Mark Astor

I was born and raised in the United Kingdom until the age of twenty-one, and have been an attorney since 1994. Before entering private practice, I began my legal career as a Palm Beach County Assistant State Attorney, a position I held until 1999. During my career as a Government lawyer, I served as Chief of two different County Court Divisions and, thereafter, was promoted to a felony trial division. I have handled thousands of cases ranging from first-degree misdemeanors to Capital Murder.

I received my Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Michigan in 1990, my Juris Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University College of Law in 1994, and my Master of Laws Degree (L.L.M.) from American University, Washington College of Law in 2005.

In February 2016, I formed Drug and Alcohol Attorneys (http://drugandalcoholattorneys.com) a concierge service dedicated to help families and individuals suffering from substance use and mental health disorders. Together with my experienced team, and using the tools and resources only available to an experienced practitioner, I has been witness to many individuals experiencing the miracle of recovery.

In 2020, not long after the Covid-19 pandemic began, I noticed a disturbing trend of individuals who were relapsing, suffering from anxiety and depression, and calling for help. Shortly thereafter I formed Baker Act Attorneys (https://bakeractattorneys.com). Many of these individuals found themselves being involuntary committed by the State and held against their will, under the Baker Act (Chapter 394). Now in the care, custody and control of the State, these individuals were being abused, mistreated, forced to take medications, and unable to secure their release.

I discovered that many hospitals and Baker Act facilities only cared about making money, not helping people. Prior to forming Baker Act attorneys, facilities were free to violate rights and the Baker Act statute itself, because no one was watching. That changed in 2020, and since then I have successfully litigated against many hospitals and facilities.

When I'm not working in his law practice, I enjoy empowering the members of the community by teaching Krav Maga (the Israeli system of hand to hand taught to the military, special forces, and anti-terror units). I also enjoy an early morning work-out believing that a healthy body leads to a healthy mind.

My Story