David is the senior partner of the firm. Born on April 6, 1958, in Madison, Wisconsin, he holds four academic degrees, a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin in 1980, a J.D. from Drake University in 1983, and an LL.M., from the Judge Advocate General ’ s School of the Army in 1992. The last degree is known as a Master of Laws Degree and very few lawyers hold this additional law degree. David’s Masters of Law program specialized in the area of contracts.  In July of 2006, David completed his fourth academic degree, a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies (M.S.S.), through the prestigious Army War College.  This degree was completed through a rigorously demanding two-year program and the acceptance of his masters’ thesis, entitled:  “The Army as the Client in Abu Ghraib:  Lessons Learned for Judge Advocates.”  The thesis deals with the lawyers involved in the Abu Ghraib debacle.  David’s thesis was nominated for a writing award.

David primarily practices in the areas of probate, estates, contracts, and taxation. Because of his litigation background in the Army, he has tried cases from defense in simple misdemeanor cases (criminal) to personal injury and medical malpractice (civil), and administrative hearings for unemployment benefits, workers’ compensation, social security disability, and agency/board hearings regarding license suspensions, government boards, FSA and school administration.

David’s interest in litigation stemmed from success as a national semi-finalist in mock trial competition in law school. He developed this interest further during his nine years on active duty with the Army after law school, first by being taught investigations and evidence handling as a counter-intelligence officer at the U.S. Army Intelligence Center and School, then by serving as a “JAG” officer in both prosecution and defense positions. His key prosecution case for the Army included the first use of DNA evidence in the military (U.S. v. Lake) where he was able to work with and learn from the famous forensic expert Dr. Henry Lee, and his key defense case was defending a young soldier on false charges that were later reversed for constitutional error preserved by David (U.S. v. Grooters).

David is a Colonel in the United States Army Reserve J.A.G.C., and is involved in a variety of civic organizations. He also serves as the City Attorney for Nashua, Iowa.