David is a proud native of Port Arthur, Texas, where he grew up in a blue-collar household in the shadow of multiple refineries.  He returned to the Golden Triangle to start his legal career and family after graduating from law school in 2001.  David has been married to Kelly since 2001 and they have three great children together. 

David leads the firm’s Beaumont, Texas office and continues to represent clients across the Gulf Coast. When he’s not advocating for his clients, he’s active in local Rotary, youth sports, and community affairs.

If you or a loved one has been injured on the inland waterways, offshore, at sea, on the road, or at an industrial site, contact David for a free consultation today.

• Responded, investigated, and litigated numerous large casualties and other maritime incidents, including collisions, allisions, personal injuries, cargo matters and environmental matters.
• Represented numerous USCG licensed mariners and harbor pilots in administrative proceedings before the USCG and pilot commission.
• Represented numerous owners and operators of intermodal chassis and containers in commercial motor vehicle accident claims.
• Represented a vessel owner in various matters arising out of a large collision and oil spill; engaged to respond to incident and protect owner’s interests in investigations by the NTSB, USCG, Texas GLO and other agencies; transitioned role to the defense of related complex civil litigation asserted by more than 20,000 claimants, with a large pro-se component; developed litigation strategy, including the first use of a Lone Pine Case Management Order in the context of an action brought pursuant to the Shipowners’ Limitation of Liability Act; secured the dismissal in excess of 17,000 claimants prior to commencement of discovery.
• Part of trial team that realized an eight-figure recovery arising out of a collision and oil spill.
• Prosecuted claims arising out of a large collision event that resulted in the loss of a vessel.
• Counsel for vessel interests in numerous investigations conducted by the USCG and other regulatory bodies.
• Defended class action asserted against a vessel owner on behalf of agricultural interests arising out of an allision with a lock operated by the United States; asserted claims against the United States and secured dismissal of the United States’ counterclaims prior to commencement of discovery; resulted in very favorable settlement for client.
• Represented shipowner in a stranding that involved a Lloyd’s open form salvage agreement; secured a satisfactory result in litigation involving the salvor’s unjustified invocation of SCOPIC.
• Handled large allision matter involving the total destruction of an oil terminal’s dock; matter settled before commencement of litigation on terms highly favorable to shipowner client.
• Successfully received dismissal of breach of contract claim due to opponent’s failure to fulfill discovery obligations.
• Secured dismissal of oil major’s claims against client for discovery abuses.
• Numerous seven-figure recoveries for damage to vessels, including explosions and collision matters.
• Numerous seven-figure recoveries from vessel arrest matters involving commercial litigation.
• Successfully defended vessel manager in personal injury matter based upon lack of in personam jurisdiction.
• Defended a significant incident arising out of a barge and locomotive contacting one another on the banks of the Upper Mississippi River.