A tragedy

Last week, Brandon called me and told me that one of his co-workers, Mark Hummels, had been shot just after a settlement conference at an office building across town.  Although the shooting didn't happen near Osborn Maledon, Brandon's building was surrounded by police and put on lockdown for a few hours because the gunman had not been caught.  Over the next few days, we poured over the news stories and hoped/prayed for the best.  I included the news story below, but what basically happened is that Mark and his client, Steve Singer, were at a meeting (settlement/mediation) at an office building in north-central Phoenix.  The other party involved in the lawsuit was Arthur Harmon, a 70 year old man who was representing himself.  During the middle of the settlement, Arthur asked if he could go get something in his car.  After quite a few minutes, Mark and Steve decided to leave since they assumed he wasn't going to be coming back.  In the lobby of the office building on their way out, Arthur shot both the client and Mark multiple times from behind.  From what I understand, Steve was shot in the head and died a few hours later.  Mark had been shot in the neck and lower back, although we later learned that the bullet had penetrated his brain and he was on life support; he passed away the next evening.

Although I didn't know him personally, I was honored to be in attendance at his funeral today, and was touched by all those who spoke (Mark's brother, Judge Andrew Hurwitz, and Shane Ham).  I haven't been to very many funerals; in fact, I think I've only been to one (my grandfather's).  And I certainly hadn't been to one that wasn't LDS-based.  There were at least 1000 people in attendance at the theatre, and the service was beautiful and perfect, and this might not make sense, but I appreciated the diversity that the meeting offered.  I was very emotional - it makes me so sad to think that he was taken away from his family (wife & two kids), and that someone did this to such a good person.  I don't think something like this ever makes sense, so I'm grateful for the knowledge I have of the Gospel, and it makes me appreciate the things that really matter most.

Other little things to remember:  Mark's favorite day of the week was "Dad-urday".  He told Shane in his first interview, that he enjoyed working at Osborn Maledon because of its ethics - meaning that the people who worked there were some of the most ethical people he knew.  Besides being brilliant, he was quirky and unique - he even knew how to ride a unicycle and kept one in his office.  In Brandon's last conversation with Mark, they talked about how he was learning to play the ukulele.  Multiple times, it was mentioned that he easily connected with people from all backgrounds and walks of life.  While on life support, the family donated as many of his organs as possible - including his liver, kidneys, lungs for research, heart valves, skin, etc. - which is what he would have wanted.

from Osborn Maledon's website

Feb. 1, 2013

Our friend and partner, Mark Hummels, died at 9:33 p.m. last evening from injuries he suffered in Wednesday's senseless shooting in Phoenix.

We are devastated at this news about our beloved friend. Our deepest sympathy and support pour out to his wife, Dana, and their two children. The trust and affection Mark inspired in every reach of our law firm and with his clients are a lasting testament we will always cherish.

We are sad beyond measure also to have lost our long-time friend and client, Steven D. Singer, the CEO of Fusion Contact Centers, in this tragedy. Steve was a long-time client of the firm and an accomplished entrepreneur. Our thoughts and prayers are with Steve's family as well.

Mark Hummels was the best kind of lawyer - a man who was highly capable in his practice and caring to his core about his community. Still in the early years of his career, Mark earned many accolades for his skill as an attorney. He was president of the Phoenix Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and highly regarded by the State and Federal bench. He was recognized by "Benchmark Litigation" as a "future star" in litigation. To judges, attorneys and other professionals, he was a trusted counselor in ethics and disciplinary proceedings.

Mark also gave back to the community at large, serving on the training committee for Arizona Town Hall and providing pro bono legal services to those who could not afford counsel. This giving spirit was enhanced during his early years as a reporter for the "Santa Fe New Mexican," an experience that honed his rare insights into people and our society.

Above all, Mark was the most decent of men. An adoring husband, dedicated father and true friend, Mark was what all of us aspire to be on our best days.

As has been reported, both Mark and Steve were engaged in a mediation before they were shot.

The loss of Mark and Steve in any circumstances would be a tragedy. For this to happen to them, while pursuing Mark's life's work to resolve conflicts peacefully, is beyond understanding, a terrible loss for us all.

from news.yahoo.com

PHOENIX (AP) — A lawyer wounded by a gunman in a Phoenixoffice shooting this week has become the second victim to die in the attack, authorities said Friday.

Mark Hummels, 43, had been on life support at a Phoenix hospital after Wednesday morning's shooting that killed a company's chief executive and left a woman with non-life threatening injuries.

Hummels died Thursday night, a publicist for his law firm told The Associated Press early Friday.

Colleagues of Hummels described him as a smart, competent and decent man who was a rising star in his profession and dedicated to his wife, 9-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son.

The gunman — Arthur Douglas Harmon, 70 — was found dead early Thursday in the Phoenix suburb of Mesa from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.

Police said Friday that they recovered two pistols believed used in the office shooting from Harmon's rental car along with an AR-15 rifle.  Forensic research is being done to determine the owner of the weapons, police spokesman Sgt. Tommy Thompson said.

Harmon opened fire at the end of a mediation session at a north-central Phoenix office building over a lawsuit he filed last April.

Steve Singer, 48, a father of two and CEO of Scottsdale-basedFusion Contact Centers LLC, died hours after the shooting.

Harmon targeted Singer and Hummels and "it was not a random shooting," police said. A 32-year-old woman not involved in the mediation was caught in the gunfire near the building entrance and suffered a gunshot wound to her left hand.

Fusion had hired Harmon to refurbish office cubicles at two call centers in California.

Hummels worked with the Phoenix law firm Osborn Maledon and focused on business disputes, real estate litigation and malpractice defense. He died Thursday night, publicist Athia Hardt told The Associated Press early Friday.

He was a reporter for the Albuquerque Journal and Santa Fe New Mexican before he left to go to law school in 2001. He graduated first in his class at the University of Arizona's law school.  Santa Fe New Mexican editor Rob Dean said in a statement Friday that Hummels "was an accomplished journalist and an even better person. He had the intelligence to understand difficult problems and a hunger to do important work."  Hummels was admitted to the Arizona bar in 2005.

"This is a day of just unspeakable sorrow," said 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Andrew Hurwitz, who hired Hummels straight out of law school to serve as a law clerk from 2004 to 2005 while Hurwitz was serving on the Arizona Supreme Court.

According to court documents, Harmon was scheduled to go to a law office in the building where the shooting took place for a settlement conference.

Harmon represented himself in the lawsuit, and Hummels represented Fusion.

Fusion said Harmon was paid nearly $30,000 under the $47,000 contract. But the company asked him to repay much of the money when it discovered the cubicles couldn't be refurbished, according to the documents.

Harmon argued Fusion hung him out to dry by telling him to remove and store 206 "worthless" work stations after the mix-up was discovered. Harmon said Fusion then told him the company decided to use a competitor.

Harmon's lawsuit had sought payment for the remainder of the contract, $20,000 in damages and reimbursement for storage fees and legal costs.

The company countersued Harmon, protesting the sale of his home to his son for $26,000 and asking a judge to prevent Harmon from getting rid of other assets. Harmon said the company's claims that the home was fraudulently transferred to his son were unfounded.

Osborn Maledon said Friday that services for Hummels are scheduled for Tuesday at the Orpheum Theatre.  The firm said donations can be made to the Mark Hummels Memorial Fund at the Arizona Community Foundation. Arrangements will be announced for an educational fund for Mark's minor children, the law firm said.