Mark Sklarz

Mark Sklarz is a partner with Green & Sklarz LLC. For over 50 years, Mark Sklarz has advised companies of all sizes through hundreds of sophisticated transactions. Since being admitted in Connecticut in 1970, Mark has counseled businesses in all types of transactions, advised business entities and real estate developers on governance structure, developed efficient tax strategy for family and generational transfer of business interests, and provided succession tax planning. Mark has extensive experience in counseling developers in multiple commercial projects, including land use, construction, financing, and regulatory aspects of office and retail complexes, university residential halls, shopping centers, and industrial parks.

One of his most notable experiences was the longtime representation of New Haven-based Starter Corporation, a sports clothing manufacturer which was the pioneer of the sports apparel licensing industry. From 1979 through 1999 Starter was either an exclusive or major licensee and on the field supplier of apparel and uniforms for Major League Baseball, the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League, colleges and universities throughout North America.  Starter was also a licensee and supplier for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games. Mark represented Starter in negotiations with the leagues and colleges and counseled the company through the IPO that helped the company expand its distribution throughout 25 countries.

Mark is a past Chair of the Business Law Section of the Connecticut Bar Association and a member of the Connecticut Bar Association (“CBA”), chaired a joint committee of the tax and business law committees which resulted in the enactment of the Connecticut Entity Transaction Act in 2012, substantially improving the landscape for business entities operating in Connecticut and encouraging new businesses into the state.  Mark has also been active, including providing testimony, in the adoption of the current bill, unanimously passed by the 2016 legislature, to provide Connecticut with a modernized code to govern limited liability companies.  In 2015 Mark served on a special task force appointed by Governor Daniel Malloy to recommend measures to attract businesses to Connecticut.

Mark, a life-long resident of New Haven, is very active in local and regional affairs, having served as co-chair of New Haven Mayor Toni Harp’s Transition Committee in 2013, charged with vetting candidates for administration positions, reviewing the budget, and surveying various city services and department needs. He also currently serves on the Tweed New Haven Airport Authority Board of Directors. Mark was inducted into the Connecticut Chapter of Junior Achievement New Haven Business Hall of Fame in 2015, recognizing his contributions to the business community.

Mark is a frequent lecturer at continuing legal education programs. He is an active member of the business law section of the American Bar Association and a member of the New Haven County Bar Association. He is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Tax Section of the CBA.  Mark was a longtime member of the Connecticut Bar Examining Committee. He also served as a member of the Commission on Connecticut’s Leadership in Corporation and Business Laws created by the General Assembly to review business laws and methods to retain Connecticut businesses and encourage new business to the state. He has testified before the Connecticut legislature in support of the Connecticut Entity Transactions Act, amendments to the Connecticut Business Corporation Act and the Connecticut Uniform Limited Liability Company Act.

Among community activities, Mark is past President and Chairman of the Board of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven, president of First City Fund Corporation, past president of Congregation Mishkan Israel in Hamden, CT, a member of the board of trustees and past chair of the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven, past president of the Jewish Community Center of Greater New Haven. He was a recipient of the 2014 Torch of Liberty Award of the Anti-Defamation League in recognition of his advocacy of civil rights and his community service in the Greater New Haven area. Mark is past trustee of Hopkins School and in 2003 received the Hopkins Medal for his long-time service and contribution to the school.

Mark received his B.A. from Franklin and Marshall College; his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Connecticut School of Law; and his LL.M. in Taxation from New York University School of Law. Mark is admitted to practice in Connecticut and before the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut the U.S. Tax Court, and the Supreme Court of the United States of America.