Mark W. Litchford, Esq.
Attorney / Director
BAR ADMISSION: TENNESSEE, GEORGIA, U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR E.D. OF TENN., 6TH CIR. COURT OF APPEALS
Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Mark is a founding member of Litchford, Pearce & Associates, PLLC, and licensed to practice in Tennessee, Georgia, the Federal Eastern District Court of Tennessee, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Mark concentrates his practice in government law, commercial litigation, real property, personal injury, and business transactions. Mark is recognized as a multi-nominated Best Lawyers in America and Mid-South Super Lawyers, and was the 2025 President of the Chattanooga Bar Association.
Mark has extensive trial experience in representing clients in a variety of areas, including governmental regulations, personal injury, federal and state constitutional law, and real property disputes. Mark also serves as general outside-counsel to various mid-size companies engaged in the following industries: oil & lubricant distribution, logistic freight, restaurant, medical, and real estate. The services provided to these companies include labor & employment consulting, contract negotiations, member/shareholder agreements, and collections. Mark also represents and/or serves as trustee for various trusts in connection with his estate planning services.
A native of Crossville, Tennessee, Mark attended David Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, for both his undergraduate and Master's degrees. Mark received his Doctorate of Jurisprudence, cum laude, from the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at Memphis University where he was a member of the Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity. Since 2017, Mark has served as the city attorney for East Ridge, Tennessee, and has extensive experience in drafting municipal contracts and ordinances, assisting with land use regulation, industrial and commercial development, local government budgeting, and public-private partnerships.
Mark is a member of the Tennessee, Georgia and local Chattanooga Bar Association and is actively involved with the Tennessee Municipal League, the National League of Cities, Municipal Technical Advisory Service, and the Tennessee Municipal Attorneys Association. In 2022, Mark graduated from the Tennessee Bar Association's Leadership Law Program which selects less than 40 attorneys across the State of Tennessee for participation and focuses on leadership in the legal profession, issues in the courts, policy-making in state government, and the importance of community services.
Education
Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, Memphis, Tennessee
J.D. cum laude – 2008
Honors: Member, Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity
Honors: Mock Trial and Advanced Moot Court Competitions
Honors: Recipient, CALI Award
Honors: Recipient of the Cicero Award
David Lipscomb University
M.Ed. – 2004
David Lipscomb University
B.S. – 2001
Bar Admissions
- Tennessee
- Georgia
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee
- United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
Recent Publications & Accomplishments
2025: Burkhalter v. City of East Ridge, et al., United States District Court Eastern District of Tennessee, Case No. 1:22-CV-307 (Hamilton County, Tennessee)
- Successfully defendant municipality in obtaining summary dismissal of lawsuit alleging constitutional violations of Fourteenth Amendment (Due Process) and Fourth Amendment (Search and Seizure).
2024: ROA Chattanooga, LLC v. City of Chattanooga, et al., Hamilton County Chancery Court, Case No. 21-0234 (Hamilton County, Tennessee)
- Successfully defended client in 2024 in obtaining dismissal of action seeking mandamus relief for allegations of non-compliance with governmental regulations.
2023 Southern Spear Ironworks, LLC v. Prime Metals Acquisition, LLC, Hamilton County Circuit Court, Case No. 22-C-199 (Hamilton County, Tennessee)
- Successfully represented client in connection with claims for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and detrimental reliance.
Presentations
2019-2025 Municipal Planning Commission
- Present seminars for training and continuing education for planning commission members on land use planning, zoning, economic development, and parliamentary procedure.
2018 Municipal Law Border Region Retail Tourism Development District Act:
- Presented seminar focused on the Tennessee Border Region Retail Tourism Development District Act, T.C.A. § 7-40-101 et seq., which provides state sales tax funded incentives to large-scale retail developments.
2016 Employee & Employer Rights; Avoiding Company Liability
- Presented seminar focusing on employee rights and Employer avoiding liability.
2016 The Business of Lawyering: Professional Development for Today's Attorney's
- Presented seminar focusing on ethical aspects of the legal profession involving attorney-client relationship.
