Meet Mark Cannon, an attorney at Daniel Stark. Mark works out of our Tyler, Texas, office and handles all aspects of preparing and prosecuting cases for trial. He is committed to advocating for our clients and fights to help them get the full value of their injuries.
Born and raised in Plano, Texas, Mark has fond memories of being a skater kid. He spent hours doing BMX tricks on skateboards and bikes with his brother. Now, Mark’s passion is cars. He and his son attend car shows together, travel to buy new vehicles, and Mark’s office at Daniel Stark is adorned with almost 500 mini Volkswagen bug toys collected over 25 years. Working in a mentally demanding job, Mark finds joy in getting his hands dirty, smelling the oil, and fixing things. “Playing with anything powered by an engine is my ultimate stress release,” said Mark.
In his freshman year of high school, Mark’s family resided in Germany, sparking his passion for history. As a result, when Mark pursued his undergraduate studies at Texas Tech in Lubbock, he earned a degree in History with a minor in English. Mark’s lifelong dream was to become a police officer, which he planned to pursue after graduating.
However, due to an incident at a gun range affecting his hearing, Mark was unable to meet the physical requirements to join DPS. He still wanted to pursue a career that would allow him to serve and protect vulnerable individuals. That’s when he realized that going to law school and becoming a prosecutor could fulfill that desire.
He applied to Texas Tech for law school to pursue his legal education, focusing on criminal law, including advanced courses on death penalty law. His studies deepened his sense of justice.
During law school, Mark was classmates and friends with Jonathan Stark and Danny Daniel, Daniel Stark’s future co-founders and Partners. Mark, Jonathan, and Danny stayed in touch for over 20 years after graduating.
Mark’s first job in the legal field was an assistant district attorney in Smith County, where he started his career as a misdemeanor prosecutor, quickly moving up to handle felony cases.
“Just one day after being sworn in by a local judge, I was assigned as the sole prosecutor in the county court,” said Mark. “I had only been licensed as a lawyer for 11 hours, and I was already selecting juries. I learned so much so fast, but talk about baptism by fire.”
Though initially nerve-wracking, Mark recommends starting a career in law at a prosecutor’s office. “It’s an incredible way to jumpstart your career, gain trial experience, and determine if the courtroom is where you belong. It immediately throws you into the action,” Mark explained. “Working as a prosecutor lets you learn from seasoned lawyers who have been in the field for decades.”
After two years at the district attorney’s office, Mark was referred by a judge to a local civil firm.
Transitioning into personal injury law shocked Mark at first. Coming from a criminal law background, the emotional aspect of personal injury law differed greatly.
The most shocking part of Mark’s new position was seeing how a severe injury can drastically alter someone’s life. “One moment they’re just doing their job, or driving down the street — something they’ve done countless times. Then they get injured, and their life changes forever,” said Mark.
Mark spent the next 18 years specializing in general civil defense.
One day, Mark received a call from Jonathan Stark.
Jonathan offered Mark the opportunity to work together at Daniel Stark. Mark accepted without hesitation, excited for a chance to handle complex personal injury cases. After visiting the firm, Mark instantly knew that it was where he wanted to be. In January 2021, he officially joined our team, and Mark says the experience has been remarkable ever since.
According to Mark, Daniel Stark’s dedication to prioritizing clients sets us apart from other law firms. Mark emphasizes that we deeply care about our clients, treating them as individuals rather than mere numbers or files. Mark has witnessed legal assistants shedding tears because they genuinely care about the people they serve. It’s this dedication to his clients that makes Mark proud to work as a Tyler, Texas, car accident lawyer.
Mark draws inspiration from the stories of his clients, particularly those who refuse to give up despite facing adversity. He admires clients who find creative solutions to work and live despite challenges caused by an injury. Their unwavering spirit motivates him to be stronger and more determined in his own life.
We love having Mark on our team. With his unique background in criminal law and compassionate spirit, he helps us serve our clients with care and motivates us to fight against big insurance bullies.
