Atty. Mark J. Hilliard

Atty. Mark J. Hilliard

Mark Hilliard is a litigation attorney who works to assist each client to achieve their legal objectives by implementing smart, aggressive, creative, and cost-effective legal solutions to a client’s business or personal challenges. Mr.

Walnut Creek Walnut Creek 19 yrs experience 19 year
Call (925) 744-5744 Email Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About Mark J. Hilliard at a glance

Mark J. Hilliard is an Of Counsel based in Walnut Creek, California, practicing at Brothers Smith LLP. They have 19+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2007. Their practice focuses on business, real estate, tax, and litigation. Admitted to practice in California (2007), Washington United States District Court, Northern, Eastern and Central Districts of California Unite (2014), North Dakota (2015), and Arizona (2016). Educated at University of Dayton School of Law (J.D., 2006) and St. Louis University (B.S. Marketing, 2002). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Serands clients in Walnut Creek, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Mark Hilliard is a litigation attorney who works to assist each client to achieve their legal objectives by implementing smart, aggressive, creative, and cost-effective legal solutions to a client’s business or personal challenges
  • Mr. Hilliard’s clients include individuals, start-up companies, small and local businesses, and large multinational corporations alike
  • Mr. Hilliard has extensive experience trying cases in state and federal courts, including outside of California, and in resolving cases through arbitration and mediation
  • Although his legal career has primarily focused on high-stakes civil litigation concerning business, employment, contract, and tort disputes, he also has experience representing clients in estate litigation and cannabis business matters
  • Mr. Hilliard has represented clients in a variety of industries, including in the retail, mass transit and transportation, technology, construction, energy, automobile and truck manufacturing and sales, farm machinery, sporting goods, cannabis, and health care sectors
  • Through hard work, and precise and detailed case management, Mr. Hilliard has consistently achieved favorable results for his clients
  • Mr. Hilliard was selected as a Super Lawyers ‘Rising Star’ in civil litigation from 2013-2020 and was selected and recognized as a Super Lawyer in 2021
  • Along with other accolades, he has been awarded the highest peer rating of ‘AV-Preeminent’ from Martindale
  • Recent Trials and Arbitrations Resulting in Successful Verdicts • Cannard v
  • Ford Motor Co., 2015, U.S
  • District Court, Western District of Washington • Holley v
  • Ford Motor Co., 2017, Court of Common Pleas, Beaufort, South Carolina • Keating v
  • Avangate, Inc., 2019, Arbitration Articles and Publications • The Evolution and Misinterpretation of the Establishment Clause: Is Teaching Intelligent Design in Public Schools a Governmental Endorsement of Religion Prohibited by the First Amendment? 32 Dayton L. Rev. 145 (2006) Community Involvement • Department of Veterans Affairs (2012-2018) – Mark has been accredited by the Office of the General Counsel to assist military veterans in handling legal claims pending before the Department of Veterans Affairs. • Bar Association of San Francisco, Volunteer Legal Services Program (2012-present) – Mark serves as a benefactor to this program, providing justice, health, and social services to the poor and underserved. • Bar Association of San Francisco, Minority Law Student Scholarship Program (2012-present) – Mark is a benefactor to this scholarship program, established to reaffirm commitment to diversity in legal education and within the legal profession. • Participates in the “LiveLikeLou” Foundation
  • Volunteers and assists ALS Bay Area families who have been effected by Lou Gehrig’s disease
  • Publications • Trade Secret Misappropriation Requires Acquisition and/or Use (Not Just Knowledge), and Broken Promises Do Not, Alone, Amount to Fraud: Lessons from Hooked Media Group, Inc. v
  • Apple Inc. • ALERT - California Supremes: At-will contracts can leave parties on the outside looking in, in cases of interference with prospective business advantage, absent a “separate wrong” Professional Memberships • American Bar Association • State Bar of California • California Lawyers Association • Contra Costa Bar Association, Board Member of the Litigation Section (2019-Present) • Contra Costa Bar Association, Treasurer of the Litigation Section (2020-present) • Robert G. McGrath American Inn of Court, Member (2020-present)

Practice Areas Explained

Mark J. Hilliard's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Mark J. Hilliard handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Business & Corporate Law

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

Mark J. Hilliard is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in California →

Real Estate Law

Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.

Mark J. Hilliard is one of 316,149 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in California →

Tax Law

Tax attorneys handle IRS audits, tax debt, international tax, estate planning, and tax court litigation.

Mark J. Hilliard is one of 85,302 tax attorneys indexed nationally. Browse tax attorneys in California →

Civil Litigation

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

Mark J. Hilliard is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in California →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in California

Practicing law in California. Legal matters in California are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Walnut Creek are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate California state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in California brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in California courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Walnut Creek or all attorneys in California.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Mark J. Hilliard

Where is Mark J. Hilliard's law office located?
Mark J. Hilliard's law practice is located in Walnut Creek, California. The firm is Brothers Smith LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Mark J. Hilliard handle?
Mark J. Hilliard focuses on business, real estate, tax, litigation. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in California.
How long has Mark J. Hilliard practiced law?
Mark J. Hilliard has 19+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 2007.
Where did Mark J. Hilliard go to law school?
Mark J. Hilliard earned their education at (J.D., 2006); (B.S. Marketing, 2002).
How can I contact Mark J. Hilliard for a consultation?
You can contact Mark J. Hilliard directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Mark J. Hilliard received?
Mark J. Hilliard's notable recognition includes: AV Preeminent.

Education

J.D.
University of Dayton School of Law
- 2006
B.S. Marketing
St. Louis University
- 2002

Awards

AV Preeminent

Bar Admissions

California
Admitted: 2007
Washington United States District Court, Northern, Eastern and Central Districts of California Unite
Admitted: 2014
North Dakota
Admitted: 2015
Arizona
Admitted: 2016
Oregon
Admitted: 2016

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