Attorneys

David Shuster David Shuster

David J. Shuster

Principal
410-347-7404410-361-8229
dshuster@kg-law.com
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Biography

“Consistently recognized by leading legal ranking guides, including Chambers USA, Benchmark Litigation, and Best Lawyers for Bet-the-Company Litigation. Chambers sources say, 'If there is evidence to find, he will find it. He is very smart and capable.' 'Dave has excellent trial skills and judgment.' He is 'a great strategic thinker.'”

David Shuster is a trial lawyer and the firm's President and Managing Principal. He represents clients in high-stakes business and real estate litigation matters. In highly sensitive matters where reputation management is crucial, Dave has particular experience representing professionals and prominent members of the community. He values the relationships that are developed and the diverse legal challenges that are presented in a varied law practice. He enjoys and excels at being a trusted advisor to clients who are confronted with uniquely complex legal challenges.

Dave has substantial experience representing commercial plaintiffs in large collection and asset-recovery claims, including for concealment of assets by alter-ego entities. He also represents clients in claims involving fatalities and catastrophic injuries, including product liability and medical malpractice claims and claims arising out of automobile and cycling accidents. In his plaintiff's practice, Dave has recovered millions of dollars for his clients.

A permanent member of the Judicial Conference for the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, Dave is distinguished for his integrity, courtroom achievements, and community involvement. According to the leading legal research guide Chambers USA, Dave has "great vision and is a wonderful strategic thinker." He is "a particularly strong lawyer."


Recognition

Selected for Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, since inaugural edition 2022

Selected for inclusion in Chambers USA, Commercial Litigation, Maryland, since 2021

Recipient, Maryland Leadership in Law Award, The Daily Record, 2021

Recipient, Influential Marylanders Award, The Daily Record, 2021

Recognized in Benchmark Litigation, "Local Litigation Star," Commercial Litigation, Construction Litigation, Real Estate Litigation, Personal Injury, since 2020

Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, since 2018


Service

Court of Appeals of Maryland Sixth Appellate Circuit, Character Committee

Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, Board of Directors

JDRF Maryland Chapter, former Board Member

Casey Cares Foundation, Advisory Board

The Wranglers, Member, past President


Memberships

American Bar Association

Bar Association of Baltimore City

Baltimore County Bar Association

Maryland Bar Foundation, Fellow

Maryland State Bar Association, Member, Section of Litigation; Co-Chair, Managing Partners Group

Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference, Permanent Member


Events

Co-presenter, "Rule 30(b)(6) Depositions: Myth Busting," Maryland State Bar Association Legal Summit & Annual Meeting, MSBA, 2022

Co-presenter, "The Managing Partners Forum," Coffee Chat with MSBA President Hon. Mark F. Scurti, Maryland State Bar Association, 2021

Presenter, "Leadership in Law," University of Baltimore School of Law, 2020

Co-presenter, "Spoiling for a Fight -- Preventing, Spotting and Addressing ESI Destruction," Maryland State Bar Association Annual Meeting, MSBA, 2017

Presenter, "Introduction to Federal Practice," Maryland Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, U.S. District Courthouse, Greenbelt, Maryland, 2016

Presenter, "A Legal Primer for Cyclists," Bikemore, 2016

Presenter, “Defending with Reservations: Practical and Ethical Considerations,” American Bar Association Standing Committee on Lawyers' Professional Liability, Spring Conference, 2015

Presenter, "Do's and Don'ts of Expert Testimony," Annual Forensic Valuation Conference of the Maryland Association of CPAs (MACPA), 2015

Co-presenter, "Lessons Learned from Breach of Contract Claims," Association of Corporate Counsel, Baltimore Chapter, 2015

Instructor, Court of Appeals' Professionalism Course for New Admittees of the Maryland Bar, 2011, 2012, 2014, Annapolis, Maryland

Presenter, "Forensic Testimony: Avoiding Common Pitfalls," Annual Forensic Valuation Conference of the Maryland Association of CPAs (MACPA), 2014

Co-presenter, "Appeals -- What In-House Counsel Need to Know," Association of Corporate Counsel, Baltimore Chapter, 2014

Panelist, "Introduction to Federal Practice Program,” Southern Division of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, 2014

Presenter, "Corporate Designee Depositions: A Primer for In-House Counsel," Association of Corporate Counsel, Baltimore Chapter, 2013

