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David W. HowenstineP: (206) 382-1000 Assistant: Teresa Caceres David Howenstine’s practice focuses on insurance coverage, aviation law, tort defense, employment law, and general commercial disputes. Prior to joining Mills Meyers Swartling, David clerked for the Honorable James L. Robart of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington and for the Honorable Ernest M. Robles at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California. 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)
- Order of the Coif
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
- 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).
- 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.
- 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
- King County Bar Association (Aviation Section, Bankruptcy Section)
- Washington State Bar Association (Litigation Section)
- WSBA Leadership Institute (2012 Fellow)
- American Bar Association (Litigation Section)
- Federal Bar Association, Western District of Washington
- QLaw Bar Association
- Seattle LGBT Commission (Co-Chair & 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
- 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