David is a partner in the firm and Chair of the Labor and Employment Law section. He advises and represents businesses and municipalities in all aspects of the employment relationship, including equal employment opportunity, civil rights litigation, trade secret protection and litigation, non-compete litigation, defamation litigation, employment policy consultation and drafting, drafting of employment agreements, and lawful documentation of the employment relationship.
Although David is a seasoned litigator, he has a passion for advising clients on how to achieve their goals while avoiding litigation altogether. As part of his litigation-avoidance practice, David spends much of his day on the telephone helping his clients (1) navigate difficult employee terminations, (2) investigate allegations of harassment, discrimination or retaliation, (3) respond to accommodation and FMLA requests in a manner that is lawful but limits business hardship, and (4) respond to the numerous other issues that arise regarding employment.
Practice Areas
Experience
- Obtained summary judgment and early dismissal on behalf of local, regional, and national businesses in numerous discrimination, harassment, retaliation, FMLA, ADA, FLSA and related lawsuits.
- Successfully represented an international equipment manufacturer in a claim regarding trade secret misappropriation, obtaining (among other remedies) a $121,000,000 judgment for the client. After briefing before the Supreme Court of Virginia, the $121,000,000 judgment was upheld.
- Defended national client in a breach of contract action by a former independent contractor. Following opening statements and cross-examination of plaintiff's witnesses, obtained dismissal of all of plaintiff's claims on a motion to strike the plaintiff's evidence.
- Successfully represented an executive formerly employed by a government contractor in a breach of fiduciary duty and breach of non-compete agreement lawsuit in Maryland Circuit Court. Following a three-day jury trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the executive on all counts.
- Successfully defended a regional employer in a workplace defamation trial. At the conclusion of the trial, the Court dismissed all of plaintiff's claims.
- Successfully represented an executive in an employment related defamation action.
- Successfully defended a start-up insurance company against charges of trade secret misappropriation and breach of non-competition agreements.
- Drafted numerous non-competition agreements, executive employment agreements, and other agreements related to the employment relationship.
- Advised and represented numerous employers in the protection of trade secrets, confidential information, and proprietary business information.
- Represented employers facing charges of discrimination before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and State and local agencies, consistently obtaining "no cause" determinations on behalf of the employers.
- Successfully represented clients before the Supreme Court of Virginia, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and District Courts throughout the country.
Events
News / Publications
News
- Willcox Savage Attorneys Recognized as Virginia's 2020 Legal Elite
- Willcox Savage Attorneys Recognized in 2021 Best Lawyers in America
- Attorneys Named in 2020 Virginia Super Lawyers & Rising Stars
- Employer Obligations Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
- Willcox Savage Attorneys Recognized as Virginia's 2019 Legal Elite
- Willcox Savage Announces New Chair of Labor and Employment Practice
- Attorneys Named in 2019 Virginia Super Lawyers & Rising Stars
- Willcox Savage Attorneys Recognized as Virginia's 2018 Legal Elite
- Consider carefully before using unpaid interns
- Attorneys Named in 2018 Virginia Super Lawyers & Rising Stars
- The complicated web of the ADA and website accessibility
- Twenty-Five Attorneys Named as Virginia's "2017 Legal Elite"
- Attorneys Named in 2017 Virginia Super Lawyers & Rising Stars
- Twenty-Five Attorneys Named as Virginia's "2016 Legal Elite"
- Attorneys Named in 2016 Virginia Super Lawyers & Rising Stars
- Twenty-Nine Attorneys Named as Virginia's "2015 Legal Elite"
- Attorneys Named in 2015 Virginia Super Lawyers & Rising Stars
- Twenty-Four Attorneys Named as Virginia's "2014 Legal Elite"
- Twenty-One Attorneys Named as Virginia's "2013 Legal Elite"
- Willcox Savage Announces New Partner
- Twenty-Eight Attorneys Named as Virginia's "2012 Legal Elite"
- Attorneys Recognized by Benchmark Litigation
- Attorneys Named in 2012 Virginia Super Lawyers & Rising Stars
Publications
- Employment Law Outlook - Fall 2020
- Client Alert: Virginia Department of Labor Issues Emergency Standard Requiring Virginia Employers to Implement COVID-19 Safety Procedures
- Employment Law Outlook - Summer 2020 (Special Edition - Summary of Virginia Employment Laws)
- Employment Law Outlook - Spring 2020 (SPECIAL COVID-19 ISSUE)
- Employer Obligations Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
- Employment Law Outlook - Winter 2020
- Employment Law Outlook - Summer 2019
- Employment Law Outlook - Spring 2019
- Employment Law Outlook - Fall 2018
- Employment Law Outlook - Spring 2018
- Employment Law Outlook - Winter 2018
- Employment Law Outlook - Summer 2017
- Tech Law Letter - Summer 2016
- E-Discovery Newsletter - Summer 2016
- E-Discovery Newsletter - Fall 2015
- Employment Law Outlook - Fall 2015
- Considerations for pandemic preparedness
- Employment Law Outlook - Winter 2015
- E-Discovery Newsletter - Summer 2013
- E-discovery - the digital age of litigation
- Tech Law Letter- Spring 2013
- Employment Law Outlook - Winter 2012
- Employment Law Outlook - Fall 2011
- Employment Law Outlook - Spring 2011
- Employment Law Outlook - Spring 2010
- Employment Law Outlook - Spring 2009