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BACKGROUND: Mark received his Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in political science and Master of Arts with honors in political science, emphasizing public administration, both from the University of Florida in 1980 and 1982, respectively. Mark went on to receive his Juris Doctorate from Stetson University College of Law, graduating cum laude in 1987. Before engaging in the practice of law, Mark served in the U.S. Marine Corps, worked as a Planner for Hillsborough County, and was Planning Director for the City of Oldsmar, Florida. In 1989, Mark achieved membership in the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). EXPERIENCE: Mark is Board Certified by The Florida Bar as an expert in City, County and Local Government Law. Board certification is the highest level of recognition by The Florida Bar, and recognizes an attorney's special knowledge, skills and proficiency, along with professionalism and ethics in practice. His experience includes eminent domain litigation, land use, zoning, mediation, governmental and administrative law. Mark also received the highest peer review rating of AV published by the Martindale-Hubbell attorney directory. Mark has represented hundreds of private property owners against various condemning authorities around the state. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Bentley had his own firm for nine years. Mr. Bentley also served as in-house counsel to Radiant Oil Company of Tampa, Inc., now known as The Radiant Group, LLC, a regional Amoco Oil marketer, and its related corporations. Mark is very active within the community. He was Chairman of the Ybor City Development Corporation Board of Directors from 2001 to 2002, which is a non-profit organization established by the City of Tampa to coordinate redevelopment in Ybor City's Historic District, and Mark is still very active with this organization. Mark is also a member of the Board of Directors of Central Park Village Youth Services, Inc., which is also a non-profit corporation assisting in providing educational opportunities for disadvantaged children. Mark is also very involved in the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association and received the Suncoast Section's 2006 Distinguished Service Award. The award is given to individuals who have had an outstanding career in planning and have made significant contributions to the planning profession. EDUCATION: Stetson University College of Law, J.D. (1987) Cum Laude Honors/Activities: Associate Editor, Stetson Law Review; Charles A. Dana Scholar; Author, "Zoning for Land Users And Not Land Use", Vol. 16, No. 1, Stetson Law Review (Fall 1986), Author/Editor, "Recent Developments In The Law", Vol. 16, No. 3, Stetson Law Review (Summer 1987); Academic Scholarship Recipient; Selected as member of "Who's Who Among American Law Students" University of Florida, M.A. (Public Administration, May 1982) Honors University of Florida, B.A. (Political Science, June, 1980) Honors University of South Florida, Circuit Civil Mediation Graduate, March 1996 PROFESSIONAL: Board Certified by The Florida Bar as an expert in City, County and Local Government Law AV Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell Attorney Directory Member, American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) since 1989 Member, Eminent Domain Committee, The Florida Bar Member, Environmental and Land Use Law Section, The Florida Bar Member, City, County & Government Law Section, The Florida Bar Member, Hillsborough County Bar Association Member, Land Use and Environmental Law, Eminent Domain Law and Real Property Law Sections, Hillsborough County Bar Association Member, American Planning Association (APA) Member, Florida Planning and Zoning Association (FPZA) CIVIC: Chairman and Member, Board of Directors, Ybor City Development Corporation Secretary and Member, Board of Directors, Central Park Village Youth Services, Inc. Member, City of Tampa Civil Service Board (Four Years) Sponsor and Instructor for Suncoast APA AICP Exam Preparation Course (1998 to Present) Adjunct Professor, University of South Florida, Urban and Regional Planning Master's Degree Program. |
