Dave is an experienced civil litigator and trial lawyer, handling a wide range of claims over the course of his career. His practice includes defending insurance company clients in disputes with insureds, other insurers, and claimants. Those cases involve questions about whether coverage is available for a claim, the value of the claim, the priority of multiple coverages, and whether the insurer acted in bad faith in its handling of the claim.
Dave also defends clients in general liability cases, in which a party claims to have suffered bodily injury, property damage, etc., as a result of the negligent acts or omissions of another - including complex bodily injury cases. He has also handled cases in federal court defending a variety of claims asserted against cities, counties, and municipalities. Other areas of his practice include transportation law, environmental litigation, workplace injury claims, property disputes, grade crossing accident cases, interactions with local municipalities, medical malpractice cases - defending doctors and other health care providers, as well as a variety of commercial litigation involving disputes between businesses.
As managing attorney of the Cincinnati office, Dave oversees the day-to-day operations for the entire office, ensuring that client matters are handled promptly, professionally and effectively.
Dave received his juris doctor from Salmon P. Chase College of Law in 1999, after completing his undergraduate work at Hanover College in 1995. He is admitted in both state and federal courts in the state of Ohio and Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Dave is married with two sons. He is active in his community and currently serves on the Executive Board of Oak Hills Youth Athletics.
Honors & awards
The Best Lawyers in America, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
2025
Year joined
2017
Results
Successful defense of appeal in the Kentucky Court of Appeals.
Insurance Services - Coverage & Bad Faith Litigation
November 4, 2022
We successfully defended an appeal of summary judgment granted in favor of our insurance company client in the Kentucky Court of Appeals. The court agreed our client was entitled to challenge liability for the plaintiff’s claim and defend its insured, despite the requirements of the Kentucky Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act.
Ohio Court of Appeals affirms summary judgment for nail salon.
Premises & Retail Liability
April 22, 2022
We successfully defended an appeal of a trial court grant of summary judgment in favor of a nail salon in a slip-and-fall case. The plaintiff alleged she fell in an untreated wet area inside the salon on a rainy day. However, the plaintiff failed to produce any evidence about the source of the “wet area,” or that the salon had actual or constructive knowledge of the wet area prior to the plaintiff’s fall. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of the salon and the Ohio Court of Appeals affirmed that decision.
Thought Leadership
Ohio Supreme Court Enforces Broad Arbitration Clause in Insurance Policy, Extending to Bad Faith Claims
Cincinnati
Insurance Services - Coverage & Bad Faith Litigation
January 1, 2026
In this medical malpractice lawsuit filed against an emergency services provider, the insurer for the provider assigned counsel and underto
98 Marshall Dennehey Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Editions of The Best Lawyers in America and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America
August 20, 2025
Marshall Dennehey is proud to highlight the firm’s 98 attorneys who have been recognized in the 2026 editions of The Best Lawyers in America and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America. Less than 6% of all practicing lawyers in the U.S.
On the Pulse...Practicing Law in 'The Heart of It All'
Cincinnati
June 1, 2024
The state of Ohio refers to itself as “The Heart of It All” because of its central location-highlighting the fact that approximately half the population of the United States is located within 500 miles of the state capital in Columbus, which is ro Defense Digest, Vol. 30, No.
On the Pulse...The Queen City and Beyond
Cincinnati
June 1, 2020
Founded in 1788 after the American Revolution, the City of Cincinnati was originally called Losantiville. Defense Digest, Vol. 26, No.