David M. Gottfried

David M. Gottfried

5.0
Rating: 9.5

Licensed for 36 years

Litigation Lawyer at Austin, TX
Practice Areas: Litigation, Business, Real Estate

1505 West Sixth Street, West Sixth Place, Austin, TX

About David

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Litigation 50%

Real estate agent representation, partnership disputes, class actions, deceptive trade practices, business fraud

13 years

50%
Business 25%

Business formations, start-up counseling, lease and contract negotiations

13 years

25%
Real Estate 25%

Real estate contracts, leases, real estate litigation

13 years

25%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 225-500 per hour

Contingency

25%-45%


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Texas for 36 years

State: Texas

Acquired: 1989

Eligible to Practice in Texas

No misconduct found

Licensed in Georgia for 36 years

State: Georgia

Acquired: 1989

Inactive Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Gottfried Alexander Law Firm

1505 West Sixth Street, West Sixth Place, Austin, TX, 78703

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David M. Gottfried's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

38 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | Contracts & Agreements

Posted by San | June 25, 2018 | Contracts & Agreements

Fantastic lawyer, and very knowledgeable on residential leasing

Extremely knowledgeable, great listener, finds several creative solutions. I was considering doing a sublease for a room in a house, and asked David to look over several lease/sublease documents for me. Not only did he save me from accidentally being responsible for rent on an entire house, he made... several modifications to the sublease that made sure my rights were as respected as those of the other tenants. He also made sure that I didn't enter into a master lease that would've made me vulnerable to shouldering unfair obligations. He provided several solutions in the form of legal wording and advice on the lease signing process. He was intelligent, easy to talk to, listened, and cared. I give my highest recommendation!

Posted by Richard | November 07, 2013 | Contracts & Agreements

Commercial Litigation

David Gottfried represented my interests in a complex commercial dispute. Prior to David, I had retained two attorneys who had attained a high degree of professional achievement; i.e., a former Judge and the other a Texas Super Lawyer. Nevertheless, after four years of litigation, I was advised that ...a favorable outcome for my lawsuit was not attainable. This prompted me to seek new representation and after many inquiries I selected David based upon his reputation for honesty, integrity, and his extensive knowledge of the law. Upon examining my case file, David discovered that neither of my previous attorneys had pursued the applicable law that governed my transaction. In vain, for four years, they had pursued meritless DTPA and Common Law claims when they should have pursued the causes of action provided by the Uniform Commercial Code. Expeditiously, David revised my Petition and claims; he advocated and defended numerous Motions, attended hearings before the Court, conducted several depositions and then set the matter for trial. The opposition was a prominent Austin business, represented by an accomplished attorney with one of the largest law firms in Texas. It was a hard fought issue, involving material sums of money; David didn’t just hold his own, he pummeled his opponent and prevailed on the matter. What David accomplished exemplifies how incomparable he is. David has the ability to obtain favorable results in a cost effective manner. He is competent, diligent, kind and humorous, with integrity second to none. He promptly returned my phone calls, explained legal issues clearly and placed my interests above his own. David is a genuinely nice person, an exceptional attorney, and I unreservedly recommend his legal services to others.

Posted by Tim | October 20, 2013 | Contracts & Agreements

Extremely Competent and Knowledgeable

I met David in 2009 when he taught an MCE class I attended. At the time, he struck me as being very intelligent and extremely knowledgeable. A few months later I became a defendant in a lawsuit, and in need of an attorney. I immediately called David and briefly explained the situation to him. Aft...er the conversation, I felt a huge weight had been taken off my shoulders knowing he was on my side. My wife and I met with him at his office a few days later, and again, his calm demeanor combined with his competent knowledge of law left us both feeling relieved. He explained exactly how he was going to proceed, then kept us updated at every step of the way. Thanks to David, the case was dropped and never went to court. I really couldn't have been in better legal hands. Since then, David has helped me with corporate formation and filing, and contract negotiations. He has always been readily accessible and easy to reach by phone or email, and I have found him to be extremely trustworthy, reliable, responsive and competent. I have readily referred business associates and friends to David and will definitely continue to do so.

Posted by Stephen | October 18, 2013 | Contracts & Agreements

Highly Recommend David Gottfried

David represented me in a real estate contract case. He walked me through the sometimes confusing legal process. I felt well informed regarding the status of the case and all communication with opposing counsel. His calm competent demeanor in the court room strengthened the case. He proposed ‘out ...of the box’ ideas that ultimately led to a positive verdict. I would highly recommend David.

See All Client Reviews

David M. Gottfried's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse David
Sally S. Metcalfe headshot
Sally Metcalfe

Litigation lawyer | Dec 20

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. David and I worked on a case earlier this year and I found him to be tenacious and detail oriented. His work was exceptional and a true benefit to his client."

Scott Martin Hendler headshot
Scott Hendler

Litigation lawyer | Nov 23

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I first met David in the midst of an extremely emotional and controversial case in which he emerged as the sole rational and reasonable voice on the the opposing side that led to a resolution of what everyone thought was an intractable case. I would not hesitate to hire him as a business litigator or as a mediator and I endorse this lawyer without reservation."

