David is a seasoned trial lawyer with extensive experience in product liability, warranty litigation, lemon laws, toxic tort, environmental litigation, complex business transactions and high-exposure personal injury lawsuits.
David pioneered the use of litigation strategy seminars for his automobile manufacturer clients, and he has lectured across the country about his proactive approach to defending warranty and lemon law claims. One of his clients adopted David’s litigation training program and rolled it out nationally to all the company’s service personnel.
Outside the office, David enjoys soccer, cycling and competes in triathlons. As an undergraduate at Amherst College, he was captain of a nationally ranked soccer team; he has coached a premier-level travel soccer team since 2007 and has served on the board of directors of the Philadelphia Area Girls Soccer League since 2010.
Representative Matters
Environmental and Toxic Tort Litigation
Defended Monsanto against allegations that a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) product caused plaintiffs’ cancer. The jury returned a defense verdict for Monsanto. Dublin v. Monsanto (Mo. Cir. Ct., St. Louis Cty., 2016).
Defended Monsanto against allegations that a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) product caused plaintiffs’ cancer. The jury returned a defense verdict for Monsanto. Smith v. Monsanto (Cal. Super. Ct., Los Angeles Cty., 2014).
Business Litigation
Represented plaintiff Leonetti’s Frozen Foods, Inc., in an action against Maglio Fresh Food alleging unfair competition in the distribution and sale of frozen stromboli. After a two-week jury trial, a 12-person jury found in Leonetti’s favor, awarding $2 million in compensatory damages and $555,000 in punitive damages. Leonetti’s Frozen Foods v. Maglio Fresh Food d/b/a Maglio’s Sausage Co. (Pa. Ct. Common Pleas, Philadelphia Cty., 2012).
Automotive
Defended automaker Hyundai against product liability and lemon law claims involving allegations of a powertrain defect. Following a week-long trial, the jury returned a full defense verdict for Hyundai and the court ordered the plaintiff to reimburse a portion of the client’s trial costs. Paich v. Hyundai Motor America (Pa. Ct. Common Pleas, Allegheny Cty., 2016).
In a product liability case that had potentially broad implications for the auto industry, obtained a motion for summary judgment against a novel statutory claim that would have created a new class of lawsuits against automotive manufacturers. Edwards v. Hyundai Motor America (Pa. Ct. Common Pleas, Philadelphia Cty., 2015).
Obtained a defense verdict in favor of Subaru in a bench trial involving product liability and lemon law claims. Wert v. Subaru of America (Pa. Ct. Common Pleas, Philadelphia Cty., 2013).
Obtained a jury defense verdict in favor of Hyundai in a product liability and lemon law case. Matson v. Hyundai Motor America (N.J. Super. Ct., Burlington Cty., 2012).
Obtained a jury defense verdict in favor of Subaru in a product liability and lemon law case. Ricciardi v. Subaru of America (N.J. Super. Ct., Camden Cty., 2012).
Obtained a bench verdict in favor of Hyundai in a product liability and lemon law case. Hidock v. Hyundai Motor America (N.J. Super. Ct., Luzerne Cty., 2011).