Dave is Chair of Pierce Atwood's Litigation Group and heads the firm's Government Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense practice. He regularly manages complex business litigation in federal and state courts and he has extensive experience assisting clients with government enforcement and compliance matters involving potential criminal penalties. Dave's practice includes representing corporate and individual clients (directors, officers, and other employees) in connection with internal investigations and federal and state criminal and regulatory investigations and enforcement matters, including U.S. Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission investigations, banking and financial crimes, environmental crimes and health care fraud.
Before joining Pierce Atwood, Dave worked with the firm of Baker & McKenzie in Chicago, focusing on commercial litigation. Dave is a member of the firm's Management Committee.
Recent Experience
- Lead counsel representing a large public health care company in federal criminal investigation of health care fraud allegations and related civil False Claims Act investigation and qui tam action
- Representation of former director and board audit committee chair of public company in SEC and DOJ investigations involving the FCPA and allegations of securities fraud
- Lead counsel representing multinational seafood company in internal investigation involving allegations of import/export violations
- Lead counsel defending members of limited liability company involved in thoroughbred horse business in multi-million dollar fraudulent transfer actions brought by Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee
- Lead counsel defending subsidiary of public company that owns and operates waste-to-energy facility in multiple civil actions brought by municipalities and individuals involving allegations of breach of contract, fraud, breach of fiduciary obligations, violations of the federal Clean Air Act, and common law and statutory nuisance claims
Honors & Distinctions
Dave served as Chief Associate Independent Counsel in the Office of Independent Counsel Ralph I. Lancaster, which investigated allegations of criminal conduct on the part of President Clinton's Secretary of Labor and other officials. Dave and Ralph Lancaster represented the Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court in impeachment proceedings before the New Hampshire House of Representatives. Dave is included in
The Best Lawyers in America in the areas of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, and White Collar Criminal Defense; he is also rated AV® Preeminent™ by
Martindale-Hubbell.
Professional Activities
Member, Maine State Bar Association
Member, Maine Trial Lawyers Association
Member, Cumberland County (Maine) Bar Association