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a man wearing a suit and tie smiling at the camera

39 years of experience

dwilson@ggh-law.com

205.402.4834

205.980.1098

Education

  • J.D., Birmingham School of Law (1985)
  • B.S., Auburn University, Transportation (1979)
ABOUT

David’s practice areas include complex litigation. premises liability, construction defect, workers’ compensation, general civil litigation and trucking/transportation law.  Because of David’s college degree from Auburn University in Transportation and five year stint as a dispatcher with Malone Freight Lines (while going to night law school), transportation litigation is near and dear to his heart.  His background gives him a depth of understanding of the business, and perhaps more importantly, allows him to develop a strong rapport with the truck drivers he is defending through the course of the case.  David has defended hundreds of trucking related matters (primarily truck wrecks involving personal injury, but also involving cargo claims and insurance coverage issues under a business auto policy, non-trucking/bobtail policies, etc.) and has an excellent track record in achieving desired results for his clients both in trial and settlements.  He continues to stay abreast of important industry issues through his membership in the Trucking Industry Defense Association (TIDA), as an active member of the Trucking Law Committee for DRI, and as a regular speaker and author for industry and claims groups.

David’s trial experience is extensive, and literally ranges from the trial of dog bite cases to multiple deaths arising from products liability and trucking accidents, and everything in between.  Over the years, he has tried over 140 jury cases to a verdict all across Alabama, in both state and federal court.  In addition, he has tried over 250 workers’ compensation (non-jury) cases to judgment, and has tried approximately 15 workers’ compensation cases to a jury (drug impairment, intoxication and/or willful misconduct of the employee).  He has over 40 reported appellate decisions in a wide range of cases.

David holds the AV rating from Martindale Hubbell.  He is Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.  He is a “Mid-South  Superlawyer” since 2010,  listed  among the  “Top Rated Attorneys in Birmingham,” and he has received other unsolicited “vanity” lawyer  listings over the years.  While he is appreciative of these recognitions, he is most gratified that his clients believe he is a good lawyer who gets good results in a cost effective manner.

David recently gave a presentation on  “The Future of Medicine:  Standard of Care or Junk Science” at the DRI Trucking Law Seminar in Austin, Texas. You can read a summary of that presentation here.

Practice Areas

  • Complex litigation
  • Premises liability
  • Construction litigation
  • General civil litigation
  • Workers compensation
  • Trucking and transportation law

