By Jo Mathis
Mark Jane is an Ann Arbor-based attorney who practices in the area of employee benefits and executive compensation. Jane has worked with a wide array of employee benefit plans, such as traditional pension (defined benefit) plans, 401(k) and 403(b) defined contribution plans, comprehensive health and welfare plans, and multi-employer pension and welfare benefit plans.
Jane is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Loyola University Chicago School of Law. He currently serves on the Washtenaw County Bar Association Board of Directors as a Community Liaison, and as a district representative on the State Bar of Michigan Young Lawyers Section Executive Council. Jane lives in Pittsfield Township with his wife, Heather Garvock, and their infant daughter, Genevieve.
Mathis: Did you become a lawyer because your big brother (Ann Arbor attorney Matt Jane) became a lawyer?
Jane: I think it certainly helped put the idea in my head that I could be a lawyer once Matt showed an interest in the law. However, I think the event that definitively set me on my career path was reading “To Kill A Mockingbird” in 8th grade. I couldn’t shake the thought that Atticus Finch was everything that I wanted to become.
Mathis: What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Jane: Perennial 50-yard line seats at Michigan Stadium with my wife and daughter sitting beside me watching every game unfold.
Mathis: You’re an expert an employee benefit plans. What employee benefit do you personally cherish most?
Jane: The dependent care flexible spending account—anything that helps out with the cost of daycare is great in my opinion!
Mathis: What is the trait you hate most in others?
Jane: Selfishness, hands down.
Mathis: If you suddenly had an extra room in your house, what would you do with it?
Jane: I would turn it into a bar and game room for billiards, darts, shuffleboard, early-era video games (Galaga, Dig Dug, etc.) and pinball machines.
Mathis: If you could do one thing professionally…
Jane: I would love to argue a case before the Supreme Court of the United States.
Mathis: What are your favorite web sites?
Jane: I normally go to espn.com (great comprehensive sports site), mgoblog.com (fun site for UM sports fans), and ew.com (tremendous movie and TV reviews).
Mathis: Would you rather save money or time?
Jane: I have an infant daughter —I need all the time in the world.
Mathis: What would you say to your 16-year-old self?
Jane: You’re going to like your next 16 years.
Mathis: Favorite joke?
Jane: A Michigan alumnus sits down at a bar to watch a football game. During the game, the Michigan alum asks the guy next to him if he wants to hear a good Ohio State joke. The guy replies, “Well, you can tell it to us, but I must warn you, I’m over 6 feet tall, I weigh 250 pounds, and I went to Ohio State. My friend next to me here is also over 6 feet tall, weighs 225 pounds, and also went to Ohio State. His friend sitting next to him happened to play for the Buckeyes. Now, tell us your joke.” The Michigan alum decides not to tell the joke. The former Ohio State player states, “All you Michigan fans are cowards.” The Michigan alumnus responds,“No, it’s not that. It’s just that I don’t want to have to explain the joke three times.”
Mathis: What is something most people don’t know about you?
Jane: I won my school spelling bee.
Mathis: Who is your favorite character of fiction?
Jane: Atticus Finch, of course!
Mathis: Favorite place to spend money?
Jane: Best Buy.
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