Mark J. Skakun III

Of Counsel

I am a trial lawyer with a focus on commercial litigation and intellectual property litigation. I represent clients in complex lawsuits before judges and juries, and have done so for 50 years.

Whether it’s a contract dispute, theft or trade secret, patent or intellectual property problem, or any other type of business tort issue, I enjoy helping my clients navigate the sometimes difficult waters of civil litigation. The more complex the problem, the more clients seek my advice. Extremely complicated pieces of litigation, known as “Bet The Company” litigation, are my area of expertise.

My clients depend on me throughout every stage of the litigation process. I stay razor sharp every second because I understand my responses to unforeseen circumstances can determine if we win or lose. I work hard to ensure I give my clients the best trial representation possible, and I will do the same for you and your business.

AWARDS & HONORS

  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® (1995-2026)
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers® as the 2025 Litigation – Intellectual Property and Litigation – Patent “Lawyer of the Year” award winner in Akron
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers® as the 2023 Litigation – Patent “Lawyer of the Year” award winner in Akron
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers® as the 2023 Litigation – Bet-the-Company “Lawyer of the Year” award winner in Akron
  • Recognized as one of America’s Top 100 Bet-The-Company Litigators® (2021)
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers® as the 2018 Litigation – Bet-the-Company “Lawyer of the Year” award winner in Akron
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers® as the 2015 Litigation – Patent and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants “Lawyer of the Year” award winner in Akron
  • Recognized in Super Lawyers Business Edition® for Intellectual Property Litigation (2015)
  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® for practicing in: Bet-the-Company Litigation – Defendants, Intellectual Property, Product Liability, Commercial Litigation – Breach of Contract, Business Disputes, Civil Litigation, Commercial Disputes, Complex Litigation, Covenants Not to Compete, Intellectual Property, Criminal Defense: White-Collar – Federal, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants (2014)
  • Named Best Lawyers in America® ‘Lawyer of the Year’ for Akron Litigation – Intellectual Property (2014)
  • Selected for inclusion in Ohio’s Super Lawyers® (2004-2024), as voted by his peers
  • Listed in Ohio’s Super Lawyers® as Top 100 (2009-2012)
  • Listed in Cleveland’s Super Lawyers® as Top 50 (2009)
  • Recognized in Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel Edition® for Intellectual Property Litigation (2008-2010)
  • Recognized in Super Lawyers Business Edition® for Intellectual Property Litigation (2008-2010)
  • Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating of AV Preeminent™, which is the highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards as established by confidential opinions from members of the Bar

PROFESSIONAL & CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

  • Scanlon Inn of Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit Court, Judicial Conference, Life Member
  • District Court, Northern District of Ohio, Civil Justice Reform Act (CJRA) Advisory Group

Presentations & Publications

Presentations:

  • “Current Trends in Business and Commercial Litigation: How to Protect Your Company from Unfair Competition,” ExecSense, Inc. (2012)

Publications:

  • Co-Author: Chapter in the book “Intellectual Property Law 2007: Top Lawyers on Trends,” Key Strategies for the Upcoming Year entitled “A Supreme Court Case that Was Never Decided: But Did the United States Patent and Trademark Office Get the Message?,” Aspatore Books (2007)
  • Has edited Banks Baldwin Annotated, “Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure”
  • Contributing Author: “Inside the Minds, Developing an IP Strategy for Your Company,” chapter  entitled “Winning Legal Strategies,” Aspatore Books (2005)

Mark J. Skakun III

Of Counsel

Tel: 330.491.5319

Fax: 330.492.9625

Canton

4277 Munson Street NW
Canton, OH 44718

EDUCATION

  • Case Western Reserve University School of Law (J.D., 1974)
  • University of Notre Dame (B.A., 1971)

ADMISSIONS

  • Ohio
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Tax Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Washington, D.C. Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Claims
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin

Associations

  • Akron Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • Ohio State Bar Association
  • Stark County Bar Association

PRACTICE AREAS

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Experience

  • Handles a wide range of litigation including:
    • Numerous oil and gas cases, including class actions
    • Patent litigation
    • Unfair competition cases and trade secret litigation
    • ERISA special separation programs and/or pension claims, including class action suits
    • Employment discrimination cases
    • International litigation
    • Virtually all areas of commercial litigation
  • Has extensive experience in federal litigation matters
  • Joined the firm as an associate attorney in 1977; was elected partner in 1982
  • Served three terms as vice president of the firm’s board of managers
  • Prior to joining Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLC, served a clerkship for Judge Contie, who was then of the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, late Circuit Judge