David advises and represents clients in a variety of commercial, civil rights, and business disputes in federal and state court and in private forums. He has served as lead counsel at trial and in numerous complex litigations and arbitrations. With a sincere, creative, and determined approach, David has earned the trust of many in the legal field — including attorneys at the largest firms in New York City — who, along with many former clients, continue to call on him to solve difficult problems on important matters.
On each case, David prepares for trial from day one. As a result, he and the firm are positioned at every stage — in a deposition, at an argument, at the negotiating table, or at trial — to obtain a superior outcome for the client. David enjoys complicated cases and efficiently identifying the key issues that will determine the outcome. He regularly goes up against some of the biggest law firms in New York City and, in other cases, works alongside them.
After graduating from New York University School of Law, David joined an international law firm before clerking for a federal judge in the Eastern District of New York. He thereafter joined an elite litigation boutique. In 2010, David founded his own law firm to provide top-notch representation to businesses and individuals seeking cost-effective, affordable counsel without compromising quality. In 2017, he partnered with his long-time colleague Todd Parker to found Parker Pohl LLP.
Each year since 2010, David has been singled out for distinction by Super Lawyers magazine — first as a Rising Star, and now as a Super Lawyer, an honor that is limited to no more than 5 percent of the attorneys in New York. David has also been sought for comment by news media for expert views, most recently in connection with the trial of Elizabeth Holmes, including in a piece for the Washington Post.
In addition to his law practice, David serves on the board of directors of The Drawing Center, a Manhattan art museum and nonprofit exhibition space founded in 1977 that focuses on the exhibition of historical and contemporary drawings. David is also an active member of the New York Inn of Court, a lawyers’ association focused on fostering community in the legal profession and continuing legal education for practicing attorneys.
During law school at New York University School of Law, David’s studies included a clinical program at the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama, an organization committed to a variety of racial and economic justice issues.
David’s Clients
David’s clients have included a multibillion-dollar Canadian real estate firm, a premier New York City financial services recruiting firm, a South Korean technology manufacturer, several major banking institutions, a famous art museum, major NYC private equity firms, a leading M&A shareholder representative, New York’s largest non-hospital provider of healthcare, a Hong Kong textile manufacturer, a Puerto Rican title insurer, a well-known R&B singer-songwriter, a Times Square hotel, a Mississippi machinery manufacturer, an elite New York City dance studio, a global home furnishing and design brand, a Los Angeles clothing retailer, a leading New York City art studio and master printer, a famous New York City housewares chain, a New York City restaurateur, a major online dating site, a well-known author and investigative journalist, a revered Persian artist, a nonprofit community advocacy group in Chinatown, as well as numerous other small businesses and individuals.
Select Cases
Won a complete victory in a Labor Law arbitration against a large lender and its international law firm: David commenced suit on behalf the Firm’s client, a former employee of the respondent lender, seeking substantial unpaid compensation. After a week-long arbitration involving multiple cross-examinations and witnesses, and after extensive post-hearing argument and briefing, David recovered 100% of the damages sought, plus 100% of client’s attorney’s fees. The judgment followed two years of litigation over the client’s claims of breach of contract and violation of New York Labor Law.
Prevailed in a jury trial, obtaining dismissal of all claims, on behalf of a nonprofit healthcare provider: The plaintiff, a former employee of the firm’s client, sued for alleged breach of the Family and Medical Leave Act, alleging our client had interfered with her rights and terminated her in retaliation for her exercise of them. After days of testimony and lengthy cross-examination, the jury accepted David’s arguments that the plaintiff was properly terminated and delivered a complete victory to the Firm’s client.
Won summary judgment on behalf of clients Eastern Bank and TD Bank: Alleging that David’s clients had wrongfully reversed an electronic funds transfer, the plaintiff sued them for alleged violation of the UCC as well as for conversion, breach of contract, and other common law claims. Supreme Court accepted David’s argument that the reversal was proper under New York’s “discharge for value” rule and delivered a complete victory to David’s clients. David then successfully defended the judgment on appeal before the Appellate Division, obtain an affirmance.
Won a complete vindication on behalf of a media executive wrongfully accused of misconduct: Major news outlets publicly accused our client of engaging in unfair treatment of others in the workplace. Thereafter, his employer terminated his employment. Confident the accusations were entirely false, David formulated a strategy and, after months of maneuvering, obtained a complete vindication on behalf of his client and an express acknowledgment that the termination was “without cause.”
Secured countless private settlements and resolutions on behalf of major corporations, small businesses, and individuals: Of course, a major part of David’s practice involves helping clients avoid the often-unnecessary costs and burdens of litigation altogether. To that end, David has negotiated countless out-of-court settlements and resolutions in a diverse range of disputes and matters.