Draft:Mark NeJame
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Submission declined on 28 September 2026 by SomeoneDreaming (talk).
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Mark NeJame | |
|---|---|
| Born | Mark Elias NeJame January 3, 1955 Orlando, Florida, U.S. |
| Education | University of Florida (BA) University of Florida College of Law (JD) |
| Occupation | Attorney |
| Spouse | Josie Arizola (m. 2003) |
| Children | 2 |
Mark Elias NeJame (born January 3, 1955) is an American attorney based in Orlando, Florida. He is the founder of the law firm NeJame Law. He has represented clients in several widely reported cases, including Tiger Woods and the parents of Casey Anthony, and he has worked as a legal analyst for CNN and HLN. With his wife, Josie NeJame, he co-founded Runway to Hope, a charity that supports children with cancer and their families.
Early life and education
[edit]NeJame was born in Orlando to Ann and Fred NeJame and is of Lebanese descent.[1][2] He worked from a young age to help support his family.[3] He graduated from Edgewater High School in 1972[4] and earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Florida in 1976. While in college, he opened a plant store in Gainesville, which he later sold to pay for law school.[3] He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida College of Law in 1980.[5]
Career
[edit]In 1981, NeJame and attorney Stuart Hyman founded the law firm NeJame & Hyman.[1] The firm's clients included bail bondsman Sheldon Polakoff, whom it defended against state and federal charges that included racketeering and loan sharking.[6] In 1995, NeJame founded NeJame Law, which practices personal injury, criminal defense, and civil litigation.[1]
Notable cases
[edit]- Priscilla Mae Young (1982)
NeJame's first murder trial was the defense of Priscilla Mae Young, who was accused of killing a teenage neighbor. During his closing argument, he stood on a chair to show the path of the bullet. The jury acquitted Young.[7]
- Charles Barkley (1997)
NeJame represented Jorge Lugo, whom NBA player Charles Barkley threw through a plate-glass window in Orlando. Barkley reached a civil settlement with Lugo.[8]
- Tiger Woods (2009)
Tiger Woods hired NeJame after a car accident outside Woods's home in Windermere, Florida. Woods was cited for careless driving and paid a fine.[9][10]
- Casey Anthony case (2008)
NeJame represented George and Cindy Anthony, the parents of Casey Anthony, and resigned later that year.[11] He later represented Texas EquuSearch, the volunteer group that had searched for Caylee Anthony.[12]
- Lou Pearlman
NeJame Law represented music promoter Lou Pearlman in civil cases before Pearlman's Ponzi scheme became public. The firm did not represent him in his criminal case.[13]
- Alan Grayson (2014)
NeJame represented U.S. Representative Alan Grayson after his estranged wife accused him of domestic battery. NeJame stated that Grayson's wife had struck the congressman.[14]
- Leo Visco
NeJame represented Leo Visco, an elderly man charged in Volusia County with first-degree murder after he shot his wife, who he said had asked him to do so as part of a suicide pact. Visco received a suspended sentence and probation.[15][16]
- Daniel Daley (2012)
NeJame represented Daniel Daley, an 84-year-old World War II veteran whose neck was broken by an Orlando police officer during a dispute over a towed car. A federal jury awarded Daley $880,000.[17]
- Jayden Baez (2022–2026)
NeJame represented the family of Jayden Baez, a 20-year-old shot and killed by Osceola County sheriff's deputies outside a Kissimmee store in 2022. In July 2026, the family reached a $1 million settlement in a federal civil rights lawsuit.[18]
- Dylan Lyons (2025)
NeJame Law filed a negligence lawsuit on behalf of the family of Dylan Lyons, a Spectrum News 13 reporter who was shot and killed in 2023 while covering a story in Orlando's Pine Hills neighborhood. The lawsuit, against the station's parent company, Charter Communications, alleged that the company failed to protect Lyons.[19]
Business interests
[edit]In 1992, NeJame leased the Beacham Theatre in downtown Orlando and opened a nightclub, Dekko's, in the building.[20] With partners, he later operated other clubs at the site, including Zuma Beach Club and Tabu.[21] In 1996, he opened a sports bar with Orlando Magic player Dennis Scott.[22]
Political activity
[edit]NeJame has hosted fundraisers for Democratic presidential candidates, including Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden.[23]
Media
[edit]NeJame has worked as a legal analyst for CNN and HLN.[24] CNN and Central Florida News 13 hired him to provide commentary during the 2013 trial of George Zimmerman, whom NeJame had twice declined to represent.[25][26] In 2023, he and Josie NeJame shared a Suncoast Regional Emmy Award in the human interest category for a video about Runway to Hope.[27]
Philanthropy
[edit]In 2010, NeJame and his wife founded Runway to Hope, an Orlando charity that raises money for pediatric cancer care.[28] Its Family Wellness Program, formerly the Family Assistance Program, gives financial help and other support to local families of children with cancer.[29] The charity's main event is an annual gala in which children with cancer walk a runway with celebrity guests.[30] According to Orlando Magazine, the charity had raised more than $11 million by 2025.[31]
Personal life
[edit]NeJame married Josie Arizola in 2003. They have two daughters[29] and live in Windermere, Florida.[32]
