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Desktop Image: Gossett, David
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David M. Gossett

Partner

T 202.973.4216 Washington, D.C.
M 202.262.4156
I love understanding my clients' businesses—it's the best way to solve their problems.
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David Gossett, a member of the firm's technology, privacy, and security group, uses his years of practice in government and the private sector to help clients navigate cutting-edge issues affecting internet, FinTech, communications, and other companies. David concentrates his practice in helping clients address the growth in state and federal regulation, identify and solve regulatory problems, navigating regulations in the product development process, advising on pending regulations, assisting with compliance, and representing them in litigation.

An experienced appellate litigator, David has argued and won in the Supreme Court and numerous other federal and state courts of appeals, and has briefed cases in every federal court of appeals. He has handled appeals across a wide swath of matters—ranging from bankruptcy law to class-action certification to federal preemption to the enforcement of arbitration agreements—but has particular expertise in federal regulation and administrative law: He has handled cases addressing rules and other agency actions from, among other agencies, the CFPB, DOL, FCC, FDA, FMCSA, IRS, NHTSA, NPS, and STB.

Before joining DWT, David served as deputy general counsel at the FCC, where he oversaw all of the commission's litigation. In addition to his time at the FCC, David's government experience also includes helping to stand up the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, where he served as the initial assistant general counsel for litigation and set up and ran the appellate and defensive litigation group, and working at the Department of Justice, where he was an attorney in the civil division. This unique government experience gives David particular insight into federal regulation and enforcement.

Practice Highlights

Supreme Court litigation

Argued two cases in the Supreme Court, Fernandez-Vargas v. Gonzales, 548 U.S. 30 (2006), and Central Laborers' Pension Fund v. Heinz, 541 U.S. 739 (2004); briefed dozens of cases on merits, at cert stage, and as amicus. Experienced advocating for clients' interests before U.S. Solicitor General and coordinating amicus coalitions.

Appellate litigation

Argued appeals in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 9th, 11th, and D.C. Circuits, Georgia and New Jersey Supreme Courts, and various state appellate courts. Briefed cases in every other federal appellate court and numerous other state appellate courts.

Former government service

At FCC, led group responsible for all trial and appellate litigation; argued five important cases in federal appeals courts; and advised on matters of law and policy. At CFPB, built and managed defensive and appellate litigation team; designed cutting-edge amicus program; and developed processes and policies for all defensive litigation.

Admitted to Practice

  • Illinois, Inactive, 1997
  • District of Columbia, 2000
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals D.C. Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
  • U.S. District Court District of Columbia
  • U.S. District Court District of Maryland

Education

  • J.D., The University of Chicago Law School, 1997
  • Graduate Studies, Social Psychology, University of Colorado, 1994
  • M.A., Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, 1993
  • B.A., Psychology, Reed College, 1991

Memberships & Affiliations

    • Member, American Law Institute, 2009-present
    • Master, 2016-present; Co-chair, Membership Committee, 2010-2014; Membership Committee, 2007-2010; Secretary, 2004-2007; Member, 2004-present - Edward Coke Appellate Inn of Court
    • Co-founder; Executive Editor – The Green Bag, 1997-present
    • Treasurer, 2009-2011; Steering Committee, 2008-2011 - Administrative Law and Agency Practice Section, District of Columbia Bar
    • Board of Trustees & Legal Committee, 2010-2011; National Advisory Council, 2006-2010 - Americans United for Separation of Church and State
    • Board of Trustees, 2009-2011; Alumni Board, 2003-2006 - Reed College

Professional Recognition

    • Named as one of the "Best Lawyers in America" in Appellate Law by Best Lawyers while previously in private practice, 2009-2011
    • Selected to "Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers" while previously in private practice, Thomson Reuters, 2011
    • Listed as one of the "Top 40 Lawyers Under 40" by Washingtonian Magazine, 2006

Background

    • Deputy General Counsel, Federal Communications Commission, Washington, D.C., 2014-2019
    • Assistant General Counsel, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Washington, D.C., 2011-2014
    • Partner, 2005-2011; Associate, 2000-2004, Supreme Court and Appellate Practice, Mayer Brown LLP, Washington, D.C.
    • Visiting Associate Professor, Riga Graduate School of Law, Riga, Latvia, 1999, 2000
    • Honors Program Attorney, Civil Frauds Group, Civil Division, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., 1998-2000
    • Judicial Clerk, Hon. Diane P. Wood, U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, Chicago, 1997-1998
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