Mark Banovetz Tressler LLP

Banovetz, Mark T. Partner

Banovetz, Mark T. Partner

Practice Focus

Mark Banovetz concentrates his practice in the areas of aviation, insurance coverage and general civil and commercial litigation, including construction, professional liability, tort litigation and appellate work. Mark's clients benefit from his passion for aviation. He recently completed his FAA certification as a Commercial Pilot. Mark leads Tressler’s Aviation Practice Group and has been an instrument-rated private pilot for more than 22 years. 

Mark’s aviation work involves the representation of major aviation insurers in connection with aviation insurance coverage involving general aviation, commercial aviation, airport operations and the airline industry as well as coverage work involving drafting legal opinions, representation in insurance coverage litigation, representation in mediations and policy drafting. In addition, Mark works in defense of pilots and aviation-related businesses in air crash litigation and other aviation related litigation. He is regularly involved in aircraft accident investigations; tear down inspections and related aviation forensic and aviation mechanical work. 

Mark’s practice also involves the representation of major insurers of public entities nationwide in coverage matters, including the monitoring of underlying defense, handling mediations and the representation of carriers in coverage litigation. 

Mark represents insurers in connection with insurance coverage issues and insurance coverage litigation with emphasis on general liability coverage, including public entity coverage, advertising injury/personal injury and construction defect issues. Mark’s insurance practice extends to the representation of insurers in coverage matters and coverage litigation involving all types of errors and omissions claims made coverage with emphasis on lawyers E&O coverage. 

Mark also works in defense of professionals, including architects, real estate agents, medical professionals and lawyers. Additionally, he defends construction companies in connection with construction defects and contract disputes. 

Professional Background

Active in firm management, Mark serves on Tressler’s three-person Executive Committee, which is the governing body of the firm. In 2021 and 2023 Mark was named to the highly-selective Illinois Super Lawyers® in the area of Aviation and Aerospace. Mark was selected by his peers in 2021, 2023 and 2024 as one of The Best Lawyers in America© for Insurance Law. 

Mark started his practice with a Chicago insurance defense firm in 1992, where he gained substantial trial experience defending medical malpractice cases, legal malpractice cases, and aviation accident cases. Mark joined Tressler in 1998 and immediately took a leading role in major, national commercial litigation involving major players in the car wash industry. His experience includes successful jury trial practice in state and federal courts, including trials, declaratory judgment actions, and appeals.  He has handled appeals in state and federal courts, and has argued major cases at the appellate level, including cases before the Illinois appellate court and the Nevada Supreme Court.  

Mark is a member of the International Society of Air Safety Investigators. He previously served as president of the Naperville Flying Club, which owns and operates five private aircraft. During his tenure with the NFC, Mark regularly worked on the aircraft maintenance team. Mark is a current, active pilot and private aircraft owner, and served from 2007-2012 as Board President of Naper Aero (LL10), a private airport located in Naperville, Illinois.

 

Memberships & Affiliations

  • Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Member
  • American Bar Association, Member
  • Chicago Bar Association, Member
  • Chicago Bar Association Aviation Litigation Committee, Member
  • Illinois State Bar Association, Member 
  • International Society of Air Safety Investigators, Member
  • Lawyer Pilots Bar Association, Member

Publications

News

Presentations

Mark has written professionally for the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education and the Federation of Insurance and Corporate Counsel. Mark has lectured on insurance coverage issues, third party practice, and aviation law before bar associations, client groups, and aviation groups. In addition to his regular publications, Mark recently presented the following:

"Look Out Ahead: Obstructions to Air Navigation," SMU Air Law Symposium, April 5, 2018

“Navigating the Multiple Claimant/Limited Coverage Bad Faith Maze,” 2023 Aviation Insurance Association Conference, May 6, 2023

Personal Life

Tressler clients love Mark's hands-on understanding of aviation and the practical knowledge he brings to the table as both an experienced attorney and pilot. Mark recently completed his FAA certification as a Commercial Pilot. He worked towards the impressive certification for more than three years. The certification requires ground and flight training, an FAA written commercial pilot exam and an oral and practical exam with an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner. In 2021, Mark earned his Formation and Safety Team (FAST) Wingman Certification, which made him eligible to fly formation airshows in waivered airspace over major public venues such as NASCAR, Indy car races and NFL games.

He flies his yellow Navy T-34 Mentor in formation as part of the internationally acclaimed Lima Lima Flight Team. The team recently flew in the airshow over World Wide Technology Raceway in St. Louis for the official start of the NASCAR 300 Race.

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