Skip to main content

David Blake Newdorf

  Save
Avvo Rating10
  • Oakland, CA
  • Licensed for 27 years
  • Free consultation
See more Oakland Litigation lawyersSearch
AboutContactReviewsCost

About David

David Newdorf founded Newdorf Legal is an alternative to the traditional big law firm. After practicing at a large law firm and in the public sector, Mr. Newdorf has learned that not every case requires an army of lawyers. Many cases are more effectively and efficiently handled by a single experienced lawyer overseeing every aspect of the work. Mr. Newdorf has personally handled all phases of litigation in hundreds of matters, including trials, mediations and appeals.


---


I have been a civil trial lawyer in San Francisco since 1994. Before law school, I was a daily newspaper reporter in California and Florida.

 

I started my own law firm, Newdorf Legal, in July 2008 as an alternative to the traditional big firm.  My firm represents individuals, business and public entities in trials and appeals.  From 2001 until setting out on my own, I served as a Deputy City Attorney and supervisor on the trial team of the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office.  At the City, I defended police civil rights claims, class actions and complex commercial disputes. I practice in both state and federal court at the trial and appellate levels.

 

Before joining the office, I was a litigation associate at O’Melveny & Myers LLP in San Francisco from 1994 to 2001.

 

Early in my career (1995-96), I took a one-year hiatus from O’Melveny to clerk for Judge Charles A. Legge in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. It was there I got my first exposure to civil rights cases, which led to pro bono work at O’Melveny and defending police civil rights cases at the City.

Practice areas

  1. Litigation: 40%

    Business, complex disputes, real estate investments, mortgage litigation, breach of contract, oral contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, interference with contract, interference with prospective economic advantage, False Claims Act, Unfair Competition, RICO, and complex litigation.

    28 years, 120 cases

  2. Business: 20%

    State and federal appeals in business and public entity cases.

    28 years

  3. Contracts and agreements: 20%

    Litigation, arbitration and mediation of contractual disputes, business, partnership, investment fund, and joint venture claims.

    28 years

  4. Lawsuits and disputes: 20%

    28 years, 100 cases

Photos and videos

143371 1361577604

Contact

Newdorf Legal

630 Thomas L. Berkley Way
Suite 103
Oakland, CA, 94612

    Resume

    License
    StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
    CAActive199402/07/2022
    We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
    Avvo Contributions
    Legal answers4
    Legal guides1
    Awards
    Award nameGrantorDate Granted
    Northern California Super LawyerSuper Lawyers Magazine2012
    Northern California Super LawyerSuper Lawyers Magazine2011
    Best Legal PresentationMcFetridge American Inn of Court, San Francisco2010
    San Francisco Board of Supervisors ProclamationSan Francisco Board of Supervisors2008
    James Madison Freedom of Information Award/Lawyer of YearSociety of Professional Journalists2000
    work experience
    TitleCompany nameDuration
    FounderNewdorf Legal2008 - Present
    Deputy City AttorneySan Francisco City Attorney's Office2001 - 2008
    Law ClerkU.S. District Court, Northern District of California1995 - 1996
    Litigation AssociateO'Melveny & Myers1994 - 2001
    associations
    Association namePosition nameDuration
    San Francisco Trial Lawyers AssociationMember2011 - Present
    Bay Area Lawyers NetworkMember2010 - Present
    California State Bar Litigation SectionExecutive Committee2008 - Present
    McFetridge American Inn of CourtMember2008 - Present
    Association of Business Trial Lawyers (Northern California chapter)Member2008 - Present
    Bar Association of San FranciscoMember1994 - Present
    publications
    Publication nameTitleDate
    The RecorderWriting a Winning Motion2013
    Newdorf Legal websiteThe Top 10 Business Litigation Mistakes (and how to avoid them)2011
    The RecorderDifficult Opposition and the Art of Verbal Jujitsu2010
    The RecorderThe Top 10 Killer Deposition Questions2008
    The RecorderLitigation Is Like Running A Marathon2008
    education
    School nameDegreeGraduated
    Loyola Law SchoolJ.D.1994
    Columbia University Graduate School of JournalismM.S.1983
    Univ of California BerkeleyBA - Bachelor of Arts1982
    speaking engagements
    Conference nameTitleDate
    Recorder RoundtablesHow to Take and Defend a Winning Deposition2011
    How to Prepare Your Client for DepositionHow to Prepare Your Client For Deposition2010
    Law Firm Management & Marketing For Tough Economic TimesLaw Firm Management & Marketing2009
    Civil Rights Appellate LitigationQualified Immunity In Civil Rights Cases2008
    How To Win Summary Judgment (MCLE)Civil Litigation & Procedure2007
    Taking Depositions (MCLE)Civil Litigation & Discovery2006
    legal cases
    Case nameOutcome
    Bull v. City and County of San FranciscoEn Banc ruling in favor of Newdorf Legal's client, the S.F. Sheriff and County of San Francisco
    Snyder and Santoro v. City and County of San FranciscoSummary Judgment for Defendant, Affirmed on Appeal
    Nishihama v. City and County of San FranciscoAppellate ruling limiting medicdal damages
    Airis Holdings LLC, Airis SFO LLC, Duane Morris LLP v. City and County of San FranciscoCity defendants awarded $3.4 million in atty fees.

