David L. Schrader has represented clients across the United States in their most significant matters for more than 30 years. A fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, he tries high-stakes cases in state and federal courts from California to New York. He is recognized for his creative strategic approach and counsel in complex multidistrict litigation on behalf of clients in the energy, automotive, manufacturing, and life sciences industries.
David’s many trial victories include obtaining a complete defense verdict in Houston, Texas, where the state and county sought to recover $1.6 billion in civil penalties; securing defense verdicts in every product liability case he has tried; obtaining complete vindication for a major auto manufacturer in a civil RICO case that Corporate Counsel magazine called the company’s “worst nightmare;” and winning a $133 million verdict representing a major oil company as the plaintiff. A trial lawyer’s trial lawyer, David also represented a prominent Los Angeles trial attorney in a high-profile jury trial involving a multi-million dollar partnership dispute.
In addition to his trial work, David has successfully argued before multiple US federal and state courts of appeal. His cases often center on complex scientific issues, and he has succeeded in excluding the testimony of numerous expert witnesses.
Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business has 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.”
Ranked, Litigation: General Commercial, California, Chambers USA (2004, 2012–2018)
Recommended, Industry focus: Environment: litigation, The Legal 500 US (2017–2019)
Recommended, Industry focus: Transport: Rail and Road - Litigation and Regulation, The Legal 500 US (2022)
Recommended, Dispute resolution: Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: toxic tort, The Legal 500 US (2022)
Recommended, Dispute resolution: Product liability, mass tort and class action: automotive/transport; Industry focus: Energy litigation: oil and gas, The Legal 500 US (2016, 2017, 2021)
Recommended, Industry focus: Healthcare: health insurers, The Legal 500 US (2017)
Recognized, Environmental Law, Los Angeles, The Best Lawyers in America (2017–2020, 2022, 2023)
Recognized, Benchmark Litigation Star (2017–2018)
Top 100, California's Leading Lawyers, Daily Journal (2008)
Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
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