David H. Pierce, Founding Partner
Focus
Civil Litigation
Area of Expertise
Mr. Pierce is experienced in civil trial matters involving a wide range of cases with emphasis in construction defect, real estate broker errors & omissions, premises liability including market, apartment and construction site accidents, product and professional liability, automobile liability, intentional tort, and employment-related issues, including wrongful termination, sexual harassment and discrimination claims, contract negotiations and disputes, mechanic liens, as well as other business and complex litigation matters.
Representative Clients
In addition to the numerous individuals, business and contractor entities, Mr. Pierce also currently represents the insureds of insurance carriers such as Clarendon America, General Security, QBE Insurance, Aspen Specialties and General Star.
Representative Cases
Mr. Pierce has the distinction of having tried cases through jury verdict throughout the Southern California region in courthouses located in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Ventura, Van Nuys, Pasadena, Torrance/Redondo Beach, Riverside and Santa Ana. Some of the most recent results, by category, are as follows:
Recent Trial Results
(Construction matters only)
Defense Matters:
Riverside – DEFENSE VERDICT
Represented rough framing subcontractor; $2 M claim asserted by 43 homeowners (22 single family homes); seven week jury trial. Additional note: obtained $24,000 judgment against homeowners for costs.
Pasadena – JURY VERDICT $10,500 – BEAT STATUTORY OFFER
Represented rough framing subcontractor (only defendant remaining at trial); $750,000 claim asserted by owner-builder on four homes; two week jury trial. Additional note: reached favorable settlement with cross-defendant in the amount of $25,000 paid to client.
Los Angeles – DEFENSE JUDGMENT
Represented roofing subcontractor; $1 M claim asserted by commercial building owner; 24-day binding arbitration @ American Arbitration Association (motion for non-suit granted).
Los Angeles – DEFENSE JUDGMENT
Represented plumbing subcontractor; $15 M claim asserted by large insurance company and HOA against the developer; nine week jury trial (motion for non-suit granted). Additional note: Jury returned verdict against developer for $7.6 M.
Santa Monica – JURY VERDICT $16,977- BEAT STATUTORY OFFER
Represented pile driving subcontractor (only defendant); $250,000 claim asserted by homeowner; two week jury trial.
Santa Ana – JURY VERDICT $17,000 – BEAT STATUTORY OFFER
Represented developer/general contractor (only defendant); $100,000 claim asserted by homeowner; two week jury trial.
Ventura – DEFENSE VERDICT
Represented homeowner against general contractor in fee claim/construction defect dispute; one day bench trial.
Plaintiff Matters:
Santa Monica – JURY VERDICT $197,000
Represented developer/general contractor in insurance subrogation action against decking subcontractor following settlement with HOA; ten day jury trial.
Santa Monica – JURY VERDICT $167,000
Represented single family homeowners against general contractor performing remodel; twelve day jury trial.
Santa Ana – JURY VERDICT $650,000
Represented HOA against roofing contractor; ten day jury trial. Additional note: obtained additional $109,000 in costs/attorneys’ fees, along with $77,500 against 2nd roofing contractor, making total recovery $836,500.
Santa Monica – JURY VERDICT $429,000
Represented single family homeowners against general contractor performing remodel; three week jury trial. Additional note: obtained additional $198,000 in costs/attorneys’ fees, plus interest, bringing total judgment to $557,000.
(Litigated Personal Injury Matters Only)
Los Angeles – DEFENSE VERDICT
Represented defendant rental car company in an auto accident matter involving personal injury and property damage; two day bench trial.
Torrance/Redondo Beach – DEFENSE VERDICT
Represented defendant driver in an auto accident matter involving personal injury and property damage; four day jury trial.
Torrance/Redondo Beach – DEFENSE VERDICT
Represented defendant casino in an assault and battery (knifing) matter involving premises liability; five day jury trial.
Background
Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Pierce was a field claims representative for State Farm Fire and Casualty Insurance Company, handling matters involving both structural property damage and casualty claims. Mr. Pierce has also worked in a variety of construction trades, including framing. As an attorney, he has represented clients in over 1,000 litigated matters, taken and defended several hundred depositions, and mediated hundreds of matters as well.
Memberships
Mr. Pierce was admitted to practice in 1990. He is a member of the California State Bar, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), Los Angeles County Bar Association and the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel. Mr. Pierce is admitted to practice in the Central Federal District of California. He also has a California real estate license.
Education
Mr. Pierce is a graduate of Lincoln Law School in Sacramento and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
* David Pierce has been selected by his peers to Southern California Super Lawyers for 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012. Considered among the best in their profession, Super Lawyers represent the top 5% of the practicing attorneys in Southern California.
Considered among the best in their profession, attorneys featured in Super Lawyers represent the top 5% of the practicing attorneys in Southern California. The Southern California Super Lawyersfor 2012 were selected by their peers in an extensive nomination and polling process conducted by Law & Politics and published in the February 2012 issue of Los Angeles magazine and in Southern California Super Lawyers magazine.
