Mark Joseph McGowan

Mark Joseph McGowan

4.9
Rating: 8.4

Licensed for 29 years

Trusts Lawyer at Palm Desert, CA
Practice Areas: Trusts, Probate, Personal Injury ... +3 more

72630 Fred Waring Drive, Suite 201, Palm Desert, CA

About Mark

Biography

Mark J. McGowan is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Stanford University (1981) and graduate of Stanford Law School (1984). His practice focuses on representing individuals, estates, and businesses in trans...

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in California for 25 years

State: California

Acquired: 2000

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in Washington for 24 years

State: Washington

Acquired: 2002

Administrative Suspension

No misconduct found

Licensed in Florida for 29 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 1996

Retired

No misconduct found

Location

The Law Offices of Mark J. McGowan

72630 Fred Waring Drive, Suite 201, Palm Desert, CA, 92260

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Mark Joseph McGowan's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

127 Client Reviews

Showing 6 - 10 of 123 reviews | 5 stars

Posted by Joshua | January 05, 2026 | Hired Attorney | Probate

Probate or trust

Mark McGowan was excellent to work with. He was prompt, professional, and consistently responsive throughout the process. He clearly understands California probate law and explained each step in a way that was easy to follow, which helped reduce a lot of stress. Mark stayed on top of deadlines, commu...nicated updates proactively, and made sure everything was handled correctly. Overall, I’m very satisfied with the outcome and would absolutely recommend him to anyone needing probate or trust-related legal help in California.

Posted by anonymous | December 13, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Excellent Support Reviewing My Separation Agreement

I had an excellent experience working with Mark McGowan on reviewing my separation agreement. He approached the process with genuine compassion, maintaining positive intent throughout and ensuring every conversation remained non-contentious and constructive. Mark took the time to understand my concer...ns and explained complex terms in a clear, reassuring way. The review was handled efficiently without ever feeling rushed, and I felt fully informed and supported at every step. His attention to detail and thoughtful guidance gave me real peace of mind. I would highly recommend his services to anyone seeking thorough, empathetic, and timely legal support.

Posted by Adriana | December 01, 2025

QUALITIES THAT IMMEDIATE BUILT TRUST

“Mark was prompt in returning my call on the Monday following the Thanksgiving holiday — a time when schedules are hectic and stress is high. I truly appreciated that responsiveness, especially while losing sleep and unsure whether I needed legal counsel. During our consultation, he listened close...ly and asked clear, focused questions to ensure no detail was overlooked. His calm, professional approach put my mind at ease in a situation I have never experienced before. He provided direction, clarity, and reassurance at a moment when I needed it most. Comforting, knowledgeable, and straightforward — qualities that built immediate trust. I am grateful for his guidance.”

Posted by Craig | July 30, 2025

Professional and Knowledgeable

Mark was very prompt in returning my inquiry. He was most professional and knowledgeable in answering all of my questions. I have known him for a number of years and appreciated his insights regarding my situation.

Posted by Alan | July 23, 2025

Real Estate questions

Mark was very kind to interrupt his day for a consultation, which is rare in this business climate. I found him knowledgeable and able to educate me on my questions. I enjoyed his courtesy and professionalism extended during our visit. I after our meeting, felt Mark is a Gentleman that will be di...rect, forthright and not leave one in question of his intensions to assist his clients. Regards, Alan

See All Client Reviews

Mark Joseph McGowan's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Mark
Carolyn Holt Martino headshot
Carolyn Martino

Trusts lawyer | Jul 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Very knowledgeable and professional. Highly respected for his ethics and hard work."

View All Endorsements

No Endorsement Data Available Yet
This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.

Experience

Rating:  8.4 (Excellent)

Honors

2004

Certified Specialist - California State Bar, California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization

2001

Attorney and Counsellor, Supreme Court of the United States of America

1981

Phi Beta Kappa, Stanford

Work Experience

2000 - Present

Attorney and Counsellor, The Law Offices of Mark J. McGowan

1984 - 1986

Practitioner, Rifkind, Sterling & Levin

Associations

American Bar Association

Desert Bar Association

Stanford Alumni Association

Education

1984

Stanford Law School

JD - Juris Doctor

1981

Stanford University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Languages

English

Spanish

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
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  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution