Mr. David W. Lauritzen, Private Law Practice

David is a shareholder in the firm's Litigation Section. He is licensed in both Texas and New Mexico, and is admitted to practice before the United States District Courts for the Western and Northern Districts of Texas; United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals; United States Federal Circuit Court of Appeals; and the United States Supreme Court. An Eagle Scout, he volunteers in many civic, church, and charitable activities.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

Federal and State Appeals

David has briefed and argued state appeals regarding claims for civil rights violations, personal injuries, malicious prosecution, and contractual disputes. He has prepared briefs in both state and federal appeals courts, including the United States Supreme Court and the Texas Supreme Court. His briefs have helped resolve disputes over oil and gas contracts, discriminatory employment practices, federal common law restitution claims, substantive due process, probate disputes, and fiduciary duties. Although he does not ordinarily practice criminal law, David is particularly proud of his successful prosecution of a Petition for a Writ of Certiorari to the United States Supreme Court in a death penalty appeal.

Commercial Litigation and Insurance Defense

An active trial attorney, David began his career by defending national insurance companies and their insureds from personal injury claims in both Texas and New Mexico. Although he currently retains a defense docket with respect to bad faith claims and catastrophic personal injury defense, David also devotes much of his trial practice to commercial matters, including contractual disputes, fraud and misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, deceptive trade practices, and employment disputes. David has also successfully defended governmental entities, including municipalities, law enforcement agencies, and school boards from constitutional and employment claims.

Oil and Gas Litigation

David has represented a number of clients in oil and gas matters involving operating agreements, drilling contracts, well service contracts, master service agreements, audit rights, gas purchase agreements, and federal petroleum price control legislation and regulations. He has participated in state and federal court involving federal deregulation, construction and enforcement of operating agreements, operator removal disputes, employment actions, and working interest owner disputes.

EDUCATION

• B.A., Political Science, with Honors, Yale University, 1992 (Soviet Military Theory)
• J.D., The University of Texas School of Law, 1996

At Yale, David received the Berkeley College Fellows Prize and received highest honors on his senior thesis, entitled "A Comparison of Austria and Switzerland as Military Neutrals in a Post-Cold War Europe." In law school, David served as Trial Director for the Board of Advocates and was a member of The University of Texas National Moot Court Team.