David Jean Kaloyanides

Both in professional and private life, Mr. Kaloyanides is a strong opponent to the death penalty, and works both in law practice and in non-law organizations to bring an end to this ultimate sanction for criminal conduct.

"The death penalty is the ultimate punishment, and the only punishment that cannot be corrected," Kaloyanides says.  "Recent experience has demonstrated that the government makes mistakes and too many people have been wrongly convicted.  There is no turning back after an execution."

"But more than that, the death penalty has shown not to serve any true penal interest other than retribution.  It does not act as a deterrent.  The United States is the only developed country in the world that still uses the death penalty.  As a society, our criminal justice system should be better than that.  It should be a system of punishment and rehabilitation, not vengeance."

Outside of the law, Mr. Kaloyanides is an avid martial arts student, studying the mixed martial arts system of Grand Master Shi Han Sensei Louis D. Casamassa's Red Dragon Karate.  Mr. Kaloyanides studies under the tutelage of Yon Dan Sensei William Anderson.

"The foundational principle of the martial arts is peace.  There is an old saying that in karate that we must have 'mind like water'.  In life, as in our art form, we must have a mindset to respond to circumstances proportionally and decisively, as water responds to anything that interacts with it.  Undisturbed, water is placid.  Disturbed, it responds only as necessary and as efficiently to return to its peaceful state."

"Our martial arts philosophy is derived in part from ancient Chinese folklore and the legend of the Red Dragon.  Many different dragons protected and helped the common people in various walks of life.  But it was the Red Dragon that was the most powerful and fierce of all dragons, and always came to the aid of the people to protect them against evil and oppression."

"It's not much different that what I do as a criminal defense lawyer.  I stand up for those society would rather throw away.  But our Constitution protects the least in society against the over-reaching and too often excess of the government in seeking to take one's liberty."

"But most of all, studying and practicing the martial arts is great fun."

Mr. Kaloyanides also enjoys the less strenous activity of wine tasting, hosting exclusive wine tastings with close friends.

"Some people have investment clubs.  We host wine tasting parties.  This has expanded to premier vodka and classic single malt scotch.  And at the end of the quarter, we never worry about whether we have lost money."

"I'm a criminal defense lawyer and martial artist who enjoys wine, skiing and sailng," Kaloyanides laughs.  "So what does that say about me?"