Since his admission to the California bar in 2001, David E. Libman, Esq., LL.M. has had the opportunity to practice in a variety of related and complementary practice areas. These days, David’s practice focuses primarily on business, real estate and tax matters. David’s practice often involves civil litigation – an arena in which he has successfully tried and/or settled cases in both California and Colorado. David has been able to consistently achieve successful litigation outcomes that have met or exceeded his client’s expectations. Those lawsuits have included, among other things, multi-million dollar complex business disputes involving breach of contract and related tort claims (e.g., breach of fiduciary duties, negligence, unfair competition, fraud etc.), creditor/debtor disputes and real property disputes involving quiet title and unlawful detainer (a.k.a. eviction) claims. David’s practice also often extends to assisting and advising clients on a variety of other matters that are important to their particular needs, including: (1) transactional matters, such as those related to (a) entity formation, e.g., the creation of a partnership, LLC or corporation, and (b) later governance and compliance issues for those existing entities; and (2) real estate transactions, e.g., the negotiation of leases, purchase agreements or promissory notes. In 2008, David received a master of laws degree (LL.M.) from UCLA in business law with a tax emphasis. As such, David devotes part of his practice to estate planning and tax matters. With estate planning, David works with his clients to develop a comprehensive strategy that works best for them and their particular needs – not just a cookie-cutter “one size fits all” approach. In the tax arena, David represents clients in disputes with various taxing authorities, where his successes have included: (1) an IRS appeal where he helped secure a $0 liability decision from the IRS after it threatened his client with over $1 million in income tax liability; (2) a property tax appeal where he helped secure a $1.5 million reduction in assessed value from the County’s original assessment; and (3) a sales tax audit in which he successfully negotiated a near 50% reduction from the California State Board of Equalization’s initially proposed tax liability. David is also well-versed in advising clients on tax matters involving: (1) the establishment of Internal Revenue Code Section 468B qualified settlement funds; (2) qui tam recoveries under federal and state False Claims Acts; (3) transaction optimization; (4) property tax assessment and related exclusions; (5) 1031 exchanges; and (6) the provision of Circular 230 opinions regarding income characterization. Indeed, even if a client does not approach David for tax advice, David has come to realize that his knowledge of tax issues ends up being a value added component to the other services he provides. Though the Orange County’s Community Service Programs, Inc., David has completed the requisite training as dictated by the California Dispute Resolution Programs Act of 1986 to serve as a mediator, including in unlawful detainer disputes. David expects his role as a mediator will become an increasingly prominent aspect of his practice in the coming years due to the continuing backlog of litigation in California court system. Prior to becoming a lawyer, David worked professionally as a musician for years, first in New York (where he obtained a bachelor’s degree from The Juilliard School), and later in Los Angeles and Orange County. As a musician – specifically, a drummer – David has recorded albums; played as the house drummer on a nationally syndicated television set talk show; toured domestically and internationally; and performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the Universal Amphitheatre. David has a particular love for jazz and believes that the listening and creative skills he has honed as musician serve him well in his capacity as an attorney. Indeed, many consider David to be “the lawyer who listens.” David still continues to play music as an application in various venues throughout Orange County, and he also often writes for DRUM! Magazine as a reviewer an interviewer. Finally, David is most proud of his family. He has been married to his beautiful, creative and artistic wife Andrea for 24years – thus demonstrating that David knows how to make fantastic decisions. David and Andrea have two highly intelligent, kind and talented sons, Mathieu and Joel, ages 23 and 20.
5
Practice Areas
110 cases
We have not found any cost information for this lawyer
State: California
Acquired: 2001
No misconduct found
State: Colorado
Acquired: 2014
No misconduct found
1038 E. Bastanchury Rd., #360, Fullerton, CA, 92835
davidelibman.com
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Kelly | September 1, 2021 | Hired Attorney
I highly recommend David Libman. He specializes in business law and real estate law. He helped my family with a legal issue. He treated us with respect and explained the process thoroughly. He was helpful beyond words. It was great knowing we were being helped by a knowledgeable, caring, experienced...
