David M. Gossett

Partner

I love understanding my clients' businesses—it's the best way to solve their regulatory problems.

David Gossett is a member of the firm's technology, privacy and security group, where he uses his years of practice in government and the private sector to help clients navigate cutting-edge issues affecting internet, FinTech, and communications companies. His unique government experience—having served as deputy general counsel at the FCC, helped start the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and served as its initial assistant general counsel for litigation, and served as a trial attorney in the Civil Division at the Department of Justice—gives him particular insight into federal regulation and enforcement.

David understands that over the next several years, companies will face exponential growth in state and federal regulation, and concentrates his practice in helping business address these—advising them as regulations are enacted, assisting them with compliance, and representing them in litigation challenging or supporting new regulatory and enforcement actions. An experienced appellate litigator, David has argued on behalf of clients in the Supreme Court and numerous other federal and state courts of appeals, and has handled cases involving regulations across multiple federal agencies including the FCC, CFPB, NHTSA, FDA, IRS, and others.

Practice Highlights

Deputy General Counsel, Federal Communications Commission

Led group responsible for all trial and appellate litigation involving the FCC, including defense of FCC regulations and other orders, forfeiture actions involving enforcement orders, labor and employment matters, and FOIA litigation. Advised the FCC on matters of law and policy, including pending rulemakings. Represented the agency before Congress in oversight matters. Coordinated pending litigation across all judicial levels with the DOJ and FTC.

Assistant General Counsel, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

As one of the CFPB's earliest hires, David helped stand up the agency. He built and managed the Bureau's first defensive-litigation team, designed its cutting-edge amicus program, and developed processes and policies for all of the agency's defensive litigation. David also advised senior bureau management on a wide range of legal, policy, media, and organizational issues, including assessing and advising on litigation risks associated with potential or pending enforcement actions and defending the agency against constitutional challenges to its structure and to the appointment of its initial director.

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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