NLD Member Spotlight: Mark Simpliciano

Mark Simpliciano is a resilient young attorney who is currently an Associate Attorney with Garcia Hong Law APC, a San Diego civil law firm that focuses on business litigation, employment, professional liability, legal ethics, and personal injury. With Mark’s experience in employment law, he has been given a more active role on handling some of the firm’s employment matters, which includes assisting business clients with consultation and formation. 

Born in Kona, Hawaii, Mark grew up with his parents and two brothers. Both of his parents came from the Philippines. He remembers his parents teaching him to strive for his dreams and to never give up. While his family did not have many resources at times, he remembers them as resourceful, hard-working, and strong. 

In 2009, Mark wanted to see what life was like outside Hawaii and made a life-altering move to San Diego. There, Mark became the first person in his generation to attend a four-year university by enrolling at San Diego State University. At SDSU, he received a bachelor’s degree in political science and took courses dealing with the legal system and United States Supreme Court history that grew his interest in law.

Before attending law school, Mark obtained an ABA-Approved Paralegal Certificate from the University of San Diego in 2014. He decided to first work as a paralegal because he wanted to develop practical skills needed for the legal profession while having a chance to save money before going to law school. Mark worked as a paralegal for Suppa Trucchi & Henein, LLP, which, at the time, was a boutique firm that did most mostly personal injury and family law. Working there for a couple years confirmed for Mark that he wanted to become an attorney. Mark reminds those looking to enter the legal profession there is no rush to figure out what you are passionate about; what is important is having a detailed plan on what you want to accomplish and how you are going to do it.

Mark decided to attend California Western School of Law where he earned his juris doctorate in 2019. While in law school, Mark was on Law Review and was president of Pride Law, a student organization at California Western. As the president of Pride Law, he worked hard to increase membership in the organization and create a strong community of LGBTQ+ lawyers and law students. Mark credits California Western for helping him rediscover his passion in public interest law and helping others in need.

While a student, Mark began volunteering at organizations such as Tom Homann LGBTQ+ Law Association. Currently, Mark serves as a Director at Large and chair for the Association’s student outreach and mentorship program. The Association is dedicated to the advancement of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer issues throughout California and the nation, as well as the protection of those communities. In his role at the Association, Mark is able to act as a liaison to build connections between local LGBTQ+ law students and San Diego lawyers. He also is responsible for creating networking and mentorship opportunities for students.

Mark attributes a big influence to enter the legal profession to his father who wanted him to pursue a career as an attorney to help others. Mark’s father cultivated his passion to give back to the Filipino-American community and other groups that have been historically marginalized. Unfortunately, Mark lost his father to cancer in 2021, and lost his brother to COVID the same year. Mark’s resilience and strength is evident as a new attorney learning how to navigate his career with the death of two beloved members in his family.

Mark explains, he was fortunate enough that his brother and father were able to see him become an attorney. While difficult for anyone to lose a family member, Mark continues to work hard and dedicates his practice to his father and brother. “Our greatest defeat does not lie at the moment we fall to our knees, but rather at the moment we fail to get back on our feet. There are always going to be obstacles in life, but you must always fight to rise up again.”