David F. Taylor
David draws on more than 35 years of experience as a trial lawyer and litigator to defend clients in high-stakes criminal and civil fraud matters.
A former assistant U.S. attorney and the former chair of the firm's White Collar & Investigations practice, David Taylor has led the defense of Fortune 200 corporations, other businesses, directors, officers, and employees in matters throughout the United States. These include white-collar criminal matters, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission enforcement proceedings, False Claims Act (FCA) litigation, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigations, securities and corporate governance litigation, and director and officer liability litigation. David also regularly leads internal investigations and advises clients concerning the design and implementation of corporate compliance programs.
David is listed in Chambers USA (Band One for Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations) and has been listed as a Washington "Super Lawyer" for 15 consecutive years. David also speaks and writes regularly on topics relevant to his practice and has received the prestigious Burton Award for Legal Writing.
Areas of focus
Education & Credentials
Education
- Harvard Law School, J.D., magna cum laude, 1986
- Middlebury College, B.A., summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 1982
Bar and Court Admissions
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Washington
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California
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Idaho
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
Related Employment
- U.S. Attorney’s Office, Criminal Division, Major Frauds Section, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Los Angeles, CA, 1991-1995, and Seattle, WA, 1995-1996
- Latham & Watkins, Los Angeles, CA, Litigation Department, Associate, 1987-1991
Clerkships
- Hon. Walter Jay Skinner, U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Professional Recognition
Ranked by Chambers USA, as “America’s Leading Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations Lawyer," 2014-2024
Listed in Best Lawyers in America: Commercial Litigation; Corporate Compliance Law; Criminal Defense: White-Collar; Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy); Litigation - Securities 2010-2025
Listed in Super Lawyers Magazine, "Washington's Super Lawyers," 2005-2024
Co-Author of article awarded 2009 Burton Award for Legal Writing
Listed in Washington CEO, "League of Justice," 2006
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Washington, "Civil Libertarian of the Year," 2006
U.S. Department of Justice, Special Achievement Award for Prosecution of White Collar Crime
*Peer Review Rated AV in Martindale-Hubbell
(AV®, BV® and CV® are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.)
Impact
Professional Leadership
- American Bar Association, White Collar Crime Committee, Northwest Regional Subcommittee, Co-Chair, 2004-2008
- American Bar Association, Litigation Section, Criminal Law Section
- Washington State Bar Association, Litigation Section
- Federal Bar Association, Western District of Washington
- National Association of Corporate Directors, Northwest Advisory Board, 2005-2009
- American Bar Association (ABA) Task Force on UpJohn Warnings, Member, 2008-2009
- Shareholder Litigation in Washington State (Washington State Bar Association), Editorial Board Member and Lead Author of “Derivative Lawsuits” chapter, 2014
Insights
News
Professional Experience
White Collar Defense
Fortune 200 Manufacturing Company
U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Asset Control
Defend Fortune 200 manufacturing company in ongoing investigation of alleged violations of Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations.
United States v. Confidential
U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska
Defend company in criminal prosecution under the Clean Water Act.
Institute of Cetacean Research v. The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, et al.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Defend board of directors in trial and related proceedings for alleged contempt of court.
In the Matter of Countrywide Financial Corporation
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
Defend former corporate officer in investigations of country's largest mortgage lender and related litigation.
Fortune 200 Biotechnology Company
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Defend Fortune 200 biotechnology company in criminal and civil investigation of alleged violations of False Claims Act and Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act arising from clinical research and marketing activities.
Antitrust Grand Jury Investigation
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
Defend executive in criminal investigation of alleged violations of antitrust laws.
Fortune 100 Company FCPA Investigation
Defend company in DOJ and SEC investigation of alleged violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Grand Jury Investigation re Online Gambling
U.S. District Court for the District of Eastern Missouri
Defend company in grand jury investigation of advertising for online gambling businesses.
Antitrust Grand Jury Investigation
U. S. District Court for the District of Colorado
Defend public company in grand jury investigation of alleged antitrust violations by subsidiary.
Securities Fraud Investigation
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Defend law firm in grand jury investigation arising from alleged securities fraud.
Grand Jury Investigation re Aircraft Issues
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
Defend airline in federal grand jury and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigations.
Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Investigation
Defend technology company in criminal investigation of alleged mischarging in connection with government contracts.
Grand Jury Investigation re Contract Fraud and Intellectual Property Issues
U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon
Defend manufacturer in grand jury investigation of alleged government contract fraud and theft of intellectual property.
Air Force Investigation
Defend Fortune 100 company in investigation by Air Force Office of Special Investigations regarding government contracts.
False Claims Act
United States ex rel. Confidential v. Confidential
U.S. District Court for the District of Montana
Defend hospital and related company in qui tam lawsuit under the False Claims Act and the Anti-Kickback Statute.
United States ex rel. Confidential v. Confidential
U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska
Defend companies in qui tam lawsuit under the False Claim Act.
United States ex rel. Confidential v. Fortune 100 Company
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Defend companies in qui tam lawsuit under the False Claims Act. All claims dismissed.
United States v. Fortune 200 Company
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
Defend company in lawsuit by DOJ under the False Claims Act.
United States ex rel. Confidential v. Confidential
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
Defend company in qui tam lawsuit and DOJ investigation of alleged violations of the False Claims Act.
United States ex rel. Confidential v. Confidential
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
Defend company in investigation and qui tam lawsuit under the False Claims Act.
