David L. Monroe
Attorney at Law
David L. Monroe is senior trial counsel at Rafii & Nazarian, LLP. David began his career as a plaintiffs’ trial attorney in Texas in 1987. As a plaintiffs’ trial attorney David has extensive experience in personal injury matters, consumer rights matters, and major complex business litigation in both state and federal courts. David has tried over 40 jury trials with over $50 million in jury awards, including breach of contract, fraud, defamation, business disparagement, breach of fiduciary duties, nuisance, race discrimination, premises liability, products liability, medical malpractice, oil and gas, affirmative action rights, bankruptcy, and insurance coverage. David has secured more than 10 multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for his clients throught the country.
Client advocacy is my top priority. I have tried over 40 jury trials with over $50 million in jury awards.
In 1996, David secured an $18.2 million verdict in Houston federal court in the case of Trinh vs. Circle K which was recognized as “the largest race discrimination verdict in U.S. history” at the time under the Civil Rights Act of 1991. David has handled all aspects of appeals and has consulted with start-ups on employment, financing and intellectual property issues. Throughout his career, David has been recognized for his client advocacy skills and dedication to excellence.
Representative Verdicts and Settlements
Binh Trinh, et al v. Circle K – Race discrimination
Trial for 4 Vietnamese (of 16 clients) systematically fired. $18.2 MM verdict. U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas.
Hypernet, Inc. v. Raushcer Pierce Refsnes – Fraudulent breach of contract $10.5 MM verdict Knox v. Taylor, 992 S.W.2d 40 (Tex. App. – Houston [14th Dist.] 1999, no writ) – Business libel, tortious interference with contract $3.65 MM verdict. Texas DOT v. Able, 981 S.W.2d 765 (Tex. App. – Houston [1st Dist.] 1998), aff’d, 35 S.W.3d 608 (Tex. 2000) – Wrongful death case
Head-on collision in an H.O.V. lane, sued governmental entities. $2.7 MM verdict. Joint enterprise liability disputed on appeal. Shiflett v. First Bank & FDIC – Breach of contract and fraud $5.2 MM verdict. U.S. District Judge Sim Lake referred to this as the most complex jury charge he ever gave a civil jury, 56 questions all answered in favor of Shiflett.
Monroe v. Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, 268 Ga. App. 659, 602 S.E.2d 219, writ of cert. denied (2004) – Breach of contract and fiduciary duties
Breach of contract and fiduciary duties of healthcare plan and its managers, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia and CostCare, by virtue of wrongful denial of nursing home healthcare.
Calderone v. Apple, Inc. (2012) Represented a California individual whose home was searched by Apple security for a missing prototype to a confidential resolution.
Market Portwall, L.P. v. Chemcentral Corp. (2012)
Underground water and chemical contaminants leaked from chemical facility onto adjacent land, causing loss of value on sale of land. Obtained settlement of full loss for client after defeating summary judgment.
Tri-Coastal Trading v. Argentum Investments (2014) Represented a Houston third-party defendant company added several months before trial, and upon filing a cross complaint for business disparagement, obtained a settlement prior to trial.
Professional Associations
Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles
San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association
Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom
Human Rights Campaign Federal Club
Admissions
California State Bar
Texas State Bar
U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
U.S. District Court, Central District of California
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals
United States Supreme Court
Education
University of Houston School of Law, Houston, Texas
Magna Cum Laude, Order of the Coif, Order of the Barons
University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa Society