Reported Appellate Decisions

  • Susan Schein Chrysler-Dodge v. Selby Rushing, ___ So. 3d ___, 2011 WL 260715, Ala. Civ. App., January 28, 2011 (NO. 2091112)
  • Steward Mach.Co., Inc. v. Board of Trustees of University of Alabama ex rel. Div. University of Alabama Hosp., 36 So. 3d 67, 2009 WL 3335908, Ala. Civ. App., October 16, 2009 (NO. 2080215)
  • Ex parte Steve Cagle Trucking Co., 989 So. 2d 560, 2008 WL 344115, Ala. Civ. App., February 8, 2008 (NO. 2061105)
  • Billy Barnes Enterprises, Inc. v. Williams, 982 So. 2d 494, 2007 WL 2812768, Ala., September 28, 2007 (NO. 1050183)
  • Ex parte Baptist Health System, Inc., 966 So. 2d 920, 2007 WL 1030084, Ala., April 6, 2007 (NO. 1041914)
  • Associated Grocers of the South, Inc. v. Goodwin, 965 So. 2d 1102, 2007 WL 1030299, Ala. Civ. App., April 6, 2007 (NO. 2050574)
  • Miller & Miller Const. Co. v. Madewell, 920 So. 2d 571, 2005 WL 1653767, Ala. Civ. App., July 15, 2005 (NO. 2040376); 901 So. 2d 733, 2004 WL 2633607, Ala. Civ. App., November 19, 2004 (NO. 2030509); 878 So.2d 1171, 2003 WL 22463405, Ala. Civ. App., October 31, 2003 (NO. 2020090); 829 So. 2d 778, 2002 WL 441950, Ala. Civ. App., March 22, 2002 (NO. 2000683); 766 So. 2d 855, 2000 WL 337541, Ala. Civ. App., March 31, 2000 (NO. 2981452); 736 So. 2d 1107, 1999 WL 305033, Ala. Civ. App., May 14, 1999 (NO. 2970084); 736 So. 2d 1098, 1998 WL 290178, Ala. Civ. App., June 5, 1998 (NO. 2970084)
  • Ex parte Williams, 895 So. 2d 924, 2004 WL 1909459, Ala., August 27, 2004 (NO. 1020034)
  • Callaway v. Whittenton, 892 So. 2d 852, 2003 WL 22977433, 52 UCC Rep.  Serv. 2d 525, Ala., December 19, 2003 (NO. 1020660)
  • Wade Sand & Gravel, Inc. v. Lacey, 855 So. 2d 569, 2003 WL 328860, Ala. Civ. App., February 14, 2003 (NO. 2010963)
  • Homes of Legend v. O’Neal, 855 So. 2d 536, 2003 WL 203242, Ala. Civ. App., January 31, 2003 (NO. 2010949)
  • Ex parte Amerigas, 855 So. 2d 544, 2003 WL 203261, Ala. Civ. App., January 31, 2003 (NO. 2020041)
  • USA Motor Exp., Inc. v. Renner, 853 So. 2d 1019, 2003 WL 133000, Ala. Civ. App., January 17, 2003 (NO. 2010732)
  • Alabama Power Co. v. Aldridge, 854 So. 2d 554, 2002 WL 31730988, 19 IER Cases 676, Ala., December 6, 2002 (NO. 1010969)
  • Ex parte LFI Pierce, Inc., 829 So. 2d 163, 2002 WL 321193, Ala., March 1, 2002 (NO. 1010693)
  • Bess v. Waffle House, Inc., 824 So. 2d 783, 2001 WL 1658628, Ala. Civ. App., December 28, 2001 (NO. 2000215)
  • LFI Pierce, Inc. v. Carter, 829 So. 2d 158, 2001 WL 1175351, Ala. Civ. App., October 5, 2001 (NO. 2000274)
  • Marshall Durbin Food Corp. v. Rogers, 825 So. 2d 120, 2001 WL 527470, Ala. Civ. App., May 18, 2001 (NO. 2000195)
  • Ex parte Kimberly-Clark Corporation, 779 So. 2d 178, 2000 WL 1273685, Ala., September 8, 2000 (NO. 1990075)
  • Ex parte Doster Construction, Inc., 772 So. 2d 447, 2000 WL 641104, Ala., May 19, 2000 (NO. 1990203)
  • Tallassee Super Foods v. Hepburn, 771 So. 2d 477, 2000 WL 283899, Ala. Civ. App., March 17, 2000 (NO. 2981410)
  • Ex parte Miller and Miller Construction, Inc., 736 So. 2d 1104, 1999 WL 148099, Ala., March 19, 1999 (NO. 1971933)
  • Gibson v. Birmingham Barracudas, 733 So. 2d 427, 1999 WL 64957, Ala. Civ. App., February 12, 1999 (NO. 2971056)
  • Sheppard v. Massey Hauling Co., Inc., 726 So. 2d 682, 1998 WL 338111, Ala. Civ. App., February 12, 1999 (NO. 2971056)
  • Ex parte R.E. Garrison Trucking, Inc., 720 So. 2d 946, 1998 WL 122733, Ala. Civ. App., March 20, 1998 (NO. 2970185)
  • Fant v. Champion Aviation, Inc., 689 So. 2d 32, 1997 WL 37005, Ala., January 31, 1997 (NO. 1951119, 1951013)
  • Ivory v. Gulf Agency, 667 So. 2d 725, 1995 WL 529448, Ala., September 8, 1995 (NO. 1931293)
  • Ex parte Burnham Service Co., Inc., 649 So. 2d 1270, 1994 WL 576027, Ala., October 21, 1994 (NO. 1931112, 1931130)
  • North River Ins. Co. v. Purser, 608 So. 2d 1379, 1992 WL 282074, Ala. Civ. App., October 16, 1992 (NO. 2910206, 2910211)
  • Owsley v. Winston Furniture Co., 596 So. 2d 12, 1992 WL 13775, Ala. Civ. App., January 31, 1992 (NO. 2900624)
  • Reeder v. Reagan, 590 So. 2d 296, 1991 WL 203892, Ala. Civ. App., October 11, 1991 (NO. 2900476)
  • Valley Bldg. & Supply, Inc. v. Lombus, 590 So. 2d 142, 1991 WL 242624, Ala., June 28, 1991 (NO. 89-1788)
  • Superior Roofing Contractors, Inc. v. Alabama Roofing, Sheet Metal, Heating & Air Conditioning Contractors’ Ass’n Self Insurers Fund, 576 So. 2d 216, 1991 WL 37578, Ala., March 1, 1994 (NO. 89-909)
  • McDevitt & Street Co. v. Mosher Steel Co., 574 So. 2d 794, 1991 WL 26718, Ala., January 11, 1991 (NO. 89-652)
  • Davis v. Genuine Parts Co., 567 So. 2d 1275, 1990 WL 155490, Ala., August 31, 1990 (NO. 89-471)

Professional Associations

  • DRI (formerly Defense Research Institute)
  • Chair, Workers’ Compensation Committee (2005 – 2007)
    Vice Chair, Workers’ Compensation Committee (2003 – 2005)
    Trucking Law Committee –  Steering Committee
    Former Member, Strategic Planning Committee
    Former Member, Partnering with Industry Associations Committee
    Former Member – Center for Law and Public Policy
    Has lectured at several DRI Seminars and published articles in For the Defense, and committee newsletters
  • Trucking Industry Defense Association (TIDA)
  • Board Certified as Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy
  • Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
  • Alabama Workers’ Compensation Defense Lawyers Association
  • Alabama Workers’ Compensation Organization

Bar Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar
  • United States District Court for Alabama (Northern, Middle & Southern Districts)
  • United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
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