    Reviews

    5.0 stars5.0 (3)
    5 Star
    		100%
    4 Star
    		0%
    3 Star
    		0%
    2 Star
    		0%
    1 Star
    		0%
    Review David Blake Newdorf

    Big Firm Quality @ Small Firm Prices (Highly Recommend)

    5.0 stars

    Posted by

    Excellent Lawyer - Highly Recommend

    5.0 stars

    Posted by

    Absolutely amazing...best business/professional attorney I've seen in the last 12 yrs

    5.0 stars

    Posted by

    Attorney endorsements

    (7)
    Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer
    Lawyer Christopher Francis Morales

    Christopher Morales, Business Attorney on Apr 6, 2012
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    David is a fabulous attorney. He's tough in the courtroom but compassionate with his clients. He is a former San Francisco Deputy City Attorney so he really knows the ins and outs of government and business law.

    Lawyer George William Wolff

    George Wolff, Litigation Attorney on Jun 21, 2011
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    I endorse this lawyer.

    Lawyer Christopher Francis Morales

    Christopher Morales, Business Attorney on Apr 6, 2012
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    David is a fabulous attorney. He's tough in the courtroom but compassionate with his clients. He is a former San Francisco Deputy City Attorney so he really knows the ins and outs of government and business law.

    Lawyer George William Wolff

    George Wolff, Litigation Attorney on Jun 21, 2011
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    I endorse this lawyer.

    Lawyer James A. Bach

    James Bach, Litigation Attorney on Jan 25, 2011
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    Mr. Newdorf is clearly an excellent trial attorney who uses the latest technology in the courtroom to persuade juries. He has presented a lecture to our lawyer's group (Bay Area Lawyers Network) in which he demonstrated ability, dedication, and common sense. He is clearly a litigator with superior trial skills in his arsenal, and I would have no hesitation in referring my clients to him.

    No photo

    Donald Margolis, Civil rights Attorney on Aug 10, 2010
    Relationship: Co-worker

    David is a brilliant lawyer, with great depth of experience and knowledge in the civil litigation in particular, and in civil rights and government contract litigation in particular. He served as one of my fellow supervisors for several year in the San Francisco City Attorney's office. I give him my highest recommendation.

    No photo

    Sean Connolly, Government Attorney on Jul 20, 2010
    Relationship: Worked together on matter

    I endorse this lawyer's work. David is an excellent attorney. He is smart, diligent, and loyal to his client.

    No photo

    David Ammons, Litigation Attorney on Jul 20, 2010
    Relationship: Worked together on matter

    I had the pleasure of working with David for several years at the City Attorney's Office. He is a dedicated lawyer with a tremendous ability to cut through even the most complex issues. I highly recommend him.

    Lawyer George Scott Emblidge

    George Emblidge, Litigation Attorney on Jul 15, 2010
    Relationship: Worked together on matter

    David is a bright, experienced creative attorney. I have referred clients to him and recommend him to any attorney looking for a top-notch lawyer with whom to collaborate.

    Cost

    RATES
    • Free Consultation Some lawyers offer a free consultation to help determine whether their services are right for your legal needs30 minutes
    PAYMENT METHODS

    Check, Credit Card