David T. Schaefer

Biography

David is a co-chair of the firm’s Product Liability practice group. He has extensive experience defending a wide variety of clients, including automotive, pharmaceutical and medical device companies in product liability cases. He also handles insurance coverage and general litigation matters, including asbestos, premises liability and commercial cases.

Understanding each client has unique tolerances and objectives, David works with his clients at the outset to provide them with a thorough evaluation of the case and identify their options before crafting a strategy that fits their needs. He is adept at all aspects of building a defense, from conducting on-site investigations to taking depositions and securing expert testimony to preparing a case for trial. He has significant experience negotiating settlements but also has taken numerous cases to trial in state and federal courts in Kentucky and Indiana. His appellate experience includes arguments before the Kentucky Supreme Court, Kentucky Court of Appeals, Indiana Supreme Court, Indiana Court of Appeals, and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Education

  • Indiana University Maurer School of Law  (J.D., cum laude, 1986)
    • Indiana Law Journal
  • Indiana University  (B.A., with honors, 1983)
    • Phi Beta Kappa

Bar Admissions

  • Kentucky
  • Indiana

Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court of Indiana
  • Supreme Court of Kentucky
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana

Affiliations/Memberships

  • Product Liability Advisory Council, sustaining member
  • International Association of Defense Counsel 
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Kentucky Defense Counsel, Inc., past director
  • Kentucky Science Center, past board member and general counsel
  • Kentucky Bar Association
  • Indiana Bar Association
  • Louisville Bar Association

Distinctions

  • Peer Review Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Kentucky Trial Court Review
    • Defense Trial Lawyer of the Year (2022)
  • Kentucky Super Lawyers® 
    • For Personal Injury – Products: Defense (2021)
  • Top 50 by Kentucky Super Lawyers®
  • Best Lawyers©
    • "Lawyers of the Year" in Louisville for Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2022)
    • Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants(2022-2024)
    • Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2022-2024)
  • "Top Lawyers” by Louisville Magazine (2014, 2016)