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Mark Neuberger’s legal career has taken him far beyond the boardroom
As a labor and employment lawyer at Foley & Lardner, Mark Neuberger is a highly trusted adviser to businesses across industries—from high-tech and health care to the ever-evolving cannabis sector. However, his impact isn’t limited to corporate clients. For more than two decades, he has served as general counsel for the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, helping one of Miami’s most beloved cultural events thrive. His legal expertise, combined with a deep-rooted commitment to community service, makes him a standout figure in both the business and arts worlds.
Lawyer and Strategic Business Partner
Neuberger has been with Foley & Lardner for nearly 18 years, playing a key role in launching the firm’s Miami office in 2007. With more than 1,100 attorneys worldwide, the law firm is a powerhouse in the energy, health care and life sciences, innovative technology, and manufacturing sectors, and Neuberger’s specialty—labor and employment—puts him at the crux of some highly complex issues.
His work spans everything from workplace policies and union negotiations to navigating the legal complexities of the cannabis industry.
“People assume I must be a cannabis user because I work in the industry,” Neuberger jokes. “But my job is strictly legal, helping businesses stay compliant as the laws continually change.”
And his approach goes beyond compliance.
“At the end of the day, my job isn’t just about avoiding lawsuits,” he says. “It’s about helping companies run smarter and more efficiently. Understanding their business is just as important as knowing the law.”
Championing Pro Bono Work and the Arts
Despite his packed schedule, Neuberger has always made time for pro bono cases. His work has ranged from child dependency court cases to high-stakes international custody disputes under the Hague Convention.
One particularly gripping case involved an Italian father who took his children to Sicily and refused to bring them back. Navigating a legal maze between the United States and Italy, Neuberger helped secure the children’s return to their mother in San Diego.
Closer to home, his pro bono commitment extends to the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, where he has provided legal guidance since 2000. Though he doesn’t vote on the board, his legal advice plays a key role in shaping festival policy and ensuring its ongoing success.
“I first got involved when the festival director called me about a vendor dispute,” Neuberger recalls. “That was 24 years ago. I’ve been part of it ever since!”
A Passion for Mentorship and Miami’s Future
Though originally from New York, Neuberger has called South Florida home for three decades. He lives in Weston, Florida, with his wife, a retired Broward County schoolteacher, and enjoys time with his 13-year-old granddaughter.
Beyond work, his passions include travel and politics, though he admits political news can be overwhelming. “Some people watch sports. I watch politics,” he says with a laugh.
At Foley & Lardner, one of his favorite roles is mentoring young attorneys. Each year, the firm invites new associates and summer interns, keeping the profession vibrant. “They come in with fresh perspectives, and I love that,” he says. “It keeps me sharp!”
No Plans to Slow Down
With decades of experience behind him, Neuberger is still excited for what’s to come, with new and interesting challenges emerging in his practice as business and the law evolve.
Whether he’s advising corporate clients, shaping the Grove’s art scene, or mentoring a new generation of lawyers, Neuberger proves that a great career isn’t just about success—it’s about impact on the community.
