Wernick is a self-employed attorney in Minneapolis, a position he held from 1977 to 1985 and again since 1987.  He was an attorney and partner with the Minneapolis law firm of Mauzy and Wernick from 1985 to 1987 and an attorney in the Hennepin County Public Defender's office in Minneapolis from 1975 to 1977.  Wernick earned his juris doctorate degree from Drake University Law School in Des Moines, Iowa in 1975 and his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Minnesota in 1972.

 "This appointment may be my last to the Hennepin County bench," Governor Ventura said.  "I am appointing Mark to this position because he, like my other appointments to this bench, has a wealth of experience in the practice of law, is a hard worker and has a good judicial demeanor.  He also has the respect of the legal community."

Wernick is past president of Legal Rights Center, Inc., and the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.  He chaired the Criminal Law Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association and co-chaired the Criminal Law Section of the Hennepin County Bar Association.    Wernick also serves on the Sabathani Community Center Board of Directors and the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission Drug Policy Subcommittee.  Wernick has been named a "Superlawyer" by Minnesota Law & Politics every year since its inception, and for the past two years has been named among the top 100 in the state. He has been certified as a criminal trial specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy since 1985.