Advisory Spotlight: Meet Mark Brault, Compliance Advisor & Benefits Attorney

ANDREA TARRELL
Director of Marketing at HNI

Our team members are committed to changing the game for our clients, our company, and our community. Some of them you may “know” from their blogs and social media activity, even if you haven’t had the opportunity to meet them in person yet.

To virtually introduce more of these experts, our monthly Advisory Spotlight will feature a Q&A with some of the great people on our team.

This month, we interviewed Mark Brault, Compliance Advisor and Benefits Attorney at HNI. Read on to learn more about the work he does with our clients and what makes him tick.

About Mark's Role at HNI

As a Compliance Advisor/Benefits Attorney, I assist clients with wide ranging legal topics including general compliance, ERISA/benefits matters, and employment law matters and disputes.

Hometown

My hometown is Green Bay, Wisconsin. Bonus trivia fact: I was born in Fort Belvoir, an army hospital based in Virginia.

Education

I received a BBA in Finance and Marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison along with a JD from Marquette University Law School.

What Attracted You to this Opportunity / Field

After 21 years of working in private practice at a law firm, I was looking for a new, refreshing and challenging opportunity. Once I saw this job posting by HNI, I was determined to pursue this position given I practice law in the primary areas listed in the job posting.

Favorite Wicked Problems to Crush

Employment related disputes are always fun, yet challenging, because no two situations are the same.

Career Advice

Think long and hard about what degree you decide to pursue. For me, I put in a lot of effort to receive a law degree, only to find myself in a sea of lawyers.

First Job

I was a manager for Macy’s New York in trendy Newark, New Jersey.

Family

My wife and I have been married for 24 years now. We have two boys: one a sophomore at UW-Madison who is studying Biology, and the other, a senior at Whitnall who plays four varsity sports and badly needs a haircut. There is also Montee, our 3 year old yellow lab, who refuses to grow up.

Most Meaningful Accomplishment [Personal or Professional]

Professional: It would have to be the client relationships I’ve developed over two decades that have also evolved into personal friendships. Personal: Seeing the development and success both on and off the court of all the boys I have coached over the past two decades.

Last Book Read

I read so much for work and education that I can’t even remember a book title – I’m just happy to get through a newspaper [hello, sports page!] every morning.

Favorite Film(s)

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly; The Bourne Trilogy; Hoosiers.

What You Most Like Doing in Your Free Time

Coaching the varsity boys this summer and fall will end 15 years of coaching. With all the free time I will have from no longer focusing on that, I will soon be running the largest youth basketball league in the state on Sundays this winter and spring. Aside from that I enjoy tailgating at Badger and Packer games, visiting the Union Terrace on a nice day, golfing, going to the gym, and watching my youngest son finish out his high school athletic career [while trying not to scream at the refs or umps.]

Want to learn more about HNI's capabilities in Advisory? Contact your Relationship Manager, comment below, or stay tuned for our next Advisory Spotlight!

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