**Judge Mark S. Davis** was appointed to the Eastern District of Virginia by President George W. Bush in 2008. He served as Chief Judge from December 4, 2018, to December 3, 2025. Born in Portsmouth, Virginia, Judge Davis clerked for Judge John Ashton MacKenzie of this court after law school, then spent nearly a decade at McGuireWoods and later at Carr-Porter LLC, where he developed expertise in maritime law. From 2003 to 2008 he served as a judge on the Portsmouth Circuit Court (Third Judicial Circuit of Virginia). He was nominated by President Bush on November 15, 2007, confirmed 94-0 on June 10, 2008, and received his commission on June 23, 2008. **Education** - Washington and Lee University School of Law, J.D., 1988 - University of Virginia, B.A., 1984 **Career** - U.S. District Judge (Chief Judge 2018–2025), Eastern District of Virginia, 2008–present - Judge, Portsmouth Circuit Court, Third Judicial Circuit of Virginia, 2003–2008 - Partner, Carr-Porter LLC (Virginia), 1998–2003 - Associate/Partner, McGuireWoods (Virginia), 1989–1998 - Law clerk, Hon. John Ashton MacKenzie, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, 1988–1989
**Division:** Norfolk **Courthouse:** Walter E. Hoffman United States Courthouse, 600 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23510 **Phone:** (757) 222-7014
Judge Mark S. Davis' formatting rule includes letter paper, unfolded paper required, two paper copies required, and must include certificate of service. Pro se parties without CM/ECF must file two paper copies (unfolded 8½x11) of the motion, HSD, and certificate of service, with FRCP 11 certification.
The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. The motion for HSD designation must include a certification under FRCP 11 of good faith belief that the material qualifies as highly sensitive.
The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. If the HSD exceeds 50 pages, it must also be provided to the Court on a secure electronic device.
Parties may contact Judge Mark S. Davis' clerk by phone only as allowed by the rule. The rule lists phone Alexandria: (703) 299-2100, Newport News: (757) 247-0784, Norfolk: (757) 222-7202, Richmond: (804) 916-2220. Questions about HSD filing procedures should be directed to the relevant division by phone.
A motion to seal is required for covered sealed filings before Judge Mark S. Davis. A motion for leave to file a Highly Sensitive Document (HSD) is required before filing.
No. Electronic filing is prohibited for the covered filings. The HSD itself must not be filed electronically; a blank placeholder is attached to the motion on CM/ECF to reserve the docket number.
The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. Final CJA voucher must be submitted within 45 days of conclusion of representation.
Proof of service is not required by this specific service rule. HSD must be served on other parties: in civil cases by any method under Civil Rule 5(b)(2) except e-filing; in criminal cases by methods under Criminal Rule 49(a)(3)(B) or (a)(4).
Initial CJA voucher may be submitted no sooner than four months after appointment.
Subsequent interim CJA vouchers may be submitted when amount exceeds $4,000 or four months after previous voucher.
Final CJA voucher must be submitted within 45 days of conclusion of representation.
If the HSD exceeds 50 pages, it must also be provided to the Court on a secure electronic device.
A motion for leave to file a Highly Sensitive Document (HSD) is required before filing.
The motion for HSD designation must include a certification under FRCP 11 of good faith belief that the material qualifies as highly sensitive.
The HSD itself must not be filed electronically; a blank placeholder is attached to the motion on CM/ECF to reserve the docket number.
After filing the motion, the HSD and certificate of service must be delivered to the Clerk's office as soon as practicable.
Two paper copies (unfolded 8½x11) of specified documents must be submitted in a sealed envelope marked 'HIGHLY SENSITIVE DOCUMENT' with redacted caption page and placeholder number affixed.
Paper copies must be on unfolded 8½x11 paper.
HSD must be served on other parties: in civil cases by any method under Civil Rule 5(b)(2) except e-filing; in criminal cases by methods under Criminal Rule 49(a)(3)(B) or (a)(4).
Pro se parties without CM/ECF must file two paper copies (unfolded 8½x11) of the motion, HSD, and certificate of service, with FRCP 11 certification.
Pro se parties must include FRCP 11 certification with their HSD motion and documents.
For Pro Se parties, the proposed HSD shall not be filed electronically; the motion to seal proceeds under existing procedures.
Pro Se parties must include an explanation in their motion to seal about why the document qualifies as an HSD.
The Clerk's office serves paper copies of orders on Pro Se HSD motions by mail and records service in an informational docket entry.
The Court may order removal of an HSD or highly sensitive case from the electronic filing system upon motion of a party or sua sponte.
A motion to remove HSD materials from the electronic filing system must explain why the document is highly sensitive.
Questions about HSD filing procedures should be directed to the relevant division by phone.