David Menninger is a Special Counsel in Buchalter’s Los Angeles office in the Litigation and White Collar & Investigations practice groups. A former Deputy Federal Public Defender and federal judicial clerk at both the district and appellate levels, he brings a calculated, insider’s perspective to high-stakes criminal and civil cases in courts nationwide.
David’s formidable trial record against the Department of Justice includes a high-profile jury acquittal that garnered national media attention and a “not guilty” verdict in an offense category where such victories occur in only 0.03% of cases. David’s strategic reach extends well beyond trial: he has engineered the dismissal of numerous indictments through creative pretrial litigation; won multiple Ninth Circuit reversals, including by published opinion; and leveraged critical depositions to compel the government to vacate a wrongful murder conviction.
Respected by the bench and bar for his credibility and legal acumen, David is a trusted advocate for individuals and corporations navigating sensitive investigations and complex disputes across a diverse range of industries, including health care, manufacturing, digital markets, and private equity.