David Donahue: Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C.

Overview

David Donahue’s primary goals as an attorney are to provide top tier legal service and aggressive advocacy within a cost-effective and common sense approach. For David, making the jobs of his clients easier, by being accessible, providing timely updates and offering sound legal advice form an important part of achieving those goals.

In other words, providing top tier legal service means, above all, “no surprises” and “no drama.” And providing top tier legal service in a cost-effective and common sense manner means, rather than taking a one size fits all approach, each matter is evaluated, staffed and handled based upon its unique facts and circumstances in order to create maximum value for the client.

For over 20 years, insurance and financial service companies have trusted David to represent them in high stakes matters filed all over the country. He is a member of the Association of Life Insurance Counsel and is a frequent speaker on insurance industry trends and litigation topics. David’s expertise and experience in insurance and financial services matters has been regularly recognized by his peers.

David grew up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama with people from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances. This life experience taught him not only the value of hard work but also the importance of giving back to the community. To that end, David regularly represents clients in pro bono matters through Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham. He also represents unaccompanied children in immigration matters. In addition to pro bono representation, David has served on the Board of Directions of the Literacy Council of Central Alabama and Red Mountain Theatre Company. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Opera Birmingham.

Awards & Accolades

Selected to the list of Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent lawyers
Selected to the list of the Mid-South Super Lawyers, 2012-2018,2024

Recognized in the Birmingham Magazine's "Top Attorneys" list, 2016
Included in the list of the Best Lawyers in America^®, 2018-2025

No aspect of this or any advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. A description of the award methodologies can be found here.

Experience

Obtained favorable verdict for private equity company in October 2021 jury trial in Northern District of Texas on breach of contract and quantum meruit claims related to investor placement fee brought by placement agent.
Obtained complete defense verdict for major life insurance company in September 2019 jury trial in Southern District of Texas on breach of contract and bad faith claims involving contestable life insurance policy.
Successfully argued appeal before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in 2018 to obtain reversal of decision by the Northern District of California overturning arbitration award on the basis of “evident partiality.”
Recently obtained a “zero award” on behalf of a major life insurance company following two week arbitration involving claims of breach of contract and tortuous interference with business relationship brought by a large independent insurance agency.
Currently representing the City of Birmingham, Alabama in several sales and use tax litigation matters involving allegations of discriminatory taxation.
Represented several property insurers and managed large docket of first party property claim matters filed throughout Florida.

Obtained favorable settlement in RICO class action recently filed in the Northern District of Alabama involving sale of limited benefit medical insurance.
Obtained summary judgment in $5M life insurance reinstatement case involving a life settlement filed in the Central District of California. The decision was recently affirmed by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Obtained summary judgment in $5M life insurance reinstatement case involving a life settlement filed in the District of Colorado.
Obtained defense verdict in bad faith claim involving credit life insurance policy in case filed in Raleigh County, West Virginia.
In one of the first favorable cases for the insurance industry, obtained summary judgment in multi-million dollar stranger owned life insurance case filed in the Northern District of Georgia. The decision was later affirmed by the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
Achieved favorable legal precedent for life insurance industry in stranger owned life insurance matter filed in the Northern District of Indiana by obtaining ruling allowing company to dispute claim made after the policies contestability period on basis of lack of insurable interest.
Obtained dismissal of two putative class actions pending in Alabama and Mississippi related to premiums charged for cancer indemnity policies.
Obtained dismissal of putative class action filed in the Middle District of Alabama involving rates charged for property insurance policies.