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Mark Bernstein Receives McKnight Award

Article Date: Friday, June 26, 2009

Mark Bernstein accepts McKnight Award.

Mark R. Bernstein of Charlotte has been selected by the North Carolina Bar Association as the 2009 recipient of the H. Brent McKnight Renaissance Lawyer Award. Presentation of the award took place during the President's Luncheon at the NCBA Annual Meeting on Friday, June 26, at the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in Asheville.

Ken Butler, chair of the NCBA Professionalism Committee, presented the award.

Bernstein is a native of York, Pa., but he has called North Carolina home for most of his adult life. He received his bachelor's degree in history from the University of Pennsylvania in 1952 and law degree from Yale University in 1957. In between the pursuit of degrees from these esteemed Ivy League institutions, he served in the U.S. Army as a 1st lieutenant in the infantry.

He began his career with Kennedy, Covington, Lobdell & Hickman (now K&L Gates) in 1957 and later served as a partner in Haynes, Graham, Bernstein & Baucom. In 1968, he became a partner in the firm of Parker, Poe, Adams & Bernstein where he now maintains retired-of counsel status.

Mark Bernstein accepts award from Charles Becton, left, and Ken Butler, right.

"The classical Renaissance man was one who set out to make all knowledge his own," states longtime colleague George Daly in nominating Bernstein. "The Renaissance man of today is one who puts his mind and heart to the great issues of the day and gains happiness in so doing.

"A Renaissance man knows that character is easier kept than regained. Mark Bernstein is all of these men."

Bernstein's record of community service and leadership in bar-related endeavors is extensive. He has served as president of the Golden Circle Theatre, the Charlotte Symphony, the Charlotte Civitan Club, Temple Beth-El, Olde Providence Racquet Club, the American Symphony Orchestra League, the Foundation of Shalom Park, Inc., the Charlotte Jewish Community Center, Inc., Charlotte Lodge of B'nai B'rith and the Mecklenburg County Bar.

In addition, Bernstein has provided board leadership to more than 20 organizations and corporations, serving as chairman of the N.C. Economic Development Board, the Mayor's Committee for a Performing Arts Center and the Foundation for the Carolinas.

Previous honors extended to Bernstein include the Arts & Science Council Vanguard Award, the Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) Distinguished Service Award, the National Conference of Christian & Jews Silver Medallion Award, the Israel Humanitarian Award and the Charlotte Jewish Federation of Charities Man of the Ages Award.

"Mark's friendship and counsel for over 40 years have provided me invaluable insight and advice both personally and corporately," states Leon Levine, founder and chairman emeritus of Family Dollar, in support of Bernstein's nomination. "He has, without question, been a loyal friend and advisor whose sense of dedication and commitment pales to none.

"Mark is and always has been a devoted family man, yet he has given and continues to give generously without hesitation of his time to our community, our city and our state. He remains involved in every aspect of good citizenship and compassionate humanity. He is highly respected and admired by his peers and all whose who know him.

"To me, Mark is the epitome of what an attorney should represent and what a friend should be."

Bernstein becomes the fourth recipient of the H. Brent McKnight Renaissance Lawyer Award, preceded by Peter Gilchrist (2006), E. Osborne Ayscue Jr. (2007) and Wade Smith (2008).

The award was proposed by the NCBA Professionalism Committee in 2006 and adopted by the NCBA Board of Governors to recognize attorneys who demonstrate the "Renaissance Lawyer" qualities embodied by Judge McKnight, who died in 2004 while serving on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of N.C.

Erna Womble and Bill Womble Jr., who currently serve as co-chairs of the McKnight Award Subcommittee, spearheaded the establishment of the award in memory of the former committee chair in an effort to recognize those North Carolina attorneys whose trustworthiness, respectful and courteous treatment of all people, enthusiasm for intellectual achievement and commitment to excellence in work, and service to the profession and community, inspire others.