David B.A. Demo
Partner
David has been practicing law for 30 years and has handled a broad range of civil litigation disputes. He began his legal career in Washington, D.C., and in Baltimore, MD, where he handled general commercial litigation and bankruptcy matters, as well as maritime cases.
Since then, David has developed a specialty in insurance law and insurance coverage matters, for claims involving both first-party property losses and third-party liability casualty cases. David has a wealth of experience in insurance policy appraisals and other arbitrations, insurance “bad faith” defense, and complex insurance claims analyses. In addition, he has counseled homeowner associations and their Boards of Directors on a broad range of issues.
Although he enjoys zealously representing clients in the litigation trenches, David also serves as a certified private mediator. In this role, David helps parties resolve disputes using his strong interpersonal skills and talents as a peacemaker.
Bar Admissions
California, 1991
U.S. District Court for District of Maryland
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
U.S. District Court for Central, Eastern and Northern Districts of California
U.S. Court of Appeals for 8th and 9th Circuits
Education
Vanderbilt University (B.A.)
Syracuse University College of Law (J.D.)
Significant Appellate Decisions
Apple Annie, LLC v. Oregon Mutual Ins. Co. (2022) 82 Cal.App.5th 919
Baker v. Oregon Mutual Insurance Company (9th Cir. 2022) 2022 WL 807592
Lee v. California Capital Ins. Co. (2015) 237 Cal.App.4th 1154
CMS Security Inc. v. Burlington Ins. Co (9th Cir. 2011) 434 Fed.Appx. 613
Stanton v. State Farm Fire and Cas. Co. (D.SD. 2001) 169 F.Supp.2d 1109
Bianchi v. State Farm Fire and Cas. Co. (N.D.Cal. 2000) 120 F.2d 837
Complaint and Petition of Big Deal, Inc. (D.Md. 1991) 765 F.Supp. 277
In re Broomall Printing Corp. (Bankr. D.Md. 1991) 131 B.R. 32
Published Articles
“Experts,” Law and Practice of Insurance Coverage Litigation, chapter co-author, West Group & American Bar Association, 2000
“Defective Design Construction and Litigation: Coverage Issues Under First Party Property Insurance Policies,” Insurance Coverage for Defective Construction, chapter co-author, American Bar Association, 1996
Seminars
“Policy Appraisals in California,” 2016
“Mold Claims: Intelligent Strategies for Survival and Evaluating Experts,” Property & Liability Research Bureau (PLRB), Orlando, FL, 2003, and Chicago, IL, 2004
“Preparing Insurance Industry Professionals for Deposition,” XL Insurance, Uncasville, CT, 2003
“Emerging Issues in California Indoor Air Quality and Toxic Mold Litigation,” Faculty Presenter, San Francisco, CA, 2002
“Real Property Insurance Law,” Lecturer, Santa Clara Bar Association, Santa Clara, CA, 2001
“Real Property Insurance Law: The Changing Landscape of Coverage,” CEB Presentation, Sacramento, CA, 2001
Featured Speaker at Program on Insurance Coverage For Defective Construction, American Bar Association, Marina Del Ray, CA, 1998