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.
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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
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
State and federal appeals in business and public entity cases.
28 years
Litigation, arbitration and mediation of contractual disputes, business, partnership, investment fund, and joint venture claims.
28 years
28 years, 100 cases
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
CA | Active | 1994 | 02/07/2022 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Northern California Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2012 |
Northern California Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2011 |
Best Legal Presentation | McFetridge American Inn of Court, San Francisco | 2010 |
San Francisco Board of Supervisors Proclamation | San Francisco Board of Supervisors | 2008 |
James Madison Freedom of Information Award/Lawyer of Year | Society of Professional Journalists | 2000 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Founder | Newdorf Legal | 2008 - Present |
Deputy City Attorney | San Francisco City Attorney's Office | 2001 - 2008 |
Law Clerk | U.S. District Court, Northern District of California | 1995 - 1996 |
Litigation Associate | O'Melveny & Myers | 1994 - 2001 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association | Member | 2011 - Present |
Bay Area Lawyers Network | Member | 2010 - Present |
California State Bar Litigation Section | Executive Committee | 2008 - Present |
McFetridge American Inn of Court | Member | 2008 - Present |
Association of Business Trial Lawyers (Northern California chapter) | Member | 2008 - Present |
Bar Association of San Francisco | Member | 1994 - Present |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
The Recorder | Writing a Winning Motion | 2013 |
Newdorf Legal website | The Top 10 Business Litigation Mistakes (and how to avoid them) | 2011 |
The Recorder | Difficult Opposition and the Art of Verbal Jujitsu | 2010 |
The Recorder | The Top 10 Killer Deposition Questions | 2008 |
The Recorder | Litigation Is Like Running A Marathon | 2008 |
Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB) | Attorney consultant for California Civil Writ Practice (4th edition) | 2008 |
Section 1983 Civil Rights Law Reporter | Ninth Circuit Strip Search Law In Flux After Bull Decision | 2008 |
California Business Litigation Reporter | Inside Fraud, Outside Negligence & Professional Liability | 2008 |
San Francisco Daily Journal | Intensive Carelessness | 2007 |
The Recorder | Prison Life and Death, Close Up | 2000 |
The Recorder | Diverted By Sensationalism | 1994 |
Loyola of Los Angeles Law Review | Inside Fraud, Outside Negligence and the Savings & Loan Crisis: When Does Management Wrongdoing Excuse Professional Malpractice? | 1993 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Loyola Law School | J.D. | 1994 |
Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism | M.S. | 1983 |
Univ of California Berkeley | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1982 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Recorder Roundtables | How to Take and Defend a Winning Deposition | 2011 |
How to Prepare Your Client for Deposition | How to Prepare Your Client For Deposition | 2010 |
Law Firm Management & Marketing For Tough Economic Times | Law Firm Management & Marketing | 2009 |
Civil Rights Appellate Litigation | Qualified Immunity In Civil Rights Cases | 2008 |
How To Win Summary Judgment (MCLE) | Civil Litigation & Procedure | 2007 |
Taking Depositions (MCLE) | Civil Litigation & Discovery | 2006 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Bull v. City and County of San Francisco | En 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 Francisco | Summary Judgment for Defendant, Affirmed on Appeal |
Nishihama v. City and County of San Francisco | Appellate ruling limiting medicdal damages |
Airis Holdings LLC, Airis SFO LLC, Duane Morris LLP v. City and County of San Francisco | City defendants awarded $3.4 million in atty fees. |
Posted by anonymous
March 20, 2011
Posted by LD Mangin
July 27, 2010
Posted by Amit
July 16, 2010
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.
George Wolff, Litigation Attorney on Jun 21, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
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.
George Wolff, Litigation Attorney on Jun 21, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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