Biography
David’s practice is primarily litigation involving employee issues which expand into areas of tort law actions against employers. He represents Fortune 500 companies and employers in the trucking, retail, construction, manufacturing and other industries. He is a frequent speaker to various human resource and employer/employee groups. David was a Captain in the United States Army and served as Chief Trial Counsel the United States Army, Judge Advocate General’s Corps for the 3rd Infantry Division from 1983 to 1987.
Areas of Focus
+Employment
- Provides timely advice and training on all aspects of employment law with respect to employer actions and decisions, reductions in force, handbooks and policies
+Outside General Counsel Services
- Frequently provides management and employee training on all areas of employment law and union avoidance
- Frequently speaks to human resources organizations, EAP associations, local and state employers associations and other local groups on topics of particular interest or significance in the employment arena
- Acts in the capacity of outside general counsel for many of his clients
+Transportation
- Specific experience in the trucking, retail, manufacturing, and construction industries
- Acts as primary legal point of contact for national and regional companies; coordinates the handling of legal needs beyond employment, leveraging attorneys within Poyner Spruill to assist clients with intellectual property issues, financial dealings, civil litigation, employee benefits, and more
+Employment Litigation
- Employer defense trial counsel and providing management advice on all areas of employment law including race, sex, religion, color, age, disability and handicap discrimination, retaliation and harassment cases, Family and Medical Leave Act cases, Fair Labor Standards Act cases, worker’s compensation retaliation claims, “whistleblower” claims, wrongful death cases, and various tort cases. Successfully defended several class actions
- Defends employers before all state and local human rights agencies, The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, The U.S. and State Departments of Labor, and all Federal and State courts
Credentials
+Certifications & Specializations
Certified Yellow Belt in Legal Lean Sigma by the Legal Lean Sigma Institute®
+Education
Wake Forest University, JD, 1983
Wake Forest University, BS, 1980, cum laude
+Professional & Community Activities
Mecklenburg County Bar Association
North Carolina State Bar
+Notable Accomplishments
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® (Employment Law – Management) 2021, 2023-2025; (Litigation-Labor and Employment) 2024-2025; (Labor Law-Management) 2024-2025
Recognized as “Litigation Star” for Employment by Benchmark Litigation (2023)
