Mark Baker

Mark E. Baker is the principal attorney in Baker & Associates, in Woodland Hills, CA. Mr. Baker has practiced law in Southern California for over 25 years, mainly in the areas of real estate, construction law, business transactions and litigation, collections and contracts. Mr. Baker did his undergraduate work at Cal State University Northridge, and entered law school at Glendale University College of Law at the young age of 19. He passed the California bar exam at the age of 23 and relates that in the early years he often had to convince judges he really was a licensed attorney.

Mr. Baker began practicing real estate and construction law immediately, as a sole practitioner, and as in-house counsel for a chain of contractor’s license schools. Mr. Baker also gave legal seminars for new graduates of the school who were preparing to take the state exam. Very soon, the school associated with a construction trade organization, and Mr. Baker was one of two attorneys who provided legal advice for members. Since then, Mr. Baker has represented clients from virtually every facet of the construction and development industry, including general and specialty contractors; suppliers; owner/developers; a fund control company; and architects and engineers. Mr. Baker has represented these clients in every aspect of the construction business, from reviewing and drafting contracts, financing, bonding, insurance, and "due diligence" matters, to successfully prosecuting and defending contested arbitrations, civil actions and appeals. Over the years, Mr. Baker’s clientele has expanded to include businesses and business owners from many other areas, including computer technology; auto sales and leasing; lending and finance; wholesale and retail sales; medical supplies; common interest developments; clothing; and hotels and resorts.

Mr. Baker has been instructing "Legal Aspects of Construction Projects and Contracts" in the UCLA Extension program since 2007, first as a co-instructor with Judge James A. Steele, and as the principal instructor since 2009.