David R. Carpenter

Representative Matters

• Successfully argued Segal v. ASICS America Corp. (2022) in the California Supreme Court after also serving as appellate counsel for a trial that resulted in a complete defense verdict in a complex commercial dispute.
• In the products liability context, represented Johnson & Johnson in post-trial motions and on appeal, overturning a US$417 million verdict in a widely publicized case alleging that talcum powder causes ovarian cancer. David also has extensive experience representing life-science defendants in other California JCCP proceedings.
• In the media and entertainment context, successfully represented on appeal and as appellate counsel at trial a major motion picture studio in a dispute over royalties for a musical work.
• In the consumer class action context, represented clients in the Ninth Circuit, California Court of Appeal, and trial courts across jurisdictions in cases involving pharmaceutical products, dietary supplements, and retail goods.
• In the employment context, acted as appellate counsel at trial in an alleged misclassification case that resulted in a complete defense verdict. Successfully represented clients on appeal and in defeating class certification in cases alleging failure to pay overtime, missed meal and rest breaks, and failure to reimburse, among other claims.
• In the regulatory context, represented clients in litigation and pre-litigation negotiations on issues such as enforcement of environmental and transportation-related regulations.

Pro Bono Matters

• Prevailed in the California Supreme Court in Doe v. Olson (2022), which held that a non-disparagement clause in a mediated settlement to resolve a Civil Harassment Restraining Order did not bar a sexual assault complainant from bringing a civil lawsuit against her alleged abuser.
• Filed an amicus brief on behalf of 82 scholars who study the transgender population in R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes, Inc. v. EEOC, 590 U.S. 140 (2020), a momentous case in which the U.S. Supreme Court held that employers are prohibited from firing employees on the basis of homosexuality or transgender status.
• Represented the Children’s Defense Fund, Fair Elections Legal Network, and the Union for Reform Judaism et al. in an amicus brief in Evenwel v. Abbott (2016), involving whether the “one-person, one-vote” principle under the Equal Protection Clause allows states to use total population, rather than voter population, when apportioning state legislative districts.
• Represented respondent in Kerry v. Din (2015), addressing the constitutional rights of a U.S. citizen to challenge the denial of a visa to her spouse.

• Chair of the Sidley Los Angeles Committee on Associate Training and Development, for which he has developed programs on effective legal writing and research techniques.
• Member of the Litigation Executive Committee for the Los Angeles County Bar Association
• Board member for Sound Mind Live, a nonprofit organization that seeks to reduce the stigma that surrounds mental health issues through the power of music.