David L. Schrader

David defends companies in litigation involving alleged unfair business practices and unlawful activities, allegations of breach of contract and fraud, environmental claims, and torts. 

David’s major trial victories include a complete defense verdict in Houston for a company being sued by Harris County for $1.6 billion in civil penalties. As a national trial counsel for a defendant in silicone breast implant litigation, he secured defense verdicts in every case he tried. A trial lawyer’s trial lawyer, David also represented a prominent trial attorney in Los Angeles in a high-profile jury trial involving a multimillion-dollar partnership dispute.

David also won complete vindication for another client in a complicated civil Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act case that Corporate Counsel magazine called the company’s “worst nightmare.” He not only defeated all of the plaintiff’s claims, but also obtained a $2.6 million judgment against the plaintiff. In addition, David has argued before multiple US federal and state courts of appeal. His cases often center on complex scientific issues, and he has won the exclusion of testimony of numerous expert witnesses following evidentiary Daubert hearings. Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business heralded David’s litigation skills, naming him one of the top water quality litigation attorneys in the United States and one of the top litigators in California, noting that clients “describe him as ‘brilliant in front of the judge and the juries’ and praise his strategic approach.”

• Representing a manufacturer of aerospace parts, won trial of groundwater contamination lawsuit brought by an agency in Orange County, California.
• Defeated a motion for class certification against an auto manufacturer in federal court in Los Angeles.
• Prevailed on a motion to dismiss all claims, with prejudice, in a putative class action against an auto manufacturer in federal court in Los Angeles.
• Obtained dismissal with prejudice in a putative class action against an investment firm in Los Angeles.
• Representing a global auto manufacturer, defeated all claims by plaintiff and won a $2.6 million judgment against plaintiff in a high-profile civil RICO matter.
• Defended an online advertising company against a $1 billion lawsuit and arbitration, alleging violations of CAN-SPAM Act.
• Obtained dismissal, based on federal preemption, of a national class action by boat owners alleging that gasoline containing ethanol is a defective product.
• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of a life insurance company in a federal court lawsuit alleging RICO, fraud, and unlawful business practices and seeking $300 million in damages.
• Obtained a confidential settlement for a wind farm operator in an arbitration of breach-of-contract claims against a manufacturer of wind turbines.
• Undefeated in defense of silicone breast implant jury trials in multiple states.
• Undefeated in defense of asbestos product liability trials in Los Angeles.
• Defended a major oil company in a jury trial in Portland, Oregon involving claims of breach of contract and fraud and an eight-figure damage claim. Case settled during jury deliberations.
• Defended a prominent trial attorney in a jury trial involving alleged breach of partnership agreement and fiduciary duty.
• Obtained dismissal, on free speech grounds, of a class action lawsuit alleging false advertising of premium gasoline.
• Obtained dismissal of an unfair business practices class action against a cellular telephone manufacturer.
• Obtained a defense award in an arbitration of claims by a former company founder seeking multimillion dollars in stock options.
• Obtained summary judgment in product liability lawsuit against a vaccine manufacturer.
• Defended a railroad in a jury trial of a lawsuit in Los Angeles by 83 plaintiffs claiming personal injuries, toxic exposure, and emotional distress. Defeated petition for a writ of mandate in a bench trial seeking an award of a multimillion-dollar contract.
• Obtained dismissal of hundreds of plaintiffs following entry of a case management order in a mass tort litigation arising out of a train derailment and pipeline rupture.