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David Blake Newdorf

Litigation Attorney at Oakland, CA

5.0   3 reviews

About David

Learn David’s areas of practice.

4
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.

    29 years, 120 cases

  2. Business
    20%
    State and federal appeals in business and public entity cases.

    29 years

  3. Contracts and agreements
    20%
    Litigation, arbitration and mediation of contractual disputes, business, partnership, investment fund, and joint venture claims.

    29 years

  4. Lawsuits and disputes
    20%

    29 years, 100 cases

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.

Photos and videos

Licensed for 28 years
State CA
Status Active
Acquired 1994
Updated 04/23/2023

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Contact David

Similar lawyers nearby

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

Reviews

5.0 / 5.0
  3 customer reviews
5 Star
 
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Posted by anonymous | March 20, 2011
Big Firm Quality @ Small Firm Prices (Highly Recommend)
I am a CEO of technology and service companies. David represented me in a breach of contract and employment litigation matter against a corporate entity with deep pockets and highly paid big firm attorneys. The bottom line: I had a great outcome thanks to David. Fearless, knowledgeable, and no-nonsense. Impeccable handle on the law and issues. Did not leave any stones unturned. Articulate and one of the best writers I have come across. For those new to litigation, strong writing and advocacy skills are fundamental -- David has it all.
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Posted by LD Mangin | July 27, 2010
Excellent Lawyer - Highly Recommend
My startup used Mr. Newdorf in a lengthy litigation and he performed superbly, delivering above and beyond our best expectations. He had come highly recommended to us from another lawyer, and managed our case superbly. He was diligent & precise in his work and performed admirably. As our company evolves, we will most definitely be using David again.
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Posted by Amit | July 16, 2010
Absolutely amazing...best business/professional attorney I've seen in the last 12 yrs
I own a software firm in the Silicon Valley....and tend to do a lot of business with firms in the east coast...with the economy in shambles...many small firms are trying to do stuff, which are not in compliance....we have had a few situations,where our vendors tried to solicit business from our clients and infringe on our intellectual rights...we spoke to many attorneys...it was a sheer waste of time...they all wanted to make money...no one was interested in helping us...finally, we were advised to meet with David....he came across as an angel...he spent time listening to us and advised us on the next steps....like a family...he represented us...and his approach was so good that we won the case....I would strongly advise any one in the software business or any business to work with David...he is knowledgeable, kind and extremely helpful.
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Cost

Rates
  • Free Consultation 30 minutes
Payment methods
Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • 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
View all work experience

Education

  • Loyola Law School
  • J.D.
  • 1994
  • Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
  • M.S.
  • 1983
  • Univ of California Berkeley
  • BA - Bachelor of Arts
  • 1982

Legal Cases

  • 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
View all legal cases

Associations

  • 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
View all associations

Honors and Awards

  • 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
View all awards

Publications

  • The Recorder
  • Difficult Opposition and the Art of Verbal Jujitsu
  • 2010
View all publications

Speaking Engagements

  • 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
View all speaking engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (7)
Given (2)
Endorse David
Business Attorney | Apr 06
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."
Litigation Attorney | Jun 21
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Litigation Attorney | Jan 25
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."
Civil rights Attorney | Aug 10
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."
Government Attorney | Jul 20
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."
Litigation Attorney | Jul 20
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."
Litigation Attorney | Jul 15
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."
View more endorsements