Managing Partner
Mark Caruso is originally from the Los Angeles area where he attended undergraduate and law school at Pepperdine University. He is a licensed attorney in both New Mexico and California. Mark represented insurance companies until he grew tired of helping them cheat people involved in car accidents. He changed to start helping these same people in accidents.
In 1986 he moved to New Mexico and met his wife Judy Velarde and was married. Together they opened Caruso Law Offices in 1987. Mark served in the New Mexico Legislature from 1991 to 1995 and has been named by Republican and Democrat Governors to various Boards and Commissions.
Mark Caruso has received numerous awards and commendations for his work in vehicle accidents and personal injury. He is a member of state and national trial associations and the ATAA (Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys).
While the law firm continues to represent exclusively victims from car and truck accidents, Mark has become extremely focused on larger tractor-trailer and semi-truck collisions. Over the past few years he has had two jury trials in U. S. District Court in New Mexico with jury verdicts of $5.5 million and $7.8 million. Mark is often consulted by other attorneys on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) and the application of these federal trucking regulations to New Mexico commercial motor vehicle crashes. In-state and out-of-state attorneys routinely refer their tractor-trailer and 18-wheeler cases to Mark Caruso.
Areas Of Practice
Trucking Accidents
Personal Injury
Wrongful Death
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Rideshare Accidents
Bar Admissions
California, 1982
New Mexico, 1987
U.S. District Court District of New Mexico, 1988
U.S. District Court Central District of California, 1983
U.S. District Court Southern District of California, 1995
U.S. District Court Northern District of California, 1995
U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 1983
U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit, 1987
U.S. Federal Courts, 1982
Education
Pepperdine University School of Law, Malibu, California
J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence - 1982
Honors: cum laude
Honors: Pepperdine University School of Law, Honors Board
Pepperdine University, Seaver College, Malibu, California
B.S., Bachelor of Science - 1979
Honors: magna cum laude
The National College of Advocacy
Keenan Ball Trial College (Reptile)
Honors and Awards
Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys
American Jurisprudence Award in Administrative Law
Martindale-Hubbell BV Highly Rated in Skill and Ethics Rated
Better Business Bureau, A+ Rating
American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys, Client Satisfaction Award
AVVO, Client Distinction Award
Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers Association, Top 100 Lawyers
National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys, Top 10 Attorneys
The Legal Network, Top Personal Injury Lawyers in New Mexico
Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Member
Professional Associations and Memberships
New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association, Member
American Association for Justice, Member
National Trial Lawyers, Member
American Society of Legal Advocates, Member
Esteemed Lawyers of America, Member
American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys, Member
National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys, Member
Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers Association, Member
Past Employment Positions
State Representative, New Mexico Legislature, Republican, Dist. 23 (1991-1995) House Committee Memberships (Judiciary, Consumer and Public Affairs and Labor) and Interim Legislative Committees (Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee and Workers Compensation Oversight Committee)
Chairman, New Mexico Municipal Boundary Commission (1988-1991) Member, (2011 to date)
Executive Director and Lobbyist, New Mexico Right to Work Committee and Oklahoma Freedom to Work Committee (1984-1986)
Campaign Manager, Boulter for U.S. Congress, (TX, 13th) (1983-1984)
Federal Trade Commission in Los Angeles, Lobbyist
Pro Bono Activities
NM Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD), Attorney Advisory Committee
Better Business Bureau of the Southwest (New Mexico)
Legacy Church
New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, Member
New Mexico Massage Therapy Board, 2015 to 2017
Fraternities/Sororities
Sigma Phi Epsilon
