Rimon

Mark C. Franco

Partner

Corporate and Business Transactions, Non-Profit Organizations
Northern Virginia

EDUCATION

George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School

J.D.

Georgetown University

B.S.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

  • Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP, Counsel

    ADMISSIONS

  • State of Virginia
  • District of Columbia

Mr. Franco serves or has served as outside counsel for multiple professional and trade associations, public and private foundations, religious organizations, certification and accreditation bodies, advocacy organizations, political action committees, social clubs and other non-profit, tax-exempt organizations. He has substantial experience handling matters involving accommodations, accreditation and certification standards, chapter relations, charitable solicitations, contracts, credentialing, data security, due process, employment, entity formation, exam challenges and misconduct, fundraising, governance, intellectual property, policy development including DEI, privacy, professional ethics and discipline, regulatory compliance, score validation, test administration, tax, and vendor relations.  He is an I.C.E. Certified Credentialing Professional.

Mark regularly works with all kinds and sizes of non-profit organizations with their daily business concerns. He advises on specific issues related to affinity relationships, journal publishing, professional standards, service provider agreements, corporate and exhibitor sponsorships, employment agreements, consulting and independent contractor concerns, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, membership terms and conditions, disciplinary enforcement and corporate governance documents, among other things.

Selected Experience

  • Assisted multiple professional associations and societies with conference disruptions during the height of the COVID pandemic resulting in millions of dollars saved in fees and penalties
  • Advised a national trade association on responding to congressional inquiries
  • Assisted with the successful defense of a nonprofit credentialing organization against due process challenges related to its disciplinary process
  • Assisted with the creation of a limited liability company to establish and promote organizational standards related to the provision of applied behavior analysis
  • Advised a national certification body in the pharmacy profession on updating its code of professional conduct enforcement criteria and procedures
  • Assisted an international professional certification organization navigate complex federal economic sanctions programs

Publications

Speaking Engagements

Memberships

  • Board Member: Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards
  • Chair: Institute for Credentialing Excellence Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
  • Council Member: Institute for Credentialing Excellence Accreditation Services Council
  • Council Member: Accreditation Council on Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy Education
  • Committee Member: American Society of Association Executives Ethics Committee
  • Member: American Society of Association Executives
  • Member: American Bar Association

Awards and Recognition

  • Institute for Credentialing Excellence: Certified Credentialing Professional Certificate, March 2022
  • Institute for Credentialing Excellence: Credentialing Specialist Certificate, March 2017

EDUCATION

George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School

J.D.

Georgetown University

B.S.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

  • Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP, Counsel

    ADMISSIONS

  • State of Virginia
  • District of Columbia