Bio

Dave was actually asked in a law school job interview why a nice guy like him wanted to work as a union lawyer. Why? Because this “nice guy” only made it to law school because his grandpa, a poor kid of immigrant parents who spoke no English, learned a trade as a tool-and-die maker and spent a career working under union contracts that firmly established the family in the middle class and provided a pension and quality health care for his grandma until she was almost 100. Because this work is important, and there are people out there actively working to undo it. Dave therefore welcomed the chance to come to the Firm in 2002 from the National Labor Relations Board, appreciative of the great education in labor law but tired of playing the neutral when he knew very well which side he was on.

Dave represents the Firm’s union clients in unfair labor practices, organizing campaigns, grievance arbitrations, litigation, internal union governance and compliance, member issues, jurisdictional disputes, and contract negotiations. His litigation practice also includes representing the Firm’s ERISA benefit fund and public pension fund clients in everything from simple collection cases to complex withdrawal liability matters, and representing individuals in employment litigation.

Dave is a long-time member of the Legal Advisory Board of the Arise Chicago Worker Center, a member-based organization helping workers learn about their rights and organize for better workplace conditions. He and his wife have called Chicago home for nearly 20 years, where they are proud to have raised two great kids who seem to share their enthusiasm for social justice, travel, the great outdoors, and the Cubs.

Education

• B.A., St. Olaf College, 1991
• M.A., Indiana University, 1993
• J.D., University of Michigan Law School, 1999