David S. Wachen is a legal "trouble-breaker" and peacekeeper, focused on helping businesses, associations and individuals manage risk and achieve practical and successful resolution of problems of all types—ideally without litigation. However, should litigation ensue, Mr. Wachen brings a formidable arsenal of tools from many years of zealously and successfully representing clients in state and federal courts in Maryland, the District of Columbia and numerous other jurisdictions around the country. He has also represented clients at numerous arbitrations and mediations.
The breadth of Mr. Wachen's experience spans a wide range of substantive areas, including matters involving complex business disputes, media law (Internet, First Amendment, defamation, privacy), intellectual property, real estate, employment, business torts, class actions, telecommunications, insurance, antitrust and bankruptcy.
Prior to joining Shulman Rogers, Mr. Wachen was in-house counsel at MCI, Inc., where he managed a large docket of diverse and complex matters worldwide. His responsibilities included: representing the company in threatened or pending litigation; managing outside counsel in developing and implementing strategy and tactics for pending litigation; negotiating successful resolution of business disputes—often before litigation had been initiated; counseling in-house clients on managing risk and resolving disputes, as well as on issues relating to pending contractual negotiations and disputes with customers, vendors, joint venturers, and the government. Mr. Wachen's MCI tenure provided him with a keen, first-hand understanding of client needs and the challenges they face, including demands and obligations within their organization—a relatively uncommon perspective for an attorney in private practice.
Before joining MCI, Mr. Wachen was in private practice for more than a decade - most recently as a partner at the national law firm of Baker & Hostetler, LLP. A significant portion of his practice involved representing broadcasters, publishers and other members of the media around the country in litigation as well as a variety of other matters. Among other things, he has extensive experience counseling clients on content and newsgathering issues, assisting them in accessing public records and proceedings, and defending them against nonparty subpoenas.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Wachen practiced with the Washington office of Howrey & Simon, and the New York office of Weil, Gotshal & Manges. Following law school, Mr. Wachen clerked for United States District Judge Jay C. Waldman in Philadelphia.
Mr. Wachen graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where he was editor of the University of Pennsylvania Law Review and chair of the Moot Court Board. He received his undergraduate degree in government from Dartmouth College, where he was also General Manager of the college's two commercial radio stations.
Before becoming a lawyer, Mr. Wachen worked in public relations as an account executive in New York at the international firm of Burson-Marsteller.
Mr. Wachen is the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lakewood Country Club, Rockville, MD.