David Cantrell, Managing Partner

For over a decade David Cantrell has represented professionals, entrepreneurs, private businesses and consumers throughout Southern California, focusing on providing litigation, pre-litigation and business advice. David has handled legal matters for business of all shapes and sizes – from small and mid-size local businesses, to publicly traded companies.

Representation of Private Businesses

David devotes a large portion of his practice to the representation of entrepreneurs and privately held businesses. For these clients David regularly litigates matters involving shareholder disputes, real estate transactions and disputes, collection matters and employment claims. As part of his practice, David regularly provides outside general counsel services to regional businesses. This role allows him to develop strategies to assist the business in risk management and protection of its assets.

Representation of Professionals

David devotes a substantial portion of his practice to the representation of professionals in disputes arising from their practices. David has tried jury and non-jury cases for small and large firms. He has represented countless professionals in litigated matters involving allegations of malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud and malicious prosecution. In addition, David regularly provides his professional clients with advice on issues related to the ethical intricacies of their practices, and lawyers in matters involving the State Bar investigations. Based on his education, training and experience, the State Bar of California’s Board of Legal Specialization has declared David to be a Certified Specialist in California Legal Malpractice Law. David is one of only two lawyers based in the Inland Empire who possess this certification.

Work in the Community

In addition to his service to his clients, David has been involved in the local legal community through his service as a past-President of the RCBA Barristers group (2008-2010), and a member of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court (2007-2009). David has also lectured on numerous occasions on issues concerning civil procedure and professional duties owed by lawyers to their clients. David served as the Chair of the RCBA Civil Litigation Section from 2012 to 2015.

Certified Legal Specialties

California Legal Malpractice Law, California Board of Legal Specialization – State Bar of CA, 2011

Representative Clients

Corporations and other business entities
Lawyers and Law Firms
Physicians
Entrepreneurs
Insurers

Bar Admissions

California, 2003
U.S. District Court Central District of California, 2003
U.S. District Court Southern District of California, 2003
U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 2008

Classes and Seminars

San Bernardino Probate and Ethics Symposium: Avoiding Legal Malpractice Claims (2015)
Top 10 Ways to Avoid Legal Malpractice, Riverside County Bar Association (2015)
Pitfalls to Avoid at Retention, Consumer Attorneys of California (2011)

Honors and Awards

Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale Hubbell

Education

Pepperdine University School of Law, Malibu, California
J.D. – 2003
San Diego State University
B.S. – 1999
Major: Criminal Justice Administration

Professional Associations and Memberships

Riverside County Bar Association (RCBA), Chair, Civil Litigation Section, 2012 – 2015
RCBA Barristers’ Group, President, 2008 – 2010
Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court, Associate, 2007 – 2008
Riverside County Bar Association (RCBA), Member, Board of Directors, 2008 – 2010
RCBA, Member, 2003 – Present

Past Employment

Lobb, Cliff & Lester, LLP, Partner/Associate, 2003 – 2010