Leonard B. Gabbay headshot
Leonard Gabbay

Business lawyer | Oct 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"David Gottfried is my "Go To" lawyer when I have a client who is involved in starting a business or when the client's business needs a smart and tenacious litigator to handle whatever needs to be handled. And David is not only tough, he's a nice guy, a family man, and very well-respected by the Judges in our community."

D. Todd Smith headshot
D. Smith

Litigation lawyer | Oct 18

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have had the privilege of working with David Gottfried on several matters in recent years and have had the opportunity to watch him in action as a counselor, strategist, and trial lawyer. David offers his clients very practical, no-nonsense advice about how to resolve their legal disputes and, if a resolution out of court is not possible, he is prepared to go to the mat for them through trial. David is a very effective advocate and is well respected by his peers and the judges who hear his cases. I highly recommend him."

James Damon Blake headshot
James Blake

Litigation lawyer | Oct 17

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have served as co-counsel with David and I frequently refer cases to him. Frankly, I can't say enough good things about him. He does a great job of helping clients understand both the practical and legal aspects of their situation, and he always begins by looking for creative and practical solutions before turning to more expensive legal options. In the courtroom, David is skillful and effective. I've even seen a judge compliment David from the bench and instruct opposing counsel that David "is one of the good lawyers." Highly recommend."

Jeremy Philip Levine headshot
Jeremy Levine

Litigation lawyer | Oct 17

Relationship: Co-worker

"David is one of the hardest working, knowledgeable lawyers I have had the privilege of working with. I strongly endorse him for any litigation matter."

Natalie Rebecca Lynch headshot
Natalie Lynch

Litigation lawyer | Oct 16

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. I worked with Mr. Gottfried through a contentious issue that ended after multi-day mediation. He was cool, calm, and several steps ahead of the game the entire time. He was able to consult with the mediator as a fellow mediator and explain why his position was both fair and strategic in a way that enabled the mediator to further the matter effectively."

Glenn H. Steele Jr. headshot
Glenn Steele

Real estate lawyer | Oct 16

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. David is an honorable man and a very capable adversary,"

Colten Wade Smith headshot
Colten Smith

Litigation lawyer | Oct 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I highly endorse David. I first worked on a lawsuit with David more than 10 years ago. By working with David on a highly complex lawsuit, I learned what a diligent and highly skilled trial attorney he was. Since that time, I have consulted with and for David on numerous lawsuits and legal issues. The most telling endorsement is that I would with happily refer my friends, family, and clients to David. He is one of the truly good trial attorneys."

Brian Edward Walters headshot
Brian Walters

Litigation lawyer | Oct 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"David is more than just a highly skilled litigator and mediator. He has a gift for breaking down highly complex fact patterns and communicating them in an understandable fashion. He is a very tough fighter when fighting is necessary. At the same time, he has the experience to know when a fight is warranted and when other paths should be explored. I have had the pleasure of working with Mr. Gottfried over several years on a number of different matters. I highly recommend and endorse him."

Brian Douglas Macleod headshot
Brian Macleod

Litigation lawyer | Oct 16

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. I have worked with David both as opposing counsel and as counsel with a similar (though not aligned) position. He is thorough, knowledgable, quick, and ethical. He is one of the best lawyers I have ever tried a case with. Both cases I had with David were administrative contested case hearings on water utility rates."

Kyle Lowe headshot
Kyle Lowe

Real estate lawyer | Jun 27

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have known David Gottfried as a fellow attorney since 1998. I have worked in collaboration on cases with David and have referred many clients to him. David is a fantastic attorney for cases in Fraud, Civil Disputes, Real Estate, Construction, Business and Mediation. Every client I have referred to David have told me that he exceeded their expectations. David is also a friend and very well received by the courts in Travis County. I highly recommend David Gottfried's services to any who have a legal matter."

View All Endorsements
Colten Wade Smith headshot
Colten Smith

Litigation lawyer

Natalie Rebecca Lynch headshot
Natalie Lynch

Litigation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.5 (Superb)

Honors

2013

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2012

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2011

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2010

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

Work Experience

2002 - 2004

Contract Partner, Cantey Hanger, LLP

1989 - 1996

Senior Associate, Leonard Hurt Terry & Blinn, P.C.

Associations

1992 - Present

Travis County Bar Association

2010 - 2013

Khabele School Board

Past Vice Chair

Sample of Legal Cases

Defended Real Estate Agents

Verdict for Defendants plus $157,000 in attorney's fees

Suit Against HOA on Short Term Rentals

Verdict for Defendant/Counter-Plaintiff

See More Legal Cases

Education

1989

Emory University School of Law

Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor (J.D.)

1986

Emory University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2012

Continuing Real Estate Education

Mediating Real Estate Disputes

Publications

2009

Austin Institute of Real Estate Mediating Real Estate Disputes

Languages

Spanish

Activity

Avvo Rating

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