Mark Obenstine
Mark Obenstine
Attorney at Law
Attorney at Law
Attorney Mark Obenstine is a professional focused on complex litigation and class action law. He dedicates his work to holding corporate defendants accountable for misconduct while ensuring fairness and justice for those affected. He has a proven ability to recognize legal trends and identify emerging opportunities in the class action field before they become widely acknowledged. His forward-thinking perspective allows him to anticipate developments in consumer protection, corporate accountability, and regulatory enforcement, often before these matters gain national attention. By staying ahead of legal shifts, he provides clients with strategies that aim to achieve meaningful resolutions in complex cases.
Mark Obenstine began his academic career at Syracuse University in New York, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1994. He went on to attend Harvard Law School, earning his law degree in 1999. His first position as an attorney was with Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison, a large law firm based in San Francisco, California. He spent two years there, gaining valuable experience in corporate litigation before opening his own practice.
During his time in private practice, he built upon the foundation established through his education and early professional work. His experience at a significant law firm allowed him to understand the intricacies of large-scale litigation and the importance of strategic legal planning. This background provided him with the insight necessary to build a career centered on complex cases that involve multiple parties and significant corporate responsibility.
In 2001, he established his own law practice. At first, his work focused on breach-of-contract cases for small businesses, where he gained practical experience representing clients in disputes that required careful negotiation and detailed legal argumentation. Over time, his focus shifted toward class action consulting, a field that would become his long-term professional concentration.
He began offering consulting services to law firms involved in class-action litigation. These services included in-depth legal research, the development of creative legal arguments, and strategic advice on ongoing cases. Through this work, he collaborated with many law firms specializing in class actions and contributed to numerous cases, including several high-profile matters that addressed significant consumer and corporate issues. His consulting experience allowed him to develop an advanced understanding of class action procedures and the strategies needed to navigate them effectively.
In July 2024, Mark Obenstine formed his own class action firm with a mission to uncover and develop cases that could have broad and positive impacts. His firm’s focus is on identifying matters that can be resolved through early, strategic pre-litigation settlement negotiation. This approach allows him to achieve efficient, fair, and practical outcomes for clients while maintaining the integrity of the legal process.
Class actions are collective lawsuits that allow large groups of individuals who share similar grievances to file a single case against a defendant. These types of cases enable individuals to address widespread harm or misconduct that would otherwise be too difficult or costly for them to pursue on their own. Class actions often involve issues such as defective products, false advertising, consumer fraud, employment law violations, data breaches, securities fraud, or environmental concerns. These cases typically progress through several stages, including class certification, discovery, and potential settlement. The duration of a class action can range from a few months to several years, depending on complexity, and may take longer if court appeals are involved.
Through his work in class-action law, he has become a strong advocate for plaintiffs, promoting fairness and accountability in cases involving corporate misconduct. He understands the importance of legal action, particularly when regulatory agencies may not fully enforce standards or protect consumers. His dedication to this area of law reflects a belief that civil litigation plays a critical role in ensuring corporate responsibility and maintaining public trust.
Without attorneys to bring forward cases that expose negligence or misconduct, many harmful corporate practices might never come to light. By pursuing class action lawsuits, he provides a path for individuals to seek justice collectively while encouraging companies to prioritize ethical practices and consumer safety. Class actions often result in meaningful change, such as policy reforms, the removal of unsafe products from the market, or greater transparency in business operations. These outcomes not only benefit plaintiffs but also contribute to a safer and more responsible marketplace.
Mark Obenstine’s extensive experience in class action law distinguishes him within the field of complex litigation. His ability to handle the procedural and strategic requirements of these cases allows him to represent clients and manage large-scale legal efforts effectively. He has a deep understanding of the standards necessary for court certification and the detailed processes that define class action practice.
His years of consulting for other class action firms have provided him with unique insight into the complexities of multi-party litigation. When cases cannot be resolved through negotiation, he is fully prepared to take them to trial, ensuring clients receive strong, consistent representation. He manages logistical challenges in significant cases, oversees extensive data collection and organization, coordinates with multiple plaintiffs, and ensures settlements are handled with fairness and precision.
Throughout his career, Mark Obenstine has remained focused on advancing justice through class action law. His approach combines experience, integrity, and commitment to accountability. By continuing to pursue impactful cases that promote fairness and transparency, he helps ensure that the legal system remains an effective means of protecting the public and holding corporations responsible for their actions. His ongoing work reflects his dedication to upholding the values of the legal profession and achieving meaningful results for those he represents.