Recognition
[edit]The Central Florida chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals named Mark and Josie NeJame Philanthropists of the Year in 2014 and gave them its H. Clifford Lee Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.[33] Edgewater High School inducted him into its hall of fame in 2014.[4] Orlando Magazine has included him on its list of the 50 most powerful people in Orlando several times, most recently in 2026, when it listed Mark and Josie NeJame in its philanthropy and community category.[3][29]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 "Mark E. NeJame, One of the Country's Best Attorneys, CNN Legal Analyst, Philanthropist and Entrepreneur is Making a Difference". LawCrossing. December 23, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- ↑ Smith, Erin Geiger (November 30, 2009). "Tiger Woods' Lawyer Mark NeJame: Who Is He?". Business Insider. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Leusner, Jim (June 26, 2013). "50 Most Powerful People in Orlando". Orlando Magazine. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- 1 2 "New Edgewater High Hall of Famers include Secret Service chief, stage actor, nationally known attorney". Orlando Sentinel. February 28, 2014. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Mark Elias NeJame". The Florida Bar. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Bondsman No Stranger to Trouble: Polakoff: Police Were Out to Get Me". Orlando Sentinel. November 25, 1988. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- ↑ Johnson, Pamela (January 23, 2001). "Defender Is a Contender". Orlando Sentinel.
- ↑ "Barkley Settlement Is Reported". The Washington Post. December 5, 1997. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Tiger Woods apologizes as gossip magazine reports affair". CNN. December 2, 2009. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Woods hires lawyer, still shuns FHP". Orlando Sentinel. November 30, 2009. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- ↑ Lundy, Sarah (November 21, 2008). "Mark NeJame Quits as Anthonys' Attorney". Orlando Sentinel.
- ↑ "Letters, Emails, Docs Released In Casey Case". WFTV. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Lou Pearlman, disgraced founder of 'NSync and Backstreet Boys, dies in prison". United Press International. August 21, 2016. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- ↑ Weiner, Jeff (March 6, 2014). "NeJame: Alan Grayson's wife hit congressman with 'uppercut'". Orlando Sentinel.
- ↑ Kassab, Beth (February 1, 2002). "Trial Slated For Sept. 9 For Leo Visco". Orlando Sentinel.
- ↑ Haun, Michael (June 10, 2013). "Man who shot wife in 'mercy killing' avoids jail". The Daytona Beach News-Journal.
- ↑ Pavuk, Amy (August 17, 2012). "Jurors find OPD officer liable, award $880k in excessive force case". Orlando Sentinel.
- ↑ "Family of Jayden Baez reaches $1 million settlement in 2022 deputy-involved shooting lawsuit". WKMG-TV. July 25, 2026. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Family of former TV20 reporter Dylan Lyons sues parent company of TV station for negligence following death". WCJB-TV. January 29, 2025. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- ↑ Berry, Mike (October 14, 1992). "Another facade may soon grace historic Beacham". Orlando Sentinel.
- ↑ "Last Call: The Club Orlando Still Can't Forget". Orlando Signal. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Sports bar to bear Scott's name". Orlando Sentinel. March 7, 1996. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Mark NeJame plans to host Kamala Harris fundraiser, potentially in Florida". Florida Politics. July 22, 2024. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Zimmerman's plea for funds online? CNN contributor Mark NeJame on if this is a wise move". CNN. April 10, 2012. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Representing George Zimmerman". Super Lawyers. June 14, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- ↑ Eder, Steve (April 12, 2012). "Zimmerman Sought Tiger Woods's Lawyer". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- ↑ "47th Annual Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards: 2023 Recipients" (PDF). National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Suncoast Chapter. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Runway to Hope raises $400k to fight childhood cancer". Orlando Sentinel. March 22, 2011.
- 1 2 3 Walters, Catherine (October 1, 2026). "50 Most Powerful People of 2026 In Orlando: Philanthropy & Community Voices". Orlando Magazine. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- ↑ Santich, Kate (May 16, 2013). "Runway to Hope raises whopping $700,000". Orlando Sentinel.
- ↑ "Hope on the Frontlines of Pediatric Cancer". Orlando Magazine. September 19, 2025. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Mark NeJame plans to host Kamala Harris fundraiser, potentially in Florida". Florida Politics. July 22, 2024. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- ↑ "History of Award Winners". Association of Fundraising Professionals, Central Florida Chapter. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
External links
[edit]Category:1955 births Category:Living people Category:American lawyers Category:Florida lawyers Category:People from Orlando, Florida Category:University of Florida alumni Category:Fredric G. Levin College of Law alumni Category:American people of Lebanese descent
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