David’s Accomplishments

David’s Legal EducationIMG_0095

David earned his law degree at night while working full-time during the day as a federal agent, graduating with highest academic honors, summa cum laude, from Seattle University School of Law, and being honored as both the Dean’s Medalist for his outstanding achievements, and being elected his class’s commencement speaker.

David spent four years on the Law Alumni Board where he chaired the Mentoring and Professional Development Committee, working to mentor law students and recent graduates. David has since been honored by his law school as one of its outstanding alumni for his leadership in the community.

David’s Criminal Justice Experience

Prior to entering the practice of law, David spent nearly 15 years as a federal law enforcement, primarily in King County. While in law school, David was a Senior Special Agent, investigating crimes such as human trafficking, fraud, and money laundering. David has worked extensively on task forces with local law enforcement agencies throughout King County. David graduated at the top of his class at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and later spent over 1,000 hours teaching law to other federal agents.

In addition, as an attorney, David took time away from his law firm to work as a Special Deputy Prosecutor in the Felony Trial Unit of the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

David also regularly serves as a judge pro tempore in King County District Court and in municipal court, where he handles criminal calendars.

David’s Civil Litigation Experience

David works in complex litigation at one of the country’s top law firms, and has handled numerous cases in King County and in federal district and appellate courts in Washington and around the country. While criminal cases are a big part of the King County Superior Court system, the Court also handles a large number of civil cases each year. David understands the tremendous complexities inherent in many civil cases and the challenges those cases can present to the Court and the parties.

David’s Service to the Legal and Non-Profit Communities

Board President, Northwest Justice Project. Northwest Justice Project is Washington’s largest provider of civil legal aid to low-income people. David was raised on public assistance and saw how poverty can magnify even small legal problems. This drives David’s work today.

Board President, Federal Bar Association for the Western District of Washington. The Federal Bar Association works to advance the administration of justice and the highest standards of competence, performance and ethics among attorneys appearing in federal courts in Western Washington.

Board of Directors, TeamChild. TeamChild provides civil legal aid to youth in distress. As a young person, David had his own experiences with school suspensions and the juvenile justice system, and he puts that experience to work on the TeamChild Board.

Commissioner and Co-Chair of Training Work Group, Seattle Community Police Commission. The Commission represents a broad range of community perspectives in helping to improve police policies and practices, especially how the police work in impacted communities. David spent nearly 15 years in law enforcement, and brings that experience, his personal experiences growing up, and his knowledge of civil rights law to the Commission.

Community Leaders Roundtable of Seattle. The Community Leaders Roundtable of Seattle runs the 180 Program, serving primarily youth of color in King County, in conjunction with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, to keep young people out of the juvenile justice system. Having gone to juvenile court himself as a young person, David is uniquely situated to serve on a board overseeing a program aimed at keeping young people out of the system.

Committee member and Liaison for the Washington Minority and Justice Commission, Washington Supreme Court Civil Legal Needs Study Update Committee. The Committee is charged with overseeing a study of the civil legal needs of Washington’s low-income communities.

Washington State Bar Association Character and Fitness Board. The Board deals with matters of character and fitness for applicants to admission to the practice of law in Washington and the rehabilitation of those applying to be reinstated to law practice after having been disbarred. The Board holds hearings, takes testimony, and issues written decisions.

Leadership Council on Legal Diversity. For the last three years, David has served as the Seattle City Lead for the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, working with law schools on mentoring and developing diverse students to work in the legal profession.

Lawyer Representative, Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference. The Conference works on issues of professionalism among attorneys appearing in federal appellate court.

King County Bar Association Awards Committee.

King County Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Committee.

Past member, Washington State Bar Association Judicial Recommendation Committee. David served on a committee charged with evaluating applicants for appointment to the Washington Court of Appeals and Washington Supreme Court and making recommendations to the Governor.

Past member, United States Magistrate Judge Reappointment Committee. David served on a committee convened to evaluate the reappointment of a United States Magistrate Judge in federal court in Western Washington.

Past Board Vice President, Friends of the Children-Seattle. Friends of the Children provides long-term, one-on-one mentoring, to vulnerable youth in King County.