Presenter, "How to Be a Successful Expert Witness," Business Valuation Conference, Maryland Association of CPAs (MACPA), 2013

Presenter, "Introduction to Advocacy Course," University of Baltimore School of Law, 2013

Presenter, "Anatomy of a Complex Deposition," Bar Association of Frederick County, 2013

Panelist, "Trials and Tribulations: Baltimore's Top Attorneys Address a CEO's Legal Fears," Baltimore Smart CEO Magazine, 2012


Publications

Author, "Corporate Designee Depositions: A Primer for Maryland Practitioners," Maryland State Bar Association, Legal Summit & Annual Meeting, 2022

Co-author, "Spoiling For A Fight: An Overview Of Spoliation of ESI," American Bar Association, Section of Litigation & Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division CLE Conference, 2019

Co-author, "Litigating Against Bad Debtors: Protecting Against the Spoliation of ESI," American Bankruptcy Trustee Journal, 2017

Author, "Corporate Designee Depositions: A Primer for In-House Counsel," 2013

Author of many articles published in Cold Facts, the monthly publication of the Heating & Air Conditioning Contractors of Maryland (formerly known as Air Conditioning Contractors of America -- Maryland Chapter), including:

"Tech Commute Time: Are Wages owed?," March 2014

"Maryland's Trust Fund Statute," January 2011

"Modifying Written Contracts by Conduct," March 2010

"Liquidated Damages Clauses," April 2009

"How a Slow Economy Affects Legal Disputes," January 2009

"The Power of an Apology," October 2008

"Prejudgment Interest: A Contractual Necessity?," August 2008

"The Battle of the Checks," April 2008

"The Consumer Protection Act," February 2008

"The Law Promotes Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design," December 2007

"Legislative Responses to Mold Litigation," November 2007

"Improving Your Chances for Winning a Case," October 2007

"The Risks of Unauthorized Substitution of Materials and Equipment," August 2007

"Employment agreements," July 2007

"A Rational Approach to Settlements," May 2007

"Steps to Take to Resolve Disputes with Customers," March 2007

"HVAC Warranties: Issues to Consider," February 2007

"Obtaining a Mechanic's Lien: The Basics," June 2006

"Overview of the Civil Court System in Maryland," May 2006

"Arbitration Clauses: Friend or Foe?," April 2006

"Legal Pitfalls of Erroneous Bids," January 2006

"Contracting With New Home Builders: Things to Think About," December 2005

"Is Self-Help Repossession a Realistic Collection Tool?," April 2003


Outside the Office

Growing up playing ice hockey, Dave has coached his sons' youth and high school hockey teams and enjoys playing in area adult hockey leagues. He is a dedicated cyclist and has completed many century (100+ miles) rides. Along with several other colleagues at the firm, Dave organizes the firm’s annual "Ride to the Tide" – a 125-mile bicycle ride from the firm's office building to the Maryland State Bar Association's Annual Meeting in Ocean City, Maryland. Over the years, cyclists in the Ride to the Tide have included the firm's lawyers and summer associates, clients, local attorneys, judges, and other friends of the firm.

Representative Matters

Successful Settlements of Injury Claims

Products Liability

Secured favorable settlements for several claimants alleging injuries from pharmaceutical products.

Secured favorable settlement for an operator of industrial equipment who sustained serious personal injuries.

Auto accidents

Secured favorable settlement for an adult driver and minor passengers hit by an oncoming vehicle.

Secured favorable settlement for the back-seat passenger of a vehicle that was rear-ended on the highway.

Secured favorable settlement for a pedestrian who was hit by an automobile in a parking lot.

Secured favorable settlement for an adult driver and minor passengers hit by an oncoming car.

Secured favorable settlement for a passenger of a for-hire vehicle.

Secured favorable settlement for a pedestrian who was fatally injured by a vehicle.

Secured favorable settlement for a cyclist hit by a vehicle.

Secured favorable settlement for a driver and passenger who were hit by vehicle that ran a red light.

Secured favorable settlement for a professional athlete in a rear-end collision.

Slip and Fall

Secured favorable settlement of a slip-and-fall claim (office building).

Secured favorable settlement of a slip-and-fall claim (commercial building).

Secured favorable settlement of a slip-and-fall claim (independent restaurant).

Secured favorable settlement of a slip-and-fall claim (store).

Secured favorable settlement of a slip-and-fall claim (chain restaurant).

