Mark is a University of South Carolina Law School graduate and currently works as the Vice President Ombudsperson at Boeing and is the Author of his brand new book, Lessons From the Admiral: Naval Wisdom and Sea Stories for Leaders. Mark’s career trajectory is nothing short of extraordinary. Starting as a part of the US Navy, he went on to law school, and today, he’s an author sharing hard-earned insights and life lessons.
We begin at the University of North Carolina, where Mark was part of the ROTC, kicking off a 30-year career in the U.S. Navy. As a Naval Flight Officer, he spent his days tracking submarines. But after some pivotal conversations with a mentor—a JAG officer— it would plant a new direction for Mark: law school. Fast forward, and Mark found himself at the University of South Carolina School of Law, navigating an intense first year that marked a sharp departure from his military background. Yet, he thrived, discovering an affinity for specific areas of law that fueled his next steps.
Mark reflects on those transformative years, highlighting the steep learning curve and the unique perspective that his military background brought to his legal studies. We discuss his passion for aviation law and his tenacity in networking, a skill he attributes to landing every position he's held. Mark’s advice? Dive in. Find your associations, boards, and mentors; offer value without expectation. His approach to networking is bold and direct, driven by a belief that there’s nothing to lose and everything to gain by putting yourself out there.
We also explore his latest venture as an author. Mark’s new book, Lessons from the Admiral: Naval Wisdom and Sea Stories for Leaders, is packed with actionable insights on leadership. He shares wisdom on active learning, setting clear expectations, doing your homework, and—perhaps most importantly—investing in people. From thrilling sea stories to grounded leadership advice, Mark’s book is a masterclass in resilience and growth.
This episode is filled with Mark’s hard-won wisdom and tactical advice. Don’t miss this chance to learn from a seasoned leader who’s walked the walk. Check out Lessons from the Admiral, coming this January—Mark was kind enough to send me an advance copy, and I can’t recommend it highly enough!
Mark’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/markcfava
Mark’s Blog: theaviatorlawyer.com
Lessons from the Admiral: Naval Wisdom and Sea Stories for Leaders: https://a.co/d/6HBWm87
Be sure to check out the Official Sponsors for the Lawyers in the Making Podcast:
Rhetoric - takes user briefs and motions and compares them against the text of opinions written by judges to identify ways to tailor their arguments to better persuade the judges handling their cases. Rhetoric's focus is on persuasion and helps users find new ways to improve their odds of success through more persuasive arguments. Find them here: userhetoric.com
The Law School Operating System™ Recorded Course - This course is for ambitious law students who want a proven, simple system to learn every topic in their classes to excel in class and on exams. Go to www.lisablasser.com, check out the student tab with course offerings, and use code LSOSNATE10 at checkout for 10% off Lisa's recorded course!
Start LSAT - Founded by former guest and 21-year-old super-star, Alden Spratt, Start LSAT was built upon breaking down barriers, allowing anyone access to high-quality LSAT Prep. For $110 you get yourself the Start LSAT self-paced course, and using code LITM10 you get 10% off the self-paced course! On top of that, Alden offers an upcoming 10-week course for the January LSAT. Using code LITM100 you get $100 off the 10-week course! Check out Alden and Start LSAT at startlsat.com and use both code LITM10 for 10% off the self-paced course, and LITM100 for $100 off the 10-week course!
Share this post