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Mark J. Stepaniak
- E stepaniak@taftlaw.com
- T (513) 357-9398
- F (513) 381-0205
Summary
Mark represents employers in all aspects of labor and employment law, including litigation for employers in the federal and state courts involving wrongful discharge, sexual harassment, race and age discrimination, retaliatory discharge, and wage and hour matters. He is experienced in trade secret and non-competition agreement litigation.
Mark has extensive experience negotiating collective bargaining agreements in the broadcast, music, automotive, soft drink beverage, plastics, logistics, distributing, dairy, and paper working industries and for public sector employers, including hospitals, the Cincinnati Public Schools, and the University of Cincinnati. He has primary responsibility for all aspects of NLRB proceedings, strike preparedness, including coordination of security measures, obtaining injunctions against mass picketing and violence, pursuing contempt orders, initiating criminal prosecutions, coordinating the hiring of a replacement workforce, and defending management in related proceedings.
Mark is honored with inclusion in Best Lawyers in America and Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, was named the Best Lawyers in America 2016 Employment Law – Management “Lawyer of the Year” in Cincinnati and has been recognized in Ohio Super Lawyers. He is a member of the Public Affairs Council of the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the board of directors of the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, and is past president of the board of trustees for Catholic Social Services of Southwestern Ohio. Mark served as chair of the firm’s employment committee and is a former member of the executive committee.
Mark received his undergraduate degree from Thomas More College in 1977 and his law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1980.
Awards
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Honoree, Best Lawyers in America, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
(1995 – present)
“Lawyer of the Year” Honoree, Best Lawyers in America, Employment Law – Management (2016)
Honoree, Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Labor & Employment (2007 – present)
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Honoree, Ohio Super Lawyers, Employment & Labor: Employer (2004 – 2018)
Honoree, Benchmark Litigation, Labor & Employment Stars for the Midwest (2021)
Leading Lawyers Honoree, Cincy Magazine, Labor & Employment Law
(2020 – present)
All Service Areas
All Practices
Education
- University of Cincinnati College of Law (1980)
- Thomas More College (1977)
Admissions
- Federal - 6th Circuit Court of Appeals
- Federal - U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- Federal - Southern District of Ohio
- Federal - U.S. Supreme Court
- State - Ohio
News
Three Hundred Sixty-Three Taft Attorneys Recognized in Best Lawyers in America® 2025 News
Taft Ranked in Chambers USA 2024 Guide with 85 Attorneys and 34 Practices Recognized News
Three Hundred Six Taft Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® 2024 News
Taft Ranks with 69 Attorneys and 29 Practices Recognized in Chambers USA 2023 Guide
Past Events
Community Involvement
- Boy Scouts of America, Dan Beard Council
Former Board Member
- Catholic Social Services of Southwestern
Past President
Former Board Member - Cincinnati Athletic Club
Member
- Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Board Member
- Convalescent Hosp for Children, affiliated w/ Cinti Children's Hosp Med Ctr
Trustee
Board Member - Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee
Member
- Saint Ursula Academy
Former Board Member
- St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church
Parishioner