Secured favorable settlement of a slip-and-fall (bus).

Medical Malpractice

Secured favorable settlement for a patient of a gynecologic procedure.

Secured favorable settlement for a patient of an ophthalmology procedure.

Secured favorable settlement for a patient of orthopedic procedure.

Secured favorable settlement for a patient who developed complications following a post-operative infection.

Secured favorable settlement for a patient who developed complications following a colonoscopy.

Secured favorable settlement for a patient who developed complications from a tumor.

Litigation

Professionals / High-Level Executives / Business Principals

Represented the plaintiff in Keyes Law Firm LLC vs. Napoli Bern Ripka Shkolnik LLP et al., U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, a federal lawsuit against a national law firm and a network of related firms, seeking to recover plaintiff's share of fees from personal injury recoveries on behalf of more than 2,100 underlying injury clients. After successfully overcoming defendants' motions to dismiss and for summary judgment and obtaining summary judgment in plaintiff's favor on two key liability issues against certain defendants, the matter proceeded to a two-week jury trial in December 2019, where the jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff. Judgment (including prejudgment interest) totaled nearly $1 million, in addition to hundreds of thousands recovered during the course of the action. Kramon & Graham was successful in establishing alter-ego/veil-piercing liability. In addition, earlier in the case, Kramon & Graham and its client obtained an award of attorneys' fees and costs totaling $316,873.47 as a sanction for defendants' discovery violations. After hearing oral argument, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the judgment with one exception relating to the applicable post-judgment interest rate.

Legal malpractice claims. Represented various lawyers and law firms in legal malpractice actions and in matters involving allegations of professional misconduct. Successes include obtaining summary judgment on behalf of a law firm in a malpractice case filed by the firm's former client who alleged malpractice in connection with a commercial transaction.

Lender liability claims. Represented various lending industry parties (e.g., loan brokerage company, in-house counsel, and loan officers) in cases involving claims of lender-liability and wrongdoing in connection with the issuance, underwriting, and collateralization of commercial and residential loans. Successes include defeating loan guarantor's efforts to enjoin lender's collection and execution proceedings.

Dispute between principals of land development venture. Successfully represented a client against his partner in a dispute concerning a land-development project. The client's partner filed suit seeking reimbursement of investment payments and the re-titling of real estate. The client filed a counterclaim. The court granted summary judgment for the client and against the client's partner on the partner's complaint, and the client obtained a money judgment against the partner on the client's counterclaim.

Construction / Real Estate

Represented a residential homebuilder in OT, LLC, et al. v. Harford County, et al., United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Case No. 1:17-cv-02812-SAG, a high-profile religious discrimination lawsuit against Harford County, Maryland, its County Executive, other County officials, and two Maryland state legislators. In the underlying transaction, the homebuilder agreed to build and sell houses to be purchased by several members of the Muslim community. The project became subject to an anti-Muslim campaign led by local citizens who were opposed to the project. Harford County stopped issuing building permits for the residential subdivision and refused to approve use and occupancy permits for houses that had been constructed. The homebuilder and an entity associated with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community brought suit asserting federal discrimination claims and other claims for relief. After a one-week evidentiary hearing, the federal court granted a preliminary injunction in favor of Kramon & Graham's client compelling the County to issue permits for the homes that had so far been constructed. Before the matter proceeded to a jury trial, a settlement was reached resulting in a payment of $4.95 million to the plaintiffs and agreements for the resumption of the project.

Recovery of Commercial Real Estate Commissions. Represented a commercial real estate brokerage company that filed suit to recover commissions in connection with the sale of a multi-million dollar high-rise office building. Despite the absence of a formal written agreement between the parties, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the broker after a multi-day jury trial; the case resolved during the subsequent appeal.

Property Boundary Dispute. Successfully defended a regional homebuilder at trial in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware in and for Sussex County. The lawsuit alleged that a section of a residential subdivision was not constructed in accordance with county-approved development plans and, as a result, the placement of a road and related utilities encroached on residential lots. The court declined to award the any of the remedies sought by the plaintiff.

Property Boundary Dispute. Obtained dismissal of a lawsuit filed in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County against a regional homebuilder in a suit alleging that residential lots encroached on a public right of way.

