With great sadness, we announce that Mark B. Sandground, Sr. passed away December 30, 2020.  He was 88 years old and at the time of his death still practicing law with his own firm.  Although his passing is a great sorrow, he didn't suffer much pain and was well-cared for by the medical team at Sibley where he had been admitted 2 weeks prior.

Throughout his cancer treatment which he endured with stoicism and (usually) good humor, he remained steadfast that he wanted to be cured and took on a rigorous treatment plan and continued to work from home when able.  When the cancer returned in the Fall, he decided to try another round of therapy, but his body was unable to fight on the way that his spirit would have.  Fortunately, his family was able to see him every day he was in hospital at the end of his life. He spoke of all his friends and was grateful for the concern of many who called to support him. (And yes, he even worked a few hours in those final weeks.)

Mark was born June 6, 1932 to Rose and Jack Sandground in Brookline, Massachusetts where his father was a noted parasitologist on the faculty at the Harvard Medical School in the Department of  Public Health.  An only child and an apt student, he graduated from the University of Michigan (his mother's alma mater) in 1952 and from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1955. He received an Honorary Doctorate from Johnson & Wales in 2000.  Mark practiced throughout his entire legal career in the Washington DC Metropolitan region, officing first in the District for 30 years and then in Tysons Corner.

He created a series of law firms after he was established and specialized in matrimonial law.  He was known as a legend in the field, a zealous advocate, and aside from thousands of clients drawn from the general community, he represented Senators, Congressmen, Cabinet Members, sports and entertainment celebrities, well-known (and obscure) artists, and even a few rock stars.  An omnivore at the Bar, he frequently practiced outside his specialty, representing foreign governments in Washington as well as contractors doing business in the U.S. from abroad.  His deep love of France was engendered by long-standing clients from Paris who transacted business in North America.   His love of the restaurant community was also legendary. He helped found several D.C. notable eateries in the 1970s including La Nicoise and the D.C. branch of the Palm Restaurant and invested in many others, too numerous to list.  He was especially proud of his long association with the late, great Jean-Louis Palladin and great, late Michel Richard and the current luminary Fabio Trabocchi.   He was never happier than while at the table of a brilliant chef.

He was especially well-known in the Fairfax County Bar where he was a Circuit Court fixture at Friday mornings 'motions practice' often juggling multiple matters before several different judges. His rivals feared his tactics which were sometimes aggressive (he relished scheduling depositions on weekends and holidays), but most of his colleagues were pleased to be in court with him because of his passion, commitment, and his irreverent and irresistible wit. He made them better lawyers for it.

He was a member of both the District of Columbia Bar and the Virginia Bar for well over 60 years as well as the many local courts.

It goes without saying that in his 88 years, Mark meant a lot to his family, friends, co-workers and clients.  He meant a lot to chefs and to winemakers around the globe.  He influenced the course of many lives for the good.  He taught many colleagues their legal skills, he demonstrated outstanding devotion to his profession, and he made a mean hot sauce at the Peking Gourmet Inn more nights than can be remembered.  His was a long and fulfilled life of work, dining out (often multiple times a day), and travel.  And more work.  He read volumes and was full of knowledge both practical and esoteric.  He was well-known for sharing interesting obituaries.  He couldn't resist stealing Tabasco sauce from anywhere and always loved a great deli.  He deeply adored his family, his wife Judy, sons Mark Jr. (Chipp) and Bruce their spouses Davina and Kathleen, his grandchildren Lauren, Forrest, Margaux and Oliver, not to mention his sibling golden retrievers, Jake and Bella, and their many predecessors.  All proudly carry on the uncommon family name.

Mark was an outstanding storyteller and was never happier than surrounded by his friends drinking bourbon, some great wine from his peerless cellar or just a cold beer.  He lived life on his terms, took no prisoners in the courtroom, and left few glasses unfinished.  He was an unmatchable life force with his own special field of gravity, and those who knew him well felt lucky to be pulled into its orbit.

Mark resided in Falls Church, Virginia and had homes in St. Michaels, Maryland and Key West, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, his family would ask that you make a donation the Sibley Hospital Foundation or the University of Virginia School of Law in Mark's memory.  They ask that you open your favorite beverage and toast to him in the new year.   They also ask that you don't forget him (as if such a thing were possible.)   Mark was many things but to his friends, forgettable was not one of them.

A memorial will be organized in his honor later in the year after the restrictions on social gatherings are lifted.