David is the former chair of Reed Smith's Insurance Recovery Group, with more than 80 exclusively policyholder-focused attorneys in offices throughout the United States, as well as around the world, including Europe and Singapore. He also represents clients in a variety of industries, including aviation, manufacturing, oil and gas, financial services, real estate development, electronics, telecommunications, and construction.
Experience
Representative matters
Representative matters
Lead counsel for aircraft leasing companies whose aircraft were confiscated following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The claims arose under war risk and all risk aviation insurance policies that had almost never previously been litigated. Almost $ 1.5 billion of aircraft were at issue. Dozens of insurers were involved the litigation and resulted in an incredibly favorable series of rulings for the policyholders. The cases settled following these rulings.
Lead counsel for Samsung Austin Semiconductor in its litigation arising out of damage at its chip fabricating plant located in Austin, Texas following a devastating freeze that gave rise to substantial claims for property damage and business interruption losses. The case settled following discovery and the filing of a motion for summary judgment.
Lead counsel for DaVita concerning claims for coverage arising out of antitrust claims filed against DaVita and others. The claims were filed in connection with purported anti – poaching policies that plaintiffs claim gave rise to hundreds of millions in damages.
Lead counsel for aircraft leasing companies whose aircraft were confiscated following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The claims arose under war risk and all risk aviation insurance policies that had almost never previously been litigated. Almost $ 1.5 billion of aircraft were at issue. Dozens of insurers were involved the litigation and resulted in an incredibly favorable series of rulings for the policyholders. The cases settled following these rulings.
Lead counsel for Samsung Austin Semiconductor in its litigation arising out of damage at its chip fabricating plant located in Austin, Texas following a devastating freeze that gave rise to substantial claims for property damage and business interruption losses. The case settled following discovery and the filing of a motion for summary judgment.
Lead counsel for DaVita concerning claims for coverage arising out of antitrust claims filed against DaVita and others. The claims were filed in connection with purported anti – poaching policies that plaintiffs claim gave rise to hundreds of millions in damages.
Represented MGM in connection with various unrelated coverage claims involving claims of substantial personal injury, including, but not limited to the claims arising out of the tragic loss of life in connection with the One October mass shooting.
Advocated for a variety of companies in relation to insurance coverage for the COVID-19 pandemic, including seeking coverage under property insurance, business interruption, contingent business interruption, civil authority, pollution insurance, event cancellation, workers' compensation and general liability insurance coverages.
Represented an Oklahoma-based natural gas company in connection with securing coverage for property damage and business interruption arising out of an explosion and subsequent fire at its LNG plant in Medford, OK. Damages are expected to be approximately $2 billion.
Represented a New York-based hotel development company in a $1 billion plus high-stakes COVID-19 insurance dispute pending in Texas state court, involving various novel issues including ones relating to Texas’s interpretation of “all risk” policies and the interplay of coverages for “communicable disease” and “decontamination costs” with a purported exclusion for “contamination.” The rulings in this case will help shape the law going forward, especially in Texas, for COVID-19 business interruption claims.
Successfully represented a major hotel in Las Vegas in an insurance coverage dispute with Lexington London, relating to coverage for loss of hotel bookings and business closure due to hazardous conditions and spread of infectious disease amidst the pandemic.
Represented a leading multinational banking and financial institution against their mortgage insurers in lawsuits and arbitrations around the country in connection with coverage for defaulted first and second lien mortgages.
Represented a leading multinational banking and financial institution in AIG’s RMBS litigation in which AIG was seeking $10 billion under various theories including securities and common law fraud.
Represented CalPortland in connection with coverage for thousands of underlying hexchrome cases.
Represented Western Mac Arthur Company in connection with thousands of claims of asbestos – related bodily injury going back to the 1930’s. Over claims that the policies were missing and could not be reconstructed, collected over $2.2 billion dollars in one of the largest cases of its kind after a six month jury trial.
Represented a major telecommunications company in connection with coverage under directors and officers liability policies for claims arising from the failure of an early stage internet company. Representation led to two favorable decisions from the Delaware Supreme Court overturning decisions of the trial court on related claims and voluntary payments.
Represented a major telecommunications company in connection with coverage under fiduciary liability policies for claims arising out of changes to employee pension plans.
Advised major internet marketing company with respect to negotiations over cyber liability coverage.
Recognitions
- Named, Leader of Influence: Top Litigators & Trial Lawyers by the Los Angeles Business Journal, 2020
- Ranked in Chambers USA for Nationwide Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Policyholder and California Insurance: Policyholder, 2004-2011 and 2013-2025
- Listed, Who’s Who Legal: Insurance and Reinsurance, 2009 and 2018
Credentials
Education
Education
- The George Washington University Law School, 1983, J.D.
- Binghamton University, State University of New York, 1980, B.A.
Professional admissions & qualifications
Professional admissions & qualifications
- California
- District of Columbia
Professional affiliations
Professional affiliations
- Fellow, American College of Coverage Counsel
- State Bar of California
- American Bar Association, Litigation Section
- Committee on Insurance Coverage, Former Co-Chair of Sub-Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Former Member, Committee on Administration of Justice, appointed 1992
News
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