Mark John Grisanti was born and raised in Buffalo, NY and is the youngest of six siblings. He graduated from Sweet Home High School and Canisius College, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. After finishing his undergraduate degree he went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Throughout college he was a member of the Student Bar Association, received numerous certificates and book awards, and was a member of the Entertainment Committee for the Bar Association and the Italian Law Society.

After graduating law school, Senator Grisanti worked at his father’s law firm, which his grandfather founded in 1921. As a third generation attorney, Senator Grisanti has worked at his family’s practice for over 20 years. He first became interested in running for the State Senate when practicing law on the lower west side of Buffalo. Senator Grisanti quickly distinguished himself as an attorney who stands up for those who can’t help themselves.

Senator Grisanti continues to take on tough issues such as waterfront development, job creation, education reform and the elimination of Medicaid fraud. His goal is to have unification amongst the legislative leaders from Western New York. He sees the position of New York State Senator in the 60th district as a privilege, not a right. He also believes in “putting people first, not politics.”

Senator Grisanti currently resides in North Buffalo with his wife Maria, and three children, Ashlee, John, and Theresa. They attend St. Rose Church. He is a member of the Erie County Bar Association, the Delaware Club, the Italian-American Police Association, the Assigned Counsel Program, the Volunteer Lawyers Project, the New York State Troopers Association, the Buffalo Police Benevolent Association, and the Police Athletic League. He is a longtime contributor to St. Rose of Lima Church, St. Anthony of Padua Church and the Canisius College Alumni Association. He has received certificates of appreciation from the Erie County Bar Association, the American Heart Association, BornHava and Roswell Park Cancer Institute. He has also been a notable contributor to many other organizations. He is also a member of the MS Legislative Alliance in Albany.