Obituary of Mark Alan Jacobson

Mark Alan Jacobson, a devoted husband, father, and accomplished attorney, died of cancer on April 27, 2023, at the age of 62. Born on April 7, 1961, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Mark is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Jill Conda; their two daughters, Katie Jacobson and Megan Jacobson; his mother, Gloria; stepmother, Elaine; mother-in-law, Margaret Conda; brother, Keith (Karen); brother, Brian (Teresa); sister, Karen (Joe); brother-in-law, John Conda Jr.; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Roy Jacobson, and father-in-law, John Conda Sr.  

Throughout his life, Mark was committed to excellence. He earned scholarships to both Groton School and the University of North Carolina, where he was an active member of the Clef Hangers acapella group and the Chi Psi fraternity. His time at UNC inspired a lifelong love of Tar Heel basketball and what he called "good Southern cooking."  

Mark received his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School and met Jill during his third year. He was a law clerk for a federal judge in California, a lawyer at Arnold & Porter in Washington, D.C., chair of the Litigation Department at Lindquist & Vennum LLP in Minneapolis, and proudly ended his career at the law firm Cozen O'Connor. He loved being a litigator and was consistently named to the Best Lawyers and Chambers lists for his expertise in antitrust law.  

Mark was a teacher at heart and loved to share his knowledge with others. He found great joy in coaching his daughters' childhood tee-ball and softball teams, fostering their love for his favorite sport. He was an exceptional mentor to young lawyers and deeply valued the diverse perspectives his mentees brought to his practice of law. Perhaps Mark's favorite thing to teach was fishing: he loved to share the quintessentially Minnesotan pastime of ice fishing, helping new anglers overcome their understandable fear of driving on a frozen lake.  

Mark cared deeply about the people around him and made a concerted effort to recognize the unique importance and humanity of everyone he met. He took a genuine interest in the lives of those he knew, cherishing moments of togetherness on work retreats, drives to the cabin, fishing trips, and in everyday encounters.  

Throughout his life, Mark maintained a deep dedication to service. He was often recognized for his pro bono work advocating for asylum seekers and took pride in his role as a board member at the Center for Victims of Torture, an organization committed to healing survivors of torture and advocating for human rights worldwide. Mark's unwavering optimism inspired his conviction that the world could become a more just and compassionate place.  

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 6 at Peace Lutheran Church (8600 E Bush Lake Rd, Bloomington, MN 55438) at 2:00 PM CDT, with a visitation starting at 1:00 PM. For those unable to attend, a livestream can be found at newwebsite.peacebloomington.org under the "Watch Livestream" button. The service will be followed by a Celebration of Life beginning at 3:30 PM at the HopSpot room at Fat Pants Brewing in Eden Prairie. All are welcome to attend either or both events in your preferred attire to honor Mark's legacy. A private interment will be held at a later date.  

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider contributing to the Center for Victims of Torture or enjoy a day out fishing.