About Us
David B. Applefeld
Member
David B. Applefeld is a member of the Firm with more than 20 years experience. Mr. Applefeld has litigated complex construction defect claims, insurance coverage claims, mechanics' lien actions, and architectural and engineering professional negligence claims in all levels of state and federal courts, before administrative agencies and before the American Arbitration Association. Mr. Applefeld serves as national panel trial counsel and special litigation counsel for several insurance companies and businesses. He is experienced in handling catastrophic personal injury claims, class action lawsuits, product liability matters, regulatory matters and other business litigation matters including contract disputes, business dissolutions, and conspiracy, fraud and RICO claims.
REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS
- Defended multi-million dollar class action construction defect, fraud, and consumer protection lawsuit filed against a developer in the United States District Court. The Court de-certified the class and dismissed all class claims against the developer.
- Represented prefabricated concrete manufacturer in prosecution and settlement of insurance coverage claims arising from parking garage collapse.
- Successfully represented designer of a professional sports stadium against allegations of design defects. The Circuit Court for Baltimore City entered judgment in favor of the design firm and all claims were dismissed.
- Represented custom builder in insurance coverage litigation filed in the United States District Court. The Court entered judgment for the builder, ordered the insurance company to pay the builder all costs and attorney fees incurred in the litigation, and ordered the insurance company to provide insurance coverage for the builder.
- Successfully represented OBGYN practice in medical negligence action. The Circuit Court for Montgomery County entered judgment in favor of the medical practice on all claims.
- Represented federally insured savings institution in litigating and settlement of consolidated multi-million dollar mortgage fraud, conspiracy and RICO claims brought in the United States District Court against mortgage brokers, title companies and facilitators.
- Defended pharmaceutical manufacturer in product liability trial in United States District Court against allegations of defective product arising out of an allergic reaction. Following trial, a verdict was returned for the pharmaceutical manufacturer on all claims.
- Represented the target defendant in negotiating and resolving one of the largest legal malpractice claims ever filed in Maryland..
- Successfully represented camp owner in assault, battery, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress and kidnapping claims arising out of alleged religious deprogramming activities.
- Represented developer and insurer litigating and settling multi-million dollar construction defect and design claims against general contractor and designers of water front condominium complexes in Ocean City, Maryland.
- Successfully represented recreational vehicle dealership in "roll-over" case.
- Represented restaurant owner and operators in a lawsuit filed by landlord-developer in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, alleging injunctive relief, and violations of non-competition provisions of a lease. The trial Court entered judgment for the restaurant owner and operators. The judgment was affirmed on appeal by the Maryland Court of Special Appeals.
- Successfully defended broker of a multi-million dollar international telecommunications loan in law suit alleging breach of contract. The Florida state court dismissed the claim.
- Represented valve manufacturer negotiating and resolving claims alleging product failure in a nuclear power plant.
- Represented shooting victim in recovery against handgun owner on negligence and negligent entrustment claims.
Practice Areas:
- Construction Law
- Litigation
Bar Admissions:
- Maryland, 1990
- District of Columbia, 1993
- Colorado, 1995
Court Admissions:
- United States District Court for the District of Maryland, 1991
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, 1998
- United States Supreme Court, 2002
Education:
- J.D., cum laude, University of Baltimore, School of Law, 1990
- B.A., University of New Hampshire, 1987
Awards:
- 2012 Maryland Super Lawyers, Baltimore Magazine, Construction Litigation
- 2011 Maryland Super Lawyers, Baltimore Magazine, Construction Litigation
- 2010 Maryland Super Lawyers, Baltimore Magazine
- 2009 Maryland's Legal Elite, Smart CEO Magazine
- 2009 Maryland Super Lawyers, Baltimore Magazine, Construction Litigation
- 2008 Smart Lawyers, Business Litigation, Baltimore Smart CEO Magazine
- 2008 Maryland Super Lawyers, Construction Law, Baltimore Magazine
- 2007 Maryland Super Lawyers, Construction Law, Baltimore Magazine
- 2007 Maryland's Legal Elite, Smart CEO Magazine
- 2005 Outstanding Lawyers of America
Reported Cases:
- Mutual Ben. Group v. Wise M. Bolt Co., Inc., 227 F.Supp.2d 469 (D.Md. 2002)
- National Mortg. Warehouse, LLC v. Bankers First Mortg. Co., 208 F.Supp.2d 565 (D.Md. 2002)
- National Mortg. Warehouse, LLC v. Bankers First Mortg. Co., 190 F.Supp.2d 774 (D.Md. 2002)
- In re Inner City Mgmt., Inc., 304 B.R. 250 (Bankr. D. Md. 2003)
Professional and Civic Involvement:
- Member, American Bar Association: Litigation Section (Construction Litigation Committee and Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee); Tort and Insurance Practice Section (Product, General Liability and Construction Law Committee); and Forum on the Construction Industry
- Member, Maryland State Bar Association
- Member, The Bar Association of Baltimore City (Judicial Selection Committee, 2004-2005)
- Member, The Baltimore County Bar Association
- Member, Defense Research Institute (Product Liability Committee, Maryland State Liaison, 2000)
- Member, Maryland Defense Counsel, Inc.
- Member, Home Builders Association of Maryland
- Member, American Subcontractors Association of Baltimore, Inc.
- Affiliate Member, American Institute of Architects, Baltimore Chapter
- Baltimore City Local Contractor Development Program
- Chesapeake Habitat for Humanity
- Friends School of Baltimore
- International Dyslexia Society
- The Gilman School, Baltimore, Maryland
Publications and Lectures:
- Baltimore Business Journal, November 27/December 3, 2009, “Is your building actually your building? Depends on Copyright”
- Mid-Atlantic Builder, May/June 2009,"Show Me the Money, Getting Paid for your Work"
- Halfmoon Seminars, February 2008, "Construction Law for Architects, Engineers and Contractors."
- Mid-Atlantic Builder, September/October 2007,"Understanding Maryland's Mechanic's Lien Law"
- The Critical Path DRI Construction Law Committee, "Understanding Builder's Risk Insurance"
- Maryland Society of Professional Engineers, September 2007 "Mechanics' Liens in Maryland"
- American Subcontractors Association, June 2007 "Secrets to Getting Paid"
- Mid-Atlantic Builder, July/August 2007,"Are You Covered -- An Introduction to Liability Insurance"
- Mid-Atlantic Builder, May/June 2007,"Hiring Considerations - Employee v. Independent Contractor"
- Mid-Atlantic Builder, January/February 2007,"Arbitration & Mediation - What Are You Agreeing To?"
- Mid-Atlantic Builder, November/December 2006, "What's the Risk? Understanding Builder's Risk Insurance"
- Mid-Atlantic Builder, July/August 2006, "Building a Custom Home? Protect Yourself"
- Mid-Atlantic Builder, November/December 2005, "Has Someone Spent Your Money?"
- Lorman Education, 2005, "Insurance Issues for the Construction Industry"
- Louisiana AIA, 1998, "Changes to the 1997 AIA A-201 Documents"
- NBI, 2001, "Litigating Extra-Contractual Claims in Maryland"