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

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