Mark J. Sokolich is the Mayor of Fort Lee, New Jersey, serving since January 7, 2008. He is currently in his 18th year as the borough's chief executive, making him its longest-serving mayor. Born in 1963, Sokolich is a lifelong resident of Fort Lee of Croatian descent. His father died when he was 12 years old, and his mother died the following year. He graduated from Fort Lee High School in 1981, where he played basketball and baseball, earning All-State honors in basketball and All-County in baseball. He enrolled at Rutgers University and walked on to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights men's basketball team. Sokolich graduated from Rutgers with honors in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science, and earned his Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1989, where he attended  simultaneously with future Governor Chris Christie.

Sokolich was admitted to the New Jersey Bar in 1989, the District of Columbia Bar in 1997, the Federal District Court of New Jersey in 1989, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in 1995. He served four terms on the Fort Lee Borough Council prior to his mayoralty, acting as liaison to the Fire Department, Police Department, Department of Public Works, and Beautification and Historic Committees. As Mayor, he has overseen more than $1.5 billion in development and infrastructure projects, including new parks, a film center, community gardens, dog parks, sewer and water system upgrades, a new city center, two of Bergen County's tallest buildings, athletic fields, emergency services facilities, and a municipal parking garage. He is the managing partner of Sokolich & Macri, the law firm he founded.

Political Career

• Mayor, Fort Lee Borough (2008–present; 18th year as of 2026)
• Fort Lee Borough Council (four terms prior to 2008)
• Council liaison to Fire Department, Police Department, Department of Public Works, Beautification and Historic Committees
• Managing Partner, Sokolich & Macri Law Firm (present)
• Member, Fort Lee Unico
• Member, Greater Fort Lee Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Member, Fort Lee Business District Alliance
• Member, Fort Lee Democratic Club
• Advisory Board, Fort Lee High School Academy of Finance Program

Key Policy Areas

• Economic development and downtown revitalization
• Infrastructure modernization and utility systems
• Public education and school district support
• Emergency services and public safety
• Historic preservation and beautification
• Youth athletics and recreational facilities

Notable Actions / Initiatives

• Oversaw more than $1.5 billion in municipal renaissance including new parks, film center, community gardens, dog parks, complete sewer and water system replacement, new city center, two tallest buildings in Bergen County, and "Be Fort Lee" branding campaign 
• Improved borough communications through videography, social media, and mobile app development 
• Instrumental in rehabilitation and construction of new playing fields for Fort Lee youth sports programs; served as coach and administrator in Little League, Soccer League, and Flag Football League 
• Participated in Rutgers Scarlet Knights men's basketball (Division I) from 1981 to 1984, including NCAA and NIT tournaments, as a walk-on after scholarships were withdrawn due to senior-year ankle injury 

Education

• J.D., Seton Hall University School of Law (1989) 
• B.A., Economics and Political Science (honors), Rutgers University (1985) 
• Diploma, Fort Lee High School (1981) 

Personal

• Birth date: 1963 
• Residence: Fort Lee, Bergen County, New Jersey