Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Business Litigation, Construction Law and Real Estate Law, David Willis devotes his practice to construction, real estate and commercial matters. David is one of 15 Florida attorneys who are certified in three areas. His three areas of certification are complementary, providing him with a solid foundation to assist all of his clients, whether they are seeking counsel for corporate transactions, contract negotiations or litigation. In addition, David is certified mediator by the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida and also a Florida Supreme Court-certified circuit mediator. He serves as an impartial third party to facilitate discussions and help parties in civil suits reach a mutual agreement before a trial.
David represents businesses, their owners and executives, and serves as a valuable resource for his clients. He works with his clients to promptly resolve disputes avoiding litigation altogether. But, when litigation is unavoidable, he understands the complexities and nuances of litigation to help his clients prevail with less time and expense.
With more than 40 years of experience, David has successfully represented parties involved in construction projects including public or private owners, general contractors, trade contractors, material suppliers, and design professionals. Construction projects have included multi-million dollar commercial buildings, hospitals, schools, high rise condominiums, hotels, and airports. David is involved in all stages of the project from site acquisition, contract negotiation and drafting, contract administration to close out. He guides clients through disputes involving construction liens, Federal Miller Act bond claims and state law bond claims, defective work claims, delay damages, acceleration claims and extras. He also handles litigation that varies from the simple to the complex, multi-party, multi-million dollar construction defect, delay and acceleration claims.
A significant part of David’s practice also includes handling a wide variety of business transactions and business litigation. Over his career, David has successfully tried jury and non-jury trials in state, federal and bankruptcy court throughout Florida. David represents clients in matters involving breach of contract, business entity/shareholder disputes, business torts, patents, trademarks, and copyright claims, real estate disputes and creditor’s rights. His extensive background litigating contracts and related business disputes provides him with additional insight when counseling clients on various contracts, real estate transactions and non-compete agreements.
David also assists clients in the purchase or sale of commercial real estate. He guides clients from negotiating contracts to working with surveyors, environmental experts and title companies, through to closing. He provides invaluable insight to his clients when handling real estate transactions. David is also a title insurance agent for Old Republic National Title Insurance Company and a member of Attorneys’ Title Fund Services.
David currently serves on The Florida Bar Real Estate Law Certification Committee. He previously served on The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization & Education from 2018-2024, having held the Vice Chair and Chair positions. He also previously served on The Florida Bar Construction Law Certification Committee from 2010-2016, having held the Vice Chair and Chair positions. These committees are responsible for reviewing applications for Board Certification and preparing the certification examination. David also served on The Florida Bar Business Litigation Certification Committee from 2004-2010. David served as a member of the Edgewood City Council from 2002 to 2004 and 2005 to 2011.
David is also certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a Circuit and County Mediator. In his role as a mediator, David will assist with negotiations between parties engaged in disputes, specializing in clear communication and conflict resolution to guide groups through the agreement process and help them to independently reach a solution. David believes his 40 years of litigation experience will enable him to assist his colleagues in reaching a resolution of their cases.
Community
•Edgewood City Council
Certifications
•AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
•Board Certified in Real Estate Law
•Board Certified in Construction Law
•Board Certified in Business Litigation
•Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit and County Mediator
•Certified Mediator, U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
Awards & Honors
•Listed in Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation and Construction Law 2023-2026
•Listed in Florida Super Lawyers 2009, 2011
Articles & Presentations
•Co-presenter, 'Navigating the FTC’s Final Rule on Noncompete Agreements: Critical Insights for Employers,' The Knowledge Group, September 2024
•Panelist, 'Florida Bar Board Certification: How and Why to Get Board Certified,' Orange County Bar Association CLE, October 2023
•Panelist, 'Best Practices for Peer Review and Challenges to the Process,' American Bar Association National Specialization Roundtable, May 2022
•Presenter, 'Managing Your Risk - A Top Ten List of Ways to Avoid Spending Time With Lawyers,' Associated Builders and Contractors Workforce, March 1, 2017, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
•Comparison of Consensus DOCS and 2007 AIA Agreements - Associated General Contractors of Greater Florida - Speaker, 2008 - 6/26/08
•Florida Law for Engineers- American Society Civil Engineers - Speaker, 1998, 2003
•Florida Law for Design Professionals-Lorman Education Services - Speaker, 1997, 1998, 1999
•Notice to Owner - What Is It and What Do I Do With It? - Orlando Regional Healthcare System - Speaker - June 2, 1998
•Legal Aspects of Dealing with the Year 2000 - Florida Hospital Association - Speaker - July 22, 1998
•The “Moransais Decision” - A Discussion From the Engineer’s Perspective - American Society Civil Engineers - Speaker - December 14, 1999
•Florida Construction Contract Law - Centex Homes - Speaker - May 8, 2001
•Emerging Issues in Florida Indoor Air Quality and Toxic Mold Litigation - National Business Institute - Speaker - December 9, 2003
•Navigating Your Way Through Business Court Seminar - Orange County Bar Association - Co-Chairman - May 13, 2005
David's News and Insights
01.29.2026
Firm News
David Willis Adds Federal Mediator Certification to ADR Practice
RumbergerKirk partner David Willis has been certified as a mediator...
08.21.2025
Firm News
27 RumbergerKirk Attorneys Named to the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America
Dan Gerber and Leonard Dietzen Named “Lawyer of the Year;”...
08.04.2025
Firm News
Partner David Willis is Certified by the Supreme Court of Florida as a Circuit Mediator
RumbergerKirk Partner David Willis has been certified from the Supreme...
09.04.2024
Events
Navigating the FTC’s Final Rule on Noncompete Agreements: Critical Insights for Employers
RumbergeKirk partner David Willis shared insights on the FTC’s Final...
08.15.2024
Firm News
Best Lawyers in America 2025 Edition Recognizes 24 RumbergerKirk Attorneys
Two Named “Lawyer of the Year” and Two Named “Ones...
07.08.2024
Firm News
David Willis Appointed to Serve on the Florida Bar Real Estate Certification Committee
RumbergerKirk Partner David Willis has been appointed to The Florida...
10.26.2023
Events
Florida Bar Board Certification: How and Why to Get Board Certified
The Orange County Bar Association Intellectual Property, Business Law, Criminal...
08.17.2023
Firm News
Best Lawyers in America Recognizes 24 RumbergerKirk Attorneys with Managing Partner Frank Sheppard Named Lawyer of the Year
ORLANDO, FL - August 17, 2023 - Best Lawyers has...
05.25.2023
Firm News
David Willis Appointed Chair of the Board of Legal Specialization and Education for The Florida Bar
David Willis will chair the Board of Legal Specialization &...
11.16.2022
Firm News
David Willis is Recertified in Real Estate Law
RumbergerKirk Orlando Partner David Willis has been recertified by The...
