Mason D. Bracken
Associate
Mason focuses his practice on complex litigation. In cases before federal and state courts and administrative agencies, he represents clients in various fields, including municipalities, school districts, businesses, nonprofits, and individuals. He has significant experience in multiple areas of law including employment law, civil rights, and constitutional law as well as construction, contract, and real estate disputes.
He served as a law clerk for the Honorable Richard L. Nygaard on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and the Honorable Richard A. Lanzillo on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. He graduated with honors from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. There, he gained experience at the WashU Prosecution Law Clinic in the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office and as an intern with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the U.S. Department of Justice, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, and the Missouri State Public Defender. He is licensed in both Pennsylvania and Missouri.
Practice Areas
- Washington University School of Law, J.D., cum laude; Dean's List Three Semesters; Certificate in Public Interest Law; Anonymous Scholar in Law Award; Journal of Law and Policy Executive Notes Editor and Staff Editor; Public Service Advisory Board Co-Chair for Pro Bono Committee and Careers Committee
- Truman State University, B.A. in both History and Political Science; magna cum laude; Phi Beta Kappa; Full Tuition, Room & Board Merit-Based Scholarship; Departmental Honors in History and Political Science; Mock Trial Vice President and Team Captain, and won team and individual awards; KTRM 88.7 FM On-Air DJ and Production Director; Teaching Assistant
- Lorenzo De'Medici - The Italian International Institute, Study Abroad Program
- Pennsylvania
- Missouri
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania
- Successfully defended a city’s new, comprehensive landlord-tenant ordinance from attack on constitutional and statutory grounds by a landlords’ association. The ordinance created the city’s first comprehensive rental registration and licensing program. Worked as part of the team that obtained an order denying a preliminary injunction against enforcement of the ordinance—thus allowing implementation to proceed. Conducted oral argument at a state court hearing. Obtained dismissal of most claims. Favorably settling remaining claims by preserving the new rental registration and licensing program in exchange for revision of only one minor subsection of the ordinance
- Advises school district clients on compliance with employment laws, Title IX, and employees’ First Amendment rights
- Appointed by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania to represent an incarcerated individual in his case against a corrections officer for excessive force with trial set for next year
- Served as Law Clerk for the Honorable Richard L. Nygaard, Senior U.S. Circuit Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- Served as Law Clerk for the Honorable Richard A. Lanzillo, U.S. Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
- Served as part-time law clerk at a small firm during law school, supporting plaintiff's employment litigation
- Second chaired three felony trials (including two murder trials) and prosecuted multiple preliminary hearings in the WashU Prosecution Law Clinic through the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office
- Served as intern for U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Office of Commissioner Victoria A. Lipnic
- Served as intern for the U.S. Department of Justice Organized Crime and Gang Section
- Served as intern for the Legal Services of Eastern Missouri's Housing Law Program
- Served as intern for the Missouri State Public Defender
- Award for Excellence in Oral Advocacy in the First-Year Legal Practice Oral Arguments, Washington University School of Law
- Dean's Public Service Award, for over 100 hours of pro bono legal and non-legal service, Washington University School of Law
Community and Professional Service
- NWPA Pride Alliance, Board Member (2024-present)
- Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America
Professional Affiliations
- Erie County Bar Association