Mark Burton, a BASF member, is looking out for the future of the legal profession. Thanks to the newly created Mark E. Burton Grant for Professional Engagement, first-year law students at Golden Gate University School of Law (GGU Law) can receive a fully-paid, one-year membership to The Bar Association of San Francisco.

The grant will offer more than 100 GGU Law students access to the broad array of educational and social activities enjoyed by BASF members.

Burton, a 1995 graduate of GGU Law, is excited about the opportunities that BASF membership will provide to the future lawyers, saying “This grant offers new law students opportunities for professional development and discussion on a broad array of legal topics, as well as conversations and networking with the Bay Area’s top legal minds.”

Burton has a long history of service to the Bay Area’s legal community and to GGU Law. As a partner at San Francisco law firm Hersh & Hersh since 2004, he manages, prepares, and handles a diverse group of personal injury matters, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, motor vehicle collisions, and medical malpractice. He has a deep background in mass tort litigation, which includes cases concerning medicine and medical devices such as Zyprexa and defibrillators/pacemakers. He also serves on Golden Gate University’s Board of Trustees and on GGU Law Dean’s Advisory Board.

Burton was named a 2009 Northern California Rising Star by Law & Politics Magazine.

In addition to BASF, he is a member of the American Association for Justice, American Inns of Courts, the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, and California State Bar Arbitrations.

“We are very grateful to Mark for this generous grant to support the career development of our newest students,” said GGU Law Dean Rachel Van Cleave. “It is wonderful that Mark appreciates how important it is for aspiring lawyers to engage with the legal community early in their career and that he is making it possible for them to get involved.”