Posted by Ramy | January 21, 2021 | Consulted Attorney
I've had the pleasure of working with David for some time now and I can earnestly say he's one of the best attorneys I've had the pleasure of working with. I will continue to send anyone his way that needs help. He is knowledgable, caring, and fights!
Posted by Priscilla | October 29, 2020 | Hired Attorney
I have known David for a few years and so grateful to have him as a resource. It took me years to find a Real Estate attorney that I felt confident to refer to clients. He has been helpful in all our Real Estate Legal questions. I have referred him to many clients, and I have only heard great feed...
Posted by Vic | March 13, 2015
My opinion of David is,if I could give him 20 rating I would give it to him. David is EXCELLENT. I feel when I was talking to David,that I was talking to a Friend,NOT AN ATTORNEY he made you feel that comfortable. He was VERY informative and gave you the positives & negatives. Gave ALL of his ...
Posted by LOU | September 3, 2013
David is quick to respond to my legal needs. He always has time to discuss my cases and to answer my many questions. David represented me against the IRS going to tax court. He accomplished a miracle, a no change of four years' tax returns (IRS accepted the returns as filed). That was after an au...
"David is such a great resource for business owners and those with real estate issues. He's detailed, experienced, and very responsive. I highly recommend him."
"David is a wonderful attorney and person. He genuinely cares for his clients and getting the best outcome for their case. Not only do I consider David a friend, but I referred my parents to him to work on a real estate matter because of his wealth of knowledge on the subject and his calm and measured disposition. He is a true professional that his clients can trust and his opponents will respect; Old School in the best sense."
"I've been really impressed by David. He has such compassion for his clients and will always do what is right by them. I have referred several people to David over the past year and each one has come back with the same review - he is amazing, he listened, and he is very well-versed in the law. You can't ask for a better combination in one attorney."
"One of the highest compliments an attorney can receive is from former opposing counsel. When I went up against David, I sensed his genuine concern for his client. He advocated intelligently and passionately for his client, but also did so in the most professional manner (which does not go unnoticed by judges and juries). He was so effective that I remembered him and referred one of my own cases to him when I had a medical emergency. He successfully closed out the case in a very short time frame to the client's benefit. David is, without a doubt, one of the highest tier lawyers I know, and as such, is an asset to both the State Bar as well as to the community at large."
"David is extremely talented , and an outstanding Lawyer . He goes the extra mile for his clients . All of the referrals that I have made to David are extremely happy with the quality of service he has provided ."
"Mr. Libman is a highly intelligent and extremely capable attorney who has always practiced with honesty and integrity. I would not hesitate to refer him to friends or family nor would I hesitate to hire him for my own needs if they should arise."
"David is an attorney of the highest abilities and integrity. He offers extensive experience in litigation along with his understanding of tax law, estate planning and general business law issues. Truly a one-stop shopping attorney for any successful business."
"David is a smart, careful attorney who also offers the benefit of sound judgment to his clients."
"David is a very intelligent and talented attorney that is extremely motivated to achieve the best possible results for his clients. The results speak for themselves. I highly recommend David for your business dispute or litigated matter."
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Family lawyer
Litigation lawyer
Litigation lawyer
Lawsuits and disputes lawyer
Insurance lawyer
Litigation lawyer
Insurance lawyer
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
One of Orange County's "Best Lawyers", OC Metro Magazine
2007
Rising Star, California Super Lawyers
2006
Rising Star, California Super Lawyers
2005
Rising Star, Southern California Super Lawyers
2014 - Present
Owner, Law Office of David E. Libman
2010 - 2014
Partner, Enterprise Counsel Group, ALC
2008 - 2010
Tax Attorney, Wood & Porter
2004 - 2007
Senior Associate, Enterprise Counsel Group, Alc
2002 - 2004
Associate, Sedgwick Detert Moran & Arnold
2001 - 2002
Associate, Berger Kahn A Law Corporation
2014 - Present
Santa Ana Chamber of CommerceMember
2014 - Present
Orange Chamber of CommerceMember
2014 - Present
Kiwanis AKTion ClubCharter Member and Board Member
2001 - Present
Orange County Bar AssociationMember
2001 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember
2008
LL.M - Master of Laws
2001
JD - Juris Doctor, magna cum laude
1992
BM - Bachelor of Music
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English
