David J. Chiappelli

David J. Chiappelli has practiced law in the State of Michigan for over 25 years and joined the firm of Donald E. McGinnis, Jr., J.D., P.C. in September, 1999.  Prior to his admission to the State Bar of Michigan, he attended both Michigan State University and Elmira College, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.  David then went on to attend the Detroit College of Law where he graduated Cum Laude earning his Juris Doctorate degree. 

            As David was striving toward reaching his goal of academic excellence, he was also heavily involved in both the sports and music entertainment industries.  He played varsity ice hockey at Michigan State University, winning a number of league championships and a national championship in 1985 - 1986.  David also participated in the varsity ice hockey program at Elmira College and earned another trip to the national championship series with this team.  David was recognized on the academic and athletic elite honor roll and nominated Academic All American in his sport.

            At the conclusion of his collegiate academic career, David seized the opportunity to play professional ice hockey in Germany.  While living in Germany, he also assisted in the role of clerk/interpreter at the international law offices of respected German attorney, Joseph Beisenkotter.  It was at this time he created a Conversational English Program for students within the city in which he participated, thus becoming fluent in both conversational German and German studies.

            Upon leaving the sporting world and returning to the United States, David gained employment with Hamstein Publishing, Inc., a division of Lone Wolf Management Company based in Austin, Texas.  His employer was music business titan Bill Ham, the founding manager of music legends ZZ Top and Clint Black, among others.  David became their contract and copyright administrator, drafting songwriter and publishing agreements, as well as the creation and protection of their copyrights filed with the U.S. Government.

            With the influence of both sports and music business law under his belt, David returned to Michigan where he began his law school endeavor and clerked for the Honorable Edward Sosnick, Chief Judge Pro Tem of the 6th Judicial Circuit Court.  He later went on to clerk for the Honorable William E. Bolle, Chief Judge of the 52nd District Courts, with jurisdictions encompassing Troy, Rochester, Clarkston and Novi.  While working as a clerk at both circuit and district court levels, he gained valuable knowledge and experience, as well as the respect and friendships of judges and prosecutors throughout the legal system.  His years of courtroom experience have provided him with the insight of how to find success in each case.   

            David has concentrated his practice in the broad spectrum of felony and misdemeanor criminal defense law and specializes in driver’s license restoration.  David has amassed great expertise and exceptional knowledge throughout the courts of Southeast Michigan in the areas of OWIs and its companion issues such as driver's license restoration, expungements, retail fraud, drug related offenses, violation of probation, domestic violence, larceny, juvenile law and traffic offenses. 

            David has a noted reputation of winning driver’s license restoration and appellate cases through the circuit court and with the Michigan Department of State – Driver License Appeal Division.  He represents those whose licenses have been suspended, revoked or denied due to various reasons including, but not limited to, criminal activity, drinking and driving convictions or excessive points accumulation.  This has not gone unnoticed to other attorneys in the legal community as they routinely refer their clients to David because of his considerable experience and success in handling cases.