Mark H. Bonner

Biography

Professor Mark H. Bonner is a member of the faculty at Ave Maria School of Law, where he teaches and writes in the areas of constitutional law, criminal law, criminal litigation, appellate advocacy, evidence, professional responsibility, and trial advocacy.

Professor Bonner earned his Juris Doctor from Washington College of Law in 1974 and received his Bachelor of Arts in History from Georgetown University in 1969.

He began his legal career at the U.S. Department of Justice, where he served for more than 25 years in a variety of significant roles. His DOJ service included work as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Los Angeles and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as service as Resident Legal Advisor in Moscow.

For 10 years, Professor Bonner directed the investigation and prosecution of high-profile federal cases involving international and domestic terrorism. His federal prosecutorial work included complex criminal litigation, appellate matters, terrorism-related investigations, and major national security cases.

Professor Bonner later served in the U.S. Department of the Treasury as Senior Advisor and Chief of Staff to the Undersecretary of the Treasury for Enforcement. Before joining Ave Maria School of Law, he served as Senior Advisor in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of International Affairs, where he oversaw the department’s activities involving the Group of Eight countries.

In addition to his government service, Professor Bonner taught as an adjunct professor of law at Georgetown University Law Center for 13 years. His teaching and professional experience bring together federal prosecution, appellate advocacy, criminal litigation, international legal cooperation, and national security law.

Education

• J.D., 1974, Washington College of Law
• B.A., 1969, History, Georgetown University

Professional Experience

Professor Mark H. Bonner began his legal career at the U.S. Department of Justice, where he served for more than 25 years in a variety of roles, including Assistant U.S. Attorney in Los Angeles and the U.S. Virgin Islands and Resident Legal Advisor in Moscow.

For 10 years, Professor Bonner directed the investigation and prosecution of high-profile federal cases involving international and domestic terrorism. He later joined the U.S. Department of the Treasury, where he served as Senior Advisor and Chief of Staff to the Undersecretary of the Treasury for Enforcement.

Before joining Ave Maria School of Law, Professor Bonner served as Senior Advisor in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of International Affairs, where he oversaw the department’s activities involving the Group of Eight countries. He also taught as an adjunct professor of law at Georgetown University Law Center for 13 years.

Honors & Professional Affiliations

• Recognition from the Attorney General of California for the prosecution of State v. Ruiz while cross-designated as Assistant Attorney General of California (1984)
• U.S. Department of the Treasury Meritorious Service Award (2003)
• Recognition from the General Procuracy of the Russian Federation for service as Resident Legal Advisor in Moscow (1998)
• Recognition from the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency for services related to U.S. litigation (1982, 1992)
• Recognition from the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for investigation, trial, and appeal in United States v. Simmonds (1999)
• Recognition from the Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs for work in United States v. Galliano (1990)
• Recognition from Chief of Staff, Kissinger Associates, Ambassador L. Paul Bremer, for work related to United States v. Galliano (1990)
• U.S. Department of Justice Special Achievement Awards, received on three occasions
• Chief Postal Inspector’s Award for investigation, prosecution, and appeal in United States v. Raymond D. Cheely, et al. (1995)
• Honorary Member, Russian Legal Academy (1998)

Media & Speaking Topics

Publications

SSRN

• Jimmy Gurule´, Mark H. Bonner & Laurie Levenson, Complex Criminal Litigation: Prosecuting Drug Enterprises and Organized Crime, (4^th ed. 2019).
• Mark H. Bonner, Using the Torture Act Against the Persecution of Christians, in The Persecution and Genocide of Christians in the Middle East 265 (Ronald J. Rychlack and Jane F. Adolphe, eds. 2017).
• Mark H. Bonner, An Ounce of Christian Virtue is Worth a Ton of Regulation, 6 The Gavel, Issue 2, p. 2 (Spring 2015).
• Mark H. Bonner and Jose Nunez, Evidentiary Issues in Criminal Trial Law – Demonstrative Evidence, 2015 Fl. CLE 2 credits, Ref. # 1608348N available at https://cle.avemarialaw.edu/product/evidentiary-issues-in-criminal-trial-law/
• Extradition, Mutual Legal Assistance, and Prisoner Transfer in Issues and Problems in Combating Organized Crime, Moscow, 1997.
• Selected published appellate briefs from the Third, Fourth, and Ninth Circuits:
• United States Simmonds, 235 F.3d 826 (3rd Cir. 2000)
• United States Cheely, 36 F.3d 1439 (9th Cir.1994)
• The Inquisition by Special Prosecutor in United States v. Senator Ted Stevens:  of Brady, Contempt, and the Forensic Trifecta, 51 Crim.L.Bull. 69-125 (2015).
• A Child Needs a Champion: Guardian Ad Litem Representation for Prenatal Children,    19 W&M Jour. of Women and the Law 511-584 (2013).