Construction Dispute. Successfully represented at trial and on appeal a general contractor against a subcontractor that withdrew from a fast-track public construction project before the parties entered into a formal written contract. Shortly before the subcontractor's work was to commence, the sub notified the GC that the sub would not proceed, which forced the GC to hire a substitute subcontractor at a substantially higher price. Despite the absence of a formal written contract between the parties, the jury returned a verdict for the GC for an amount that represented the difference between the sub's original price and the replacement sub's higher price. Following the multi-day jury trial in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County, the subcontractor appealed; the judgment was affirmed on appeal.

Construction Dispute. Successfully represented an EIFS/Stucco subcontractor in an arbitration filed against a general contractor and project owner. The owner alleged that it was not obligated to pay the subcontractor because the building had water-intrusion problems caused, allegedly, by the improper installation of the exterior stucco system. The arbitrator rejected that defense, and issued a monetary award in favor of the client.

Landlord-Tenant Dispute. Successfully represented a retired professional athlete in a suit brought by a current professional athlete concerning damage to a rental property. In a bench trial, the judge returned a verdict in favor of the client.

Professional Disability Insurance

Successfully represented a physician in a federal lawsuit filed by his disability insurance company. The insurer alleged that the physician's injury was not accidental and, therefore, the insurer was defrauded into paying monthly disability insurance benefits. The insurer sought the return of the disability benefits that had been paid and the physician sought a determination that the injury was accidental. Given the amount of the monthly benefits and the number of years remaining on the policies, the physician's claim was substantial. After a multi-day jury trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the physician. At the conclusion of the matter, the insurance company paid a substantial amount for the physician's attorneys' fees.

Appeals

Successfully represented the manufacturer of an asbestos-containing product in an appeal in the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland. The plaintiff obtained a multi-million jury award against the client at the circuit court level. The Court of Special Appeals reversed the jury's verdict and remanded the case for a new trial, finding that the circuit court erred in connection with several pretrial procedural rulings that prejudiced the defendant's ability to defend the claim.

Successfully represented a general contractor (appellee) on an appeal by a subcontractor (appellant) from a money judgment against the subcontractor for abandoning a fast-track public construction project. Court of Special Appeals rejected all of appellant's appeal points, and affirmed the jury's award in its entirety.

Successfully represented a real-estate development and construction company (appellee) on an appeal by a contractor (appellant) from a defense verdict in a collection action. At trial, the contractor argued that the client owed the contractor money for construction services performed in the build-out of an office building. The Court of Special Appeals rejected all of appellant's appeal points, and affirmed the judgment in favor of the client.

Condominium Litigation

Successfully handled a number of disputes for condominium unit owners against developers, builders, and condominium associations

Debtor-Creditor / Asset Recovery

As special litigation counsel to the Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Trustee, successfully argued before the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland in Schlossberg, Chapter 11 Trustee v. Vincent Abell et al., Adversary Proceeding No.: 14-00417-TJC, that spoliation by the defendants was so egregious that terminating sanctions were justified. The Court entered a judgment that effectively required the turnover of scores of properties and bank accounts to the firm's client. The case is significant both for its use of the continuing concealment doctrine in the recovery of assets and for the Court's opinion on spoliation, which provides the latest, most comprehensive judicial discussion of sanctions for the destruction of ESI.

Served as special litigation counsel to bankruptcy trustees in two related adversary proceedings seeking the recovery of assets from affiliates and family members of two individual debtors pursuant to fraudulent conveyance and continuing concealment claims. Successfully transferred the action from the bankruptcy court to the U.S. District Court and successfully opposed the defendants' motion to strike the trustees' request for a jury trial. Successfully opposed the defendants' motion to dismiss and, thereafter, procured a court-approved settlement pursuant to which defendants paid $1.6 million into the bankruptcy estate.

Represented lead creditor in bankruptcy action to pursue debtor/construction company's claims for payment against national retailer for fees owed in connection with build-outs of retail stores across the country. Achieved favorable settlement for bankruptcy estate.

Represented a commercial judgment creditor in post-judgment collection proceedings against a commercial judgment debtor. In another federal district, the judgment creditor obtained a $1 million judgment against a Maryland company. As a result of successful collection efforts, the debtor posted a letter of credit that fully secured the judgment pending the appeal.

Local Counsel

Dave routinely serves as local counsel in Maryland state courts and in the federal courts within the District of Maryland. In his capacity as local counsel, he has worked with many national and regional lead-counsel firms. References for local counsel engagements are available upon request.

Podcasts

News

Publications

Events

Recognition

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