David has more than 30 year’s legal experience in a variety of practice areas. He is highly regarded as a bankruptcy attorney, having represented hundreds of debtors and creditors, and having been a finalist for appointment as a federal bankruptcy judge. His clients have included doctors, lawyers, teachers, and other professionals. He also is counsel for small businesses, including financial, retail, wholesale and distribution enterprises. He has an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and has been designated a “Super Lawyer.” David performed management and administrative duties within the law firm from 1993 to 2011.
Another area of specialization is Social Security Disability cases. David has been successful for hundreds of claimants in Wisconsin and Minnesota. He also does mediation, having provided alternative dispute resolution services in civil litigation, farmer-creditor conflicts on a volunteer basis, and even disputes within law firms, drawing on management experience in his own firm.
David has a long record of community involvement and is past president of the United States Curling Association. He played an integral role in the collaboration between the Boys & Girls Club and Viterbo University in building a joint recreational facility, the first of its kind in the nation. David received the State Bar of Wisconsin Pro Bono Award in 1993. In 2006, he started a free legal clinic with volunteer lawyers, and still manages the monthly clinic. In 2012, he received the Jefferson Award for public service. In 2016, David received the State Bar Leonard Loeb Award for an older attorney who has made significant contributions to the legal community. His passion for service to others in the community is the same passion that he brings to serving his clients.
Representative Experience
Represented credit union in recovering fraud claim against bankruptcy debtors.
Reached settlement for less than half of the amount sought, on behalf of the defendant, in a bankruptcy litigation case. The defendant was a small business being sued by a bankruptcy trustee to recover preferential transfer.
Successfully defended a client in bankruptcy litigation against a fraud claim, leading to the dismissal of the fraud claim. The debtor client was being sued by a relative for fraud, when no fraud was involved.
Recovered real estate for a creditor client, who needed to foreclose on a delinquent land contract. The adverse party deeded back the real estate after being convinced of an alternative to litigation.
Has represented hundreds of social security disability claims.
Has represented many small businesses in financial distress.
Representative Cases
Kane v. Employer’s Ins. of Wausau, 419 N.W.2d 324 (Wis.App. 1987)
Rome v. Betz, 355 N.W.2d 844 (Wis. App. 1984)
Grabitske v. Brittingham & Hixon Lumber Co. (W.D.Wis. 2010 2010)
Honors & Awards
State Bar of Wisconsin Pro Bono Award, 1993
Boys & Girls Clubs Wall of Fame, 2007
Jefferson Award for Public Service, 2012
State Bar Senior Lawyers Award, 2016
Super Lawyer, 2011-2023
AV Martindale-Hubbell Rating, 2011-2023
Classes/Seminars Taught
Adjunct Professor of Business Law, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, 2001–2019
Social Security Disability, Paralegal Association, 2006
Bankruptcy and Secured Transactions, High School Apprenticeship Class, 1997–2000
Bankruptcy, La Crosse County Bar Association, 1985, 2019
Social Security Disability, Western Wisconsin Legal Services, 1986, 1989, 1994
Receivers in Wisconsin and Creditors’ Rights in Bankruptcy, Credit Managers Group, 1999, 2004
Law Firm Management, La Crosse County Bar Association, 2006, 2016
Law Firm Trust Accounts, La Crosse County Bar Association, 2010
Parliamentary Procedure, La Crosse County Bar Association, 2014
Ethical Issues, Paralegal Association of Wisconsin, 2019
Professional & Community Affiliations
Wisconsin Bar Association, 1979 –Present
La Crosse County Bar Association, Past President, 1979–Present
Legal Assistance Committee, Wisconsin Bar Association, 2000–2006
Board of Directors, and Treasurer, Western Wisconsin Legal Services (Low Income Clients), 1987–1993
Board of Directors, Legal Action of Wisconsin (Serving low income clients in 39 counties), 2005 –Present
La Crosse County Bar Association, Low Income Divorce Panel, 1992–1995
La Crosse Public Education Foundation, Past President, 2000–2006
Board of Directors, La Crosse County Historical Society, 1993–1996
Board of Directors, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse, 1997 –Present
Community Youth Initiative Advocacy Committee (Skate Park, Curfew Change, Teen Center), 1998 –2004
State Road School PTA, Past President, 1989–1996
Board of Directors and Past President, United States Curling Association (USCA), 1984–1996
United States Curling Association Hall of Fame Committee, 1988-1996, 2004–2014; Judicial Committee 2014-2020
Board of Directors and Past President, Wisconsin State Curling Association, 1977–Present
Office of Lawyer Regulation, District 5 Committee, 2012–Present
Board of Directors and Treasurer, United Campus Ministry, 1990–1995
Board of Directors, Advantage Financial Services, 2010–2020
Mathy Center Board, 2010 – Present
Pro Bono Activities
Wisconsin Farm Mediation and Arbitration Program, Volunteer Mediator, 1986–Present
La Crosse County Free Legal Clinic, 2006–Present
Board of Directors, Legal Action of Wisconsin, 2005-Present
Education
- J.D. , University of Wisconsin Law School, Madison, Wisconsin, (1979), Cum Laude
- B.B.A, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, (1974)
Admissions
Wisconsin, 1979
U.S. Federal Courts, 1979