David Swaney

Dave primarily defends companies against individual and complex tort, product liability and consumer protection matters, including those involving household consumer products and exposure to allegedly toxic products. Leaning on his technical background as a former communications officer in the U.S. Air Force, Dave also assists clients in the data security and privacy sphere to proactively minimize the risk of a breach and to comply with state, federal and international privacy laws. Dave has significant experience in all stages of litigation, from the demand letter through the appeal. He has gone to trial on behalf of his clients in more than a dozen cases. Dave has significant experience (i) conducting discovery to develop factual defenses, including deposing plaintiffs and key witnesses; (ii) briefing complex legal issues in trial courts; and (iii) identifying and developing expert witnesses on a variety of scientific topics.

Before law school, Dave earned his Bachelor of Science from the United States Air Force Academy. During his five-year stint in the U.S. Air Force, he was stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts. At Ramstein Air Base, Dave led 52 personnel charged with operating and maintaining Defense Information Infrastructure assets in support of the Global War on Terrorism, and advised the Wing Commander and senior officer staff on the development and maintenance of combat plans for the Wing’s role in NATO and U.S. crisis response. At Hanscom Air Force Base, Dave led an inter-agency working group (Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, and Lockheed Martin) focused on information security in joint operation infrastructure during the acquisition and testing phase of cutting edge technology.   

Dave also regularly provides pro bono representation. He recently tried a § 1983 case on behalf of the plaintiff, alleging that the mid-Missouri police department had violated his client’s civil rights. He has also represented numerous juvenile clients in criminal matters before the Jackson County Family Court, as well as Kansas City-area neighborhood associations seeking to clean up blighted properties within their neighborhood. He has volunteered as an Air Liaison Officer for the United States Air Force Academy, assisting and evaluating students interested in attending USAFA.