David J. Richards
David J. Richards
Partner
"An effective litigator is always professional, respectful, and cordial — and able to fight aggressively when necessary."
David J. Richards
Partner
"An effective litigator is always professional, respectful, and cordial — and able to fight aggressively when necessary."
About Dave
With nearly 30 years of experience as a trial attorney, Dave has handled virtually every kind of civil litigation from coast to coast. He represents individuals and corporations in cases ranging from breach of contract and product liability, premises liability, and automobile liability, to breach of warranty and toxic exposure matters, and other commercial litigation and arbitration. Dave has also handled complex termite damage lawsuits and significant cases against prominent plaintiffs' firms.
Dave represents clients nationwide in state and federal courts. His experience includes serving on a team of national trial counsel for one of the nation's leading consumer service providers. He also has extensive experience in binding arbitrations.
Areas of Focus
Experience
- Successful representation in toxic exposure case in Iowa involving claim of cerebral palsy allegedly caused by exposure to pesticide. Case was originally filed in state court, removed to federal district court, which granted Daubert motions to exclude plaintiffs' experts and summary judgment in defendants' favor. On appeal, the Eighth Circuit remanded to state court because individual employee of defendant improperly dismissed and diversity was lacking. In subsequent state court proceeding against employee, summary judgment granted based on Daubert and absence of evidence of causation.
- Favorable settlement reached in an action for breach of contract, tortious interference, misappropriation of technology by software vendor against home warranty company in federal court in Philadelphia. Case involved multiple written and oral agreements and vendor sought losses of revenue and business value in excess of $100 million. Multiple favorable summary judgment rulings and successful motions to exclude plaintiff's experts reduced claim to approximately $600,000 and thereafter, a favorable settlement was found.
- Successful trial result in a rear-end auto accident case in Buffalo, New York in which liability was conceded and the case was tried on damages only. Plaintiff claimed neck and back injuries necessitating cervical fusion surgery. Plaintiff's last demand prior to verdict was $400,000 and she asked the jury for a verdict of approximately $800,000. The defense asserted that the claimed injuries were not related to the accident, based on biomechanical expert testimony regarding minor impact and medical expert testimony that the injuries were pre-existing. The jury verdict was for $45,000.
- Successful arbitration result in a termite-damage fraud case in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Claimant sought recovery for diminished value of home due to deficiencies in termite services, attorney's fees, punitive damages, and mental anguish. Claimant requested an award of $1.5 million, plus punitive damages. The arbitrator awarded claimants $208,040 and denied all other claims including punitive damages.
- Successful arbitration result in a property-damage action for breach of a home warranty. Claimant sought damages for the cost of replacing his air conditioning, plus damages for consumer fraud, treble damages and attorney's fees. The arbitration was conducted through Zoom and the arbitrator awarded damages for cost of repairs, but found for our client on the claims for consumer fraud, treble damages, and attorney's fees.
Recognition
- Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 40 Illinois Attorneys Under 40 to Watch, 2009
- Martindale-Hubbell, AV® Peer Review Rating
- Valparaiso University School of Law, Valparaiso University Law Review, Managing Editor
Credentials
Education
- Valparaiso University School of Law, JD, summa cum laude, 1995
- Loyola University of Chicago, BA, 1992
Bar Admissions
- Illinois
Court Admissions
- US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Interests
Dave is an experienced guitar player and athlete — he and his wife regularly participate in exercise competitions and running events.
