David McDowell is the firm’s Co-Chair of the firm’s Consumer Litigation and Class Actions practice group. He received his A.B. degree, magna cum laude , from Brown University in 1983. He obtained his J.D. in 1986 from the University of Chicago Law School.

Mr. McDowell maintains a complex commercial litigation practice, with a particular focus on unfair business practice issues and consumer class actions. He has, for example, defended numerous putative class action claims against businesses under California Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 17200 and 17500 arising from, among other things, methods of competition, advertising and other promotions, labeling of goods, wage and hour issues, sales tax collection, and credit card terms and conditions. Mr. McDowell also has significant experience defending businesses in general commercial disputes, including prosecuting and defending business tort claims.

Mr. McDowell has tried cases throughout the state, obtaining judgments following trials and arbitrations. For example, in 2003, he was counsel to Mervyn’s in Californians for Disability Rights v. Mervyn’s . Following a four week unfair business practice trial in Alameda Superior Court, the court entered judgment for Mervyn’s. Mr. McDowell has also sought and obtained temporary restraining orders and preliminary and permanent injunctions against businesses and individuals. He has also successfully argued appellate matters, including those involving unfair business practices claims, and defeated class certification.

Mr. McDowell was presented with the 1990 Pro Bono Associate Award by the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles and the 2000 Pro Bono Civil Liberties Award by the ACLU Foundation of Southern California.

Mr. McDowell can be reached at (213) 892-5383 and by e-mail at dmcdowell@mofo.com.