Overview
David handles litigation and trials in federal and state courts and arbitrations around the country for clients across a broad range of industries and economic sectors. David has a deep focus on employee benefits and ERISA litigation, and is Co-Chair of Constangy’s ERISA Litigation Practice Group. He has wide ranging experience in the field, having represented publicly traded and private employer clients, owners, boards of directors, and plan fiduciaries and trustees across the country in cases involving 401(k) plans, pension plans, ESOPS, health and welfare plans, Taft-Hartley multi-employer pension and welfare benefit plan claims, “Top-Hat” Plans and other forms of executive compensation, deferred compensation, and severance arrangements.
David brings these collective experiences and a unique perspective to his other specialty, class action litigation, and has defended class actions involving ERISA, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, deceptive trade practices, publicly traded and private securities, and claims under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. David also defends class and collective action claims under the FLSA and California state wage and hour laws and has represented several employers guarding against trade secret misappropriation and non-competition issues, including protecting against raiding and other unfair competition claims, also in courts around the country.
Honors & Recognitions
- Best Lawyers in America® (2019), ERISA Litigation
Professional & Civic Associations
- American Employment Law Council, Member
Press Room
About Me
Outside of the office, David enjoys spending time outdoors and elsewhere with his wife, Stephanie, their three children, Sydney, Leo, and Elliot, and the family’s two Jack Russell terriers, Huxley and Olive.
Representative Published Decisions
Representative Published Decisions
- Obtained summary judgment for members of employee stock ownership plan’s administrative committee in multi-million dollar claim for benefits, affirmed on appeal in Wengert v. Rajendran, 886 F.3d 725 (8th Cir. 2018)
- Obtained summary judgment for large equipment manufacturer and dealer on claims of age discrimination and wrongful termination, affirmed by the Nebraska Supreme Court in Oldfield v. Nebraska Mach. Co., 296 Neb. 469, 894 N.W.2d 278 (2017)
- Defeated challenge from losing bidders on behalf of successful bidder for Nebraska’s comprehensive Medicaid managed-care program for physical health, behavioral health, and pharmacy services in Coventry Health Care of Nebraska, Inc. v. Nebraska Dep’t of Admin. Servs., No. 4:16CV3094, 2016 WL 4435197 (D. Neb. Aug. 19, 2016)
- Obtained trial verdict against former employee for breach of confidentiality, affirmed by Nebraska Supreme Court in First Express Servs. Grp., Inc. v. Easter, 286 Neb. 912, 840 N.W.2d 465 (2013)
News & Analysis
Client Presentations & Firm Publications
Speaking Engagements & Industry Publications
- “Fair Credit Reporting Act Class Actions: Standing and Class Certification in the Wake of Pitre v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc,” ABA Section of Litigation, Spring 2019
Blogs, Videos & Podcasts
Blog Posts
Practices
Education
Creighton University School of Law
- J.D., magna cum laude, 2005
- Student Articles Editor, Creighton Law Review
University of Nebraska
- B.A., English, 1993
Bar & Court Admissions
- California, 2019
- Nebraska, 2005
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois