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BACKGROUND: David was born in Dallas, Texas in 1962 to a Senior Executive of the Federated Department Stores dynasty. The family was transferred to San Francisco, California where David graduated eleventh in his class from Menlo Preparatory School, earning the Eagle Scout Award at the age of 13 and serving as captain of the high school varsity football team. After graduating from Northwestern University with a degree in Political Science and a minor in History and Literature of Religions, David entered a financial systems program at Continental Bank in Chicago, Illinois where he received concentrated training in the fields of Audit Compliance, Cost Accounting, Financial Analysis and Banking. After participating in the work out and recovery of Continental Bank, following the Penn Square Bank funding crisis, David entered law school at Case Western Reserve University in 1989. While in law school, he earned the Dean?s Distinguished Advocate Award and represented the school at the regional finals of the National Moot Court Competition. David practices in the areas of commercial litigation, banking, administrative and regulatory law, construction and transportation law. He is an ?AV? rated lawyer by Martindale Hubbell. David served as Assistant State Attorney with the State of Florida, Hillsborough County from 1990 to 1993. As Assistant State Attorney, David held the positions of Misdemeanor Division Chief, Felony Prosecutor and Special Prosecutor reporting to the Organized Crime Task Force in Tampa, Florida. He prosecuted hundreds of cases including white collar fraud matters, as well as murder cases. David has tried more than one hundred jury trials and handled numerous non-jury trials, mediations and arbitrations throughout the State of Florida on behalf of large financial institutions, governmental entities, medium to small businesses and individuals. In addition, David has represented land developers and construction firms throughout Florida with respect to their legal needs. Prior to joining GrayRobinson as a shareholder, David was a named partner in the Tampa firm of Cohn, Cohn & Hendrix, P.A. David has been the lead attorney in a number of significant cases including: Sullo v. NationsBank, N.A., 755 S.2d 822, 5th Fla. App. District, 2000 (Brooksville, Florida) - obtained a defense verdict at trial and prevailed on appeal with a written opinion resulting in a change in the law favorable to lending institutions. Woods v. Bank of America Insurance Corp., 3rd Judicial District of Florida, 2002 (New Port Richey, Florida) - obtained a jury trial defensive verdict for Bank of America Insurance Corp. on claims of fraud and bad faith. Mills v. NationsBank, N.A., 3rd Judicial District of Florida, 1999 (Lake City, Florida) - successful defense of a $42 million claim resulting only in nominal damages. On appeal this case was the first case in the State of Florida to invoke Federal law on a State level which does not require National Association Banks to file appellate bonds. Island Renovations v. NationsBank, N.A., 12th Judicial District of Florida, 1999 (Sarasota, Florida) - successful defense of a $1 million claim resulting in an award of attorney's fee judgment in favor of NationsBank, N.A., which were collected. Wolf v. SunTrust Bank, 6th Judicial District of Florida, 2003 (Dade City, Florida) - obtained an un-appealed summary judgment with a written opinion in favor of SunTrust Bank upholding contractual provisions which modify statutory provisions. Wagner v. Equicredit Corp. of America, 12th Judicial District of Florida, 2004 (Sarasota, Florida) - obtained a court order dismissing with prejudice upon Motion to Dismiss a multi-million dollar class action claim Schmidt v. Multimedia and Brief v. Cape Publications, Federal Middle District of Florida, 2004 (Tampa, Florida) - successful defense of $3 billion class action claim resulting in a dismissal with prejudice. Sterling Asset & Equity Corp., et al v. BB&T Leasing Corp., et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, 2004 (Miami, Florida) - successful defense of class action claim resulting in a dismissal prior to class certification. Sullo v. CincoStar, Inc and Nations Bank, N.A., 755 So.2d 822 (Fla. 5 DCA, 2000), Cert Denied, 776 So.2d 277 (Fla., 2000) EDUCATION: Northwestern University, B.A (Political Science 1984) Sigma Nu Fraternity Case Western Reserve University College of Law, J.D. (1989) Dean's Distinguished Advocate Award Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity National Moot Court Team Moot Court Board PROFESSIONAL: The Florida Bar Hillsborough County Bar Association (HCBA) United States District Court Middle District of Florida Selected as top attorney by Super Lawyers 2006 AV rated by Martindale Hubbell ADMITTED TO PRACTICE: State of Florida (1989) State of Washington (1994) (Inactive) Middle District of Florida U.S. District Court (1989) 11th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals (1989) PUBLICATIONS AND SEMINARS: Co-Author of Consumer Lending Regulatory Compliance, National Business Institute, 2002. Co-Author of Protecting the Legal Rights of Florida Citizens in Consumer Transactions, National Business Institute, 2002. Co-Author of Challenges in Florida Commercial Lending Practices, National Business Institute, 2003 Frequent speaker and lecturer for National Business Institute on topics of Banking Litigation, Consumer Collections Practice Act and Slander of Credit Litigation. CIVIC: Leadership Florida - Class XXV Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce - Executive Committee and Board of Directors (2005 - current) General Counsel (2005) Chair, Small Business Enterprise (2006) Chair, Benchmark Trip (2005) Boy Scouts of America, Gulf Ridge Counsel (Executive Board, 1995-current) (Vice President of Endowment and Investment Committee (2004-current) Crime Stoppers of Pinellas County Board of Directors (2003-2005) Kiwanis Club of Florida (Board of Directors, 1997-2000).
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