David Koehler

• Served as trial captain for multi-week products liability jury trial, defending claims that exposure to the client's herbicide caused the plaintiff to develop non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, resulting in a defense verdict on all counts
• Serving as work-up counsel for AFFF manufacturer in MDL personal injury cases alleging that exposure to PFAS in drinking water caused plaintiffs to develop various forms of cancer.
• Serving as work-up counsel for manufacturer of forced-air warming blanket in products liability lawsuits alleging that the product caused periprosthetic joint infections in hip and knee replacement surgeries
• Served as trial counsel and obtained verdicts in clients' favor in state and federal jury and bench trials in commercial disputes and suits alleging negligence, breach of contract, malicious prosecution, abuse of process and excessive force
• Defended and successfully resolved suits against numerous corporations, retailers, hospitals, and pharmacies alleging personal injury, negligence, breach of contract and intentional tort
• Served as member of trial preparation team in consolidated proceedings involving claims against a manufacturer of Class III contraceptive device, including preparation of witnesses, exhibits and pre-trial motion practice
• Served as member of work-up counsel team in MDL involving claims against manufacturer of an anticoagulant medication, including depositions of plaintiffs, case evaluation and selection
• Served on defense team for multinational energy and industrial contractor in lawsuit alleging catastrophic accident, wrongful death and personal injury arising from incident at Arkansas nuclear power plant
• Represented individuals and small businesses in suits alleging professional malpractice, negligence, and breach of contract, including claims against physicians, hospitals, insurance agents, and forestry and agricultural consultants
• Coordinated large-scale discovery and e-discovery projects in trademark infringement litigation
• Represented multiple national insurance carriers in class action and complex declaratory judgment litigation, including suit seeking coverage of US $25 million oil refinery fire and class action related to insurer’s handling of med pay and PIP subrogation under the Arkansas made whole doctrine
• Defended state officers and quasi-public hospitals and other entities in defense of Freedom of Information Act litigation

David is part of a team from DLA Piper, public interest firms, and legal-advocacy organizations pursuing a federal court class action lawsuit alleging that the State of Georgia has discriminated against thousands of public school students with disabilities by providing them with a separate and unequal education via the State's Georgia Network for Educational and Therapeutic Supports Program (GNETS). The complaint, filed in United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, alleges that the State, in denying GNETS students the opportunity to be educated with their non-disabled peers in neighborhood schools, violates the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

In Arkansas, David has represented multiple prisoners in civil rights actions in federal court. In 2017, he successfully first-chaired a multi-day federal jury trial on behalf of a prisoner asserting claims of excessive force. As a member of the Volunteers’ Organization, Center for Arkansas Legal Services (VOCALS), David regularly assists clients in obtaining guardianships over minor children and disabled adults and in sealing the criminal records of misdemeanor offenders who have complied with statutory requirements, to aid in their ability to apply for jobs and housing. He has assisted veterans seeking a military discharge upgrade or correction through the National Veterans Legal Services Program discharge upgrade initiative. David has investigated the constitutionality of the fines and fees practices of county district court judges in Arkansas in conjunction with the Lawyers Committee on Civil Rights Under Law.

David is co-chair of the recruitment and governance committee of the Friends of Little Rock Public Radio Board, an advisory organization supporting Little Rock Public Radio, central Arkansas's NPR member station, the mission of which is to deepen insight into the human experience, empower decision-making, and enrich the lives of those it serves through quality news and cultural programs. David is a former vice-chairman of the Board of Directors of the Wolfe Street Foundation, which provides a home for drug and alcohol abuse recovery meetings in Central Arkansas and offers support services for individuals and families seeking a way out of the cycle of drug and alcohol addiction.

Member, International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)

• Arkansas Bar Association
• Pulaski County Bar Association
• William R. Overton Inn of Court
• VOCALS (Volunteer Organization, Center for Arkansas Legal Services)
• Executive Committee, Friends of Little Rock Public Radio
• Board of Directors and Executive Committee, Wolfe Street Foundation (2019-2023)
• Board of Directors, University of Arkansas Lambda Chi Alpha Housing Corporation (2016-2022)
• Assistant Coach of Mock Trial Team, Catholic High School for Boys and Mount St. Mary Academy (2015-2017)
• President and Founding Member, Catholic High School for Boys Young Alumni Board (2015-2018)