COSTA MESA, Calif., June 16, 2011 – Mark Austin, a partner at Rutan & Tucker, LLP, California’s largest full-service law firm based in Orange County, has been named to the Board of Directors of the Illumination Foundation, a non-profit organization that addresses the crisis of homelessness in Orange County.
As a partner in the firm’s Business Litigation Department, Austin focuses on business-tort, real estate, and land use litigation. He has extensive trial experience and has handled and argued numerous appeals.
His clients have included residential and commercial developers, nationally recognized private companies, public entities, small businesses, and private homeowners.
Austin has been named to the annual list of Rising Stars prepared by Law & Politics Magazine, which places him in the top 2.5 percent of the best up-and-coming attorneys in the state.
He received his law degree from Loyola Marymount University in 2000, where he was a member of the St. Thomas Moore Law Honor Society and the Sayer MacNeil Law Honor Society. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Irvine.
“Homelessness in Orange County affects everyone. I am inspired to see the business community and conscientious individuals like Mark Austin rallying to motivate change and alleviate this issue,” said Paul Leon, Illumination Foundation CEO and president.
“We congratulate Mark on his new directorship and always encourage our attorneys to consider becoming involved with organizations that help to improve the lives of others,” said Ski Harrison, the firm’s managing partner.
About Rutan & Tucker LLP
Rutan & Tucker is California’s largest full-service law firm headquartered in Orange County, California with offices in Costa Mesa and Palo Alto. Primary practice areas include corporate and securities law, business and real estate litigation, labor and employment law, intellectual property, real estate, government and regulatory law, land use law, bankruptcy, condemnation and property valuation, environmental law, and taxation and estate planning. Detailed information about the firm is available at www.rutan.com.
About Illumination Foundation
The mission of the Illumination Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3), non-denominational, grassroots organization, is to bridge the gap in existing services for the most underserved to break or prevent the cycle of homelessness. Our public/private partnership combines housing and social services with healthcare and behavioral mental health services to reduce the impacts of homelessness and reduce people’s vulnerability to future homelessness. We offer a low-entry threshold to advance health and housing stability for the most vulnerable members of our community, with a focus on families with children and those with medical or mental health conditions. We empower adults with the tools to become self-sufficient and inspire children to grow into independent, productive adults. Detailed information can be found at www.ifhomeless.org.
