David Skilling

David Skilling is Of Counsel at Harlan Hillier DiGiacco, where he focuses on litigation and trial work. Over nearly twenty years of practice, David has served as lead counsel in numerous jury trials and arbitrations and has obtained millions of dollars in compensation for his clients.

David has built much of his career taking on difficult cases against well-funded opponents. He has litigated against companies including Microsoft, DirecTV, and Chevron, along with major insurance companies, municipalities, government agencies, and some of California’s largest law firms.

The courtroom has been part of David’s career from the very beginning. He won his first civil trial while he was still in law school. Since then, colleagues have turned to him when a difficult case is approaching trial and another experienced trial lawyer is needed to help prepare the case and take it into the courtroom.

About David

David represents employees in cases involving wrongful termination, retaliation, discrimination, harassment, unpaid wages, pregnancy discrimination, and violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and California Family Rights Act (CFRA). He also reviews severance agreements and employment contracts and represents clients in business disputes.

His work has put him across the table and across the courtroom from corporations, insurance companies, public entities, and government agencies with substantial resources behind them. David brings nearly two decades of litigation experience to those cases, along with the willingness to dig into complicated facts and stay with a case through trial when necessary.

David’s connection to trial work also extends beyond his own cases. From 2008 to 2011, he coached the Trial Team at California Western School of Law, helping law students develop the courtroom skills he began putting into practice during his own time there.

Outside the legal profession, David has spent several years in public service and community leadership. He served as Mayor Pro Tem and City Councilor for the City of Lakewood, Colorado, from 2017 to 2021. Since 2023, he has also coached youth lacrosse.

from 2017 to 2021. Since 2023, he has also coached youth lacrosse.

Notable Cases

• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar v. Upper Deck – A dispute involving the basketball legend’s name, image, and likeness rights in connection with trading cards.
• Hacker v. Bittner – Litigation against a Rodeo Drive plastic surgeon accused by the Medical Board of criminal offenses.
• Evans v. City of San Diego et al. – A civil rights case involving allegations of excessive force and violations of Section 1983 and Fourth Amendment rights.
• Mainstream Communications et al. v. DirecTV – An arbitration challenging chargebacks and fees assessed to contractors.

Trial Advocacy & Leadership

• Trial Team Coach, California Western School of Law, 2008–2011
• Mayor Pro Tem and City Councilor, City of Lakewood, Colorado, 2017–2021
• Youth Lacrosse Coach, 2023–present

Education

J.D., California Western School of Law

B.A., Political Science, Metropolitan State University of Denver

Bar Admissions

• California
• Colorado
• U.S. District Courts in California
• U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Contact

Phone: (619) 944-6190

Office: 701 Island Avenue, 2nd Floor
San Diego, CA 92101

Schedule a free consultation: hhdlaw.com/contact