Society)
- Major: Psychology
- Minor: English
- Minor: Philosophy
Honors and Awards
- Avvo Clients’ Choice Award
- Lawyers of Distinction
- The Expert Network – Distinguished Member
- Lawyers of Distinction – Distinguished Member for Estate Planning
- Rue Ratings’ Best Attorney of America Member
- Lead Counsel Distinction
Professional Associations and Memberships
- San Diego County Bar Association, Trust and Estates Section, Member
- American Bar Association, Member
- Filipino American Lawyers of San Diego, Member
- San Diego County Bar Association, Real Property Section, Member
- San Diego County Bar Association, Business Section, Member
Pro Bono Activities
- Wills and Heroes Volunteer Attorney
- Community Law Project Volunteer Attorney
- Crawford High School Academy of Law Mentor
- Saints-OLP Alumni Networking Group, Community Service Coordinator
- Father’s Joe’s Village