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David W. HowenstineP: (206) 382-1000 Assistant: Teresa Caceres David practices civil litigation with Mills Meyers Swartling, working on cases involving aviation law, employment discrimination, and insurance coverage. Prior to joining the firm, David clerked for the Honorable James L. Robart at the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington in Seattle from 2008 to 2010 and for the Honorable Ernest M. Robles at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles from 2007 to 2008. Outside of work, David can be found exploring local restaurants, reading novels, enjoying trivia night, and spending time with family and friends. |
Practice Areas
Education
- Reed College, B.A., English, 2003
- University of Washington, J.D., with high honors, 2007
- Executive Notes and Comments Editor, Washington Law Review (2006, 2007)
Admitted to Practice
- Washington
- California (inactive)
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
Representative Work
AVIATION - Regularly defend commercial airlines in state and federal court in cases alleging negligence, wrongful death, premises liability, and disability discrimination.
- Defended commercial airline in action by passenger alleging miscellaneous tort claims. Prevailed on summary judgment under the Montreal Convention. Heinemann v. United Air Lines, Inc., 2011 WL 2144603 (W.D. Wash. May 31, 2011).
- Defended commercial airline against negligence, discrimination, and premises liability claim. Successfully removed action to federal court on the basis of complete preemption under the Air Carrier Access Act. Brown v. Alaska Air Group, Inc., 2011 WL 2746251 (E.D. Wash. July 14, 2011).
INSURANCE COVERAGE - Regularly analyze insurance coverage questions on behalf of insureds and insurers, and represent parties in state and federal court in cases involving coverage disputes and bad faith claims handling.
- Defended insurance underwriters in maritime insurance action involving coverage for LHWCA claims and alleged misrepresentations in insurance application.
- Represented insured in coverage dispute with multiple insurers under professional liability and directors and officers liability insurance policies.
COMMERCIAL DISPUTES, EMPLOYMENT LAW, AND GENERAL CIVIL LITIGAITON - Represented plaintiff in employment discrimination action involving discrimination, harassment, and retaliation on the basis of race and gender.
- Represented financial institution in federal interpleader action.
- Defended healthcare professional in action alleging claims for negligence and product liability.
Professional and Community Activities
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES - King County Bar Association (Aviation Section, Bankruptcy Section)
- Washington State Bar Association (Litigation Section)
- American Bar Association (Litigation Section)
- Federal Bar Association, Western District of Washington
- QLaw Bar Association
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES - Seattle LGBT Commission (Commissioner, 2011-Present)
- University of Washington School of Law (Mentor, 2010-Present)
Recent Publications and Speaking Engagements
- SHORT & SWEET: TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE DISCOVERY MOTIONS PRACTICE (PDF Pages 5-6)
Litigation News, Volume 23, No. 2, Summer 2011 - BEYOND RATIONAL RELATIONS: THE CONSTITUTIONAL INFIRMITIES OF ANTI-GAY PARTNERSHIP LAWS UNDER THE EQUAL PROTECTION CLAUSE, 81 Wash. L. Rev. 417 (May 2006)
- THE MYSTERIES OF TRUTH: KNOWLEDGE IN WILKIE COLLINS’ THE WOMAN IN WHITE (2003)
Recognition
- Order of the Coif, 2007
- Paul Ashley Memorial Scholarship for Public Interest Work, 2006 and 2007
- Public Interest Law Association Grant, 2006
Background and Interests
- Law Clerk, Honorable James L. Robart, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, 2008-2010
- Law Clerk, Honorable Ernest M. Robles, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California, 2007-2008