David L. Kwass

David L. Kwass, a partner at Saltz, Mongeluzzi, Barrett & Bendesky, PC, focuses his practice on cases involving constructions accidents, crane and aerial lift accidents, equipment tipover accidents, electrical contacts, workplace falls, recreational products, and liquor liability. He is the co-chairman of the Crane and Aerial Lift Litigation Group of the American Association for Justice. His passion for workplace safety and safe product design has resulted in more than 50 separate verdicts and settlements in excess of $1 million. In 2012, he was recognized as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer.

Mr. Kwass is a 1987 graduate of Haverford College, receiving a B.A. with Honors. He earned a Masters degree from Georgetown University (1989), a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1992, and in 2002, a Masters degree with honors in Trial Advocacy from the Temple University School of Law. Mr. Kwass continues his association with Temple's School of Law and its Trial Advocacy Program as an Adjunct Professor of Law, regularly teaching LLM classes, and serving as a judge for mock trials. He has mentored Temple's trial teams on construction and product liability cases, and serves as the Coach of the Strawberry Mansion Mock Trial Team.

Mr. Kwass counts among his greatest successes his pro bono representation of a boy who needed surgery on both hips just to be able to walk. His insurance carrier denied coverage, deeming the femoro-acetabular surgery to be “experimental.” Mr. Kwass brought suit in federal court, and marshaled a substantial body of medical literature to prove that the procedure was both safe and effective. In the fall of 2009, the insurance carrier not only agreed to cover his client’s surgery, but also changed its classification of the surgery, and now provides routine coverage of the surgery for all its subscribers.

Mr. Kwass lectures often to share his knowledge and experience not only with other lawyers, but with safety engineers and construction safety professionals. During the summer of 2008, he was a featured speaker for the National Electrical Contractors Association, Penn-Del-Jersey Chapter, and at the SEAK National Expert Witness Conference. An active author, Mr. Kwass' publishing credits include "Try Opening with a Videotaped Deposition," Trial, Vol. 43 (April 2007) at p. 52; "Proving Your Case With Manufacturer Employee Depositions," Trial, Vol. 42, No. 2 (February 2006) at p. 56; and "Law on Seat Belt Defense Continues to Develop," Andrews Litigation Reporter Automotive, Vol. 24, Issue 15 (1/25/05).

Mr. Kwass is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, the United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Pennsylvania, and the Third, Fourth and Seventh Circuit Courts of Appeals. He is an active member of the American Association for Justice, and the Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Associations. Away from work, Mr. Kwass was a Commissioner of Lower Merion Little League baseball, and coached in the league as well. He is a principal owner of the Tria Fermentation School, a Center City education facility where wine, cheese and beer appreciation classes are taught.