Mark S. Bagula

Mr. Bagula is the Managing Partner of the Litigation Department at The Watkins Firm, APC. Mr. Bagula oversees all litigation attorneys at the Firm through all phases of litigation. Mr. Bagula provides fourteen years of complex litigation experience, and trial practice.

Mark Bagula is a civil trial lawyer who represents plaintiffs and defendants in business, real property, and employment litigation. Mr. Bagula has obtained favorable results in all types of cases, some of which include Partnerships, Real Estate, Trade Secrets, Unfair Business Practices, Fraud, Breach of Contract, and Discrimination. Mr. Bagula is a certified Mediator by the San Diego Mediation Center, and believes in the cost efficiencies of resolving cases through Alternative Dispute Resolution. Mr. Bagula considers it his ethical duty to zealously represent his clients through the highest quality of service.

Mr. Bagula has tried to conclusion more than 65 cases before juries, judges, arbitration panels, and administrative law judges. In select cases, Mr. Bagula will associate as counsel in a case before trial, and then try the case as lead trial counsel. Mr. Bagula has obtained more than $24 million in settlements, judgments, awards, and verdicts for plaintiff clients. (Referral fees can be paid to referring attorneys, consistent with the California Rules of Professional Conduct.) Mr. Bagula has obtained numerous defense verdicts, summary judgments and favorable defense settlements for defendant clients. Mr. Bagula has resolved cases for defendants well below the claimed damages. In dollar terms, a conservative estimate of what Mr. Bagula has saved defendants over the years equates to more than $25.5 million (in settlements, judgments, awards, and verdicts).
Mr. Bagula is certified to appear in all California Courts, and before the Central and Southern Federal District Courts. In addition to an appeal before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Mr. Bagula has argued before both the Second Circuit and Fourth Circuit Courts of Appeal.

Mr. Bagula has taught courses at The University of California, San Diego (extension program) to foreign law students regarding the United States legal system. Mr. Bagula is a published author, having published, "Trustees of the Justice System: Quasi-Judicial Activity and the Failure of the 1990 ABA Model Code of Judicial Conduct," in the San Diego Law Review, Volume 31, No. 3.

In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Bagula is active in the legal community. Mr. Bagula is a member of the San Diego County Bar Association and serves as a Trustee on the San Diego County Law Library Justice Foundation. He is likewise active in various social organizations. Mr. Bagula previously served as President of the Democratic Professional Club, and the Mission Valley Rotary Club. He was also Vice-President of Understanding Climate Change, a non-profit organization.

Mr. Bagula is a graduate of the University of California, San Diego and earned his Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. He graduated early from both schools.

I am committed to the highest standards of integrity in each aspect of my practice. I am attentive to the client's needs, goals and objectives; and aim to provide high quality legal service.