United States ex rel. Confidential v. Fortune 200 Companies
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
Defend Fortune 200 companies in qui tam lawsuit under the False Claims Act. All claims dismissed.
United States ex rel. Confidential v. Fortune 500 Company
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Defend company in qui tam lawsuit under the False Claim Act. All claims dismissed. Dismissal affirmed on appeal.
United States ex rel. Confidential v. Fortune 100 Company
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
Defend Fortune 100 company in qui tam lawsuit seeking more than $720 million under the False Claims Act. All claims against our client dismissed on summary judgment on the eve of trial. Affirmed on appeal.
United States ex rel. Confidential v. Fortune 100 Company
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas
Defend Fortune 100 company in False Claims Act case. All claims against our client dismissed.
SEC And Securities Enforcement/ Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)
Financial Institution Investigation
Defend officer of financial institution in SEC investigation of accounting issues.
United States Securities & Exchange Commission v. Fortune 200 Company
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Defend public company in SEC investigation and enforcement action concerning accounting matters.
Fortune 100 Company FCPA Investigations
Represent Fortune 100 company in DOJ and SEC investigations of alleged violations of the FCPA in multiple countries throughout the world.
Fortune 200 Company FCPA Investigation
Represent public company in investigation of alleged violations of the FCPA.
Fortune 500 Company SEC Enforcement Investigation
Defend public company in SEC enforcement investigation of goodwill accounting issue
Fortune 500 Company FCPA Investigation
Represent public company in investigation of alleged violations of the FCPA.
Fortune Global 100 Financial Services Firm Confidential Investigation
Defend broker-dealer/investment advisor in investigations by Federal Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and Washington Department of Financial Institutions.
Public Technology Company
Defend public company in SEC investigation of alleged accounting irregularities.
Public Company Audit Committee
Represent audit committee in internal investigation of accounting irregularities resulting in restatement.
Stock Option Backdating Investigation
Defend Chief Executive Officer of public technology company in internal and SEC investigations of alleged stock option backdating.
Board Internal Investigation
Represent board in internal investigation of alleged wrongdoing by chief executive officer of hospital system.
Securities Fraud Investigation
Defend private company in grand jury and SEC investigations for alleged aiding and abetting securities fraud.
Mutual Fund Market Timing Investigation
Defend mutual fund company in market timing investigation by SEC and Washington State Department of Financial Institutions.
SEC Insider Trading Matter
Defend senior vice president of Internet company in SEC investigation and action for insider trading.
Securities Enforcement Investigation
Defend national investment advisor in state regulatory investigation.
Securities & Corporate Governance Litigation
FDIC v. Hanson, et al.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Defend former Chairman and CEO of bank in lawsuit by Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for alleged breach of fiduciary duty.
Confidential Bank Directors
Defend directors and officers of closed bank regarding investigation and potential claims by Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Confidential Bank Directors
Defend directors of closed bank regarding investigation and potential claims by FDIC.
Argent Classic Convertible Arbitrage Fund LP v. Countrywide Financial Corporation, et al.
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
Defend officer in securities class action lawsuit arising from collapse of country's largest mortgage lender.
Costco Wholesale Corporation Derivative Litigation
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Defend officers and directors in derivative lawsuit.
Voyager Learning Company
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
Defend company in derivative lawsuits arising from accounting restatement.
Torbitt & Castleman Company v. Windway Capital Corporation
Represent company in arbitration for breach of representations and warranties in stock purchase agreement.
ClearData Communications Securities Litigation
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
Defend officers in action for breach of fiduciary duty and securities fraud.
Upgrade International Corporation Securities Litigation
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Defend company and chief executive officer in securities fraud class action.
Port Townsend Paper Corporation Acquisition Company v. Haindl Papier GMBH
Represent buyer in arbitration for breach of representations and warranties in stock purchase agreement.
Cobalt Group Inc. Shareholders Litigation
Superior Court of Washington, King County
Represent special committee of board of directors in securities fraud class actions arising from going private transaction.
Mai v. Alki Software Corporation
Superior Court of Washington, King County
Defend owner and founder of technology company in action alleging securities fraud, RICO and breach of contract arising from sale of company.
Holden v. PCN
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
Represent seller of company in action under federal securities laws arising from sale of software company.
Other Litigation
Workday, Inc. v. Oracle Corporation, et al.
Superior Court of Washington, King County
Represent company in lawsuit regarding disclosure of confidential information under the Washington Public Records Act.
Microsoft Corporation v. Richard D. Curry
Superior Court of Washington, King County
Represent Microsoft in investigation and litigation arising from theft of assets by former employee.
Deluxe Recycling and Disposal, LLC and Cimarron Transfer and Recycling Company v. Skagit County
Superior Court of Washington, Snohomish County
Defend county in lawsuits arising from alleged violations of state law in connection with development of waste disposal system.
Cascadia Capital LLC v. Nighthawk Radiology Holdings Inc.
Represent investment bank in arbitration.
T-Mobile USA Inc. v. Linco Contractors Ltd.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Represent telecommunications company in action against contractors and former employee.
Seneca Foods Corporation v. Starbucks Corporation
Circuit Court of Oregon, Yamhill County
Defend Starbucks against claims for breach of contract.
North Pacific Processors Inc. v. James Kudwa
Represent company in RICO action.
Jeffrey Best, et al. v. Grant County
Represent class of indigent criminal defendants in pro bono challenge to public defense system.
Starbucks Corporation v. Rosemary Heinen
Superior Court of Washington, King County
Represent company in action to recover assets and damages from $3.4 million embezzlement scheme.