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David J. Darnell is an experienced trial attorney who helps clients win. He specializes in business, contract and commercial matters, as well as disputes involving corporate governance, fiduciary duties, fraud and other tortious conduct.
Mr. Darnell was born and raised in southern California. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara, where he majored in Communications and Environmental Studies. He then earned his J.D. at Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles, where he participated in the Southwestern Moot Court Honors Program and was a member of its Board of Governors.
Mr. Darnell is an accomplished advocate with both the pen and in open court. In fact, his skills were acknowledged early in his legal career in the 1999 National Moot Court Competition, where he won the prestigious Best Brief award and was a Semi-Finalist in oral argument.
As a professional, his counsel has led to significant favorable results for clients in jury and bench trials, arbitrations and mediations. One case in particular involved the defense of a multi-million dollar claim in a 6 week jury trial, which resulted in a monetary award to his client who was only a defendant in the action. He has also obtained numerous seven and eight figure recoveries for clients on the plaintiffs side of the bar. Some recent cases include:
• In February 2012, Mr. Darnell obtained a $15.5 million settlement for his client in a case involving claims of illegal dividends and breach of fiduciary duty against corporate officers and directors.
• In May 2011, a federal jury returned a unanimous $731,450 verdict for Mr. Darnell’s client. Through post-trial motions, Mr. Darnell caused his client to be awarded attorney’s fees, expert fees and costs in the amount of $324,407, resulting in a total judgment of $1,055,857.
• In January 2011, Mr. Darnell brokered a very favorable settlement for his clients who were defendants in a wrongful death action arising out of unfortunate circumstances and presenting substantial risks of losing everything. The settlement avoided these risks and brought closure to an emotionally charged lawsuit.
• In August 2010, the court granted Mr. Darnell’s motion to dismiss a case against his clients involving alleged constitutional and due process violations.
• In July 2010, Mr. Darnell won a $695,000 arbitration award for his client in a breach of contract case.
Mr. Darnell was recognized as a 2012 Southern California Rising Star by Super Lawyers, which is a peer nominated honor bestowed on the best attorneys in the state who are 40 or under or who have been practicing for 10 years or less.
Mr. Darnell is an active member of the California state bar and is licensed to appear and try cases before every state court in California, as well as the United States District Court for the Southern, Central, Eastern and Northern Districts of California.
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Verdicts & Settlements
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