David represented communications entities for more than 30 years, developing particular skill in cable television and telecommunications law. He served as primary counsel in a number of significant litigations involving telecommunications law, including successful challenges to municipal and state regulation of the cable television industry and telephony issues.

David was highly knowledgeable about the economics of professional sports. He represented sports teams in media contracts and professional athletes in contract negotiations and was a former part owner of the Milwaukee Brewers. In addition, he had significant experience with college sports.

He served as a member of the firm’s Management Committee from 1993 to 2002. For more than 10 years, David was selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America©, and in 2009 he was recognized as a leader in “Bet‑the‑Company” Litigation in Madison by The Best Lawyers in America©. He was also selected for inclusion in the 2006 and 2007 Wisconsin Super Lawyers® lists and was ranked by Chambers USA as one of the top mergers and acquisitions lawyers in the state of Wisconsin from 2007 to 2009. He was named 2010 Madison Corporate Lawyer of the Year and 2012 Madison Bet‑the‑Company Litigation Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers in America©. Based on exhaustive peer‑review surveys, attorneys honored as “Lawyers of the Year” received particularly high ratings for their abilities, professionalism, and integrity. In recognition of his experience, David was Peer Review Rated AV® Preeminent™, the highest performance rating in Martindale‑Hubbell’s peer review rating system.

David also had extensive estate planning experience and counseled clients and families on business succession and wealth management and transfer. He counseled and represented business clients in all phases of business activity, including the restructuring of reorganized entities.

David served as a member of the board of directors of National Guardian Life Insurance Company and Thompson Investment Management, Inc. He served on the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents from 2002 to 2015 and served as its president from 2005 to 2006. He also chaired the University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics Authority from 2007 to 2015.

David received his bachelor’s degree, with honors, in 1965 from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and received the Distinguished Business Alumnus Award from the University’s School of Business in 1997. He received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2010. His J.D. degree was conferred in 1970 by Harvard Law School. David served as an officer in the United States Navy from 1965 to 1967 and was a Vietnam veteran.