David Zimmer > Goodwin > Boston, United States > Lawyer Profile

Goodwin
100 NORTHERN AVENUE
BOSTON MA 02210
MASSACHUSETTS
United States

Position

Partner

Career

Named as one of Law360’s 2021 Appellate Rising Stars, David Zimmer is a partner in the firm’s Litigation Department, and a member of its Appellate and Supreme Court Litigation practice. David focuses on U.S. Supreme Court and appellate matters and complex commercial litigation, and has litigation experience in a wide range of areas, with a particular focus on intellectual property, administrative law, and consumer financial services. He has argued three cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, and has briefed and argued other appeals and dispositive motions in federal and state courts across the country. David maintains an active pro bono practice, focused primarily on immigration issues, for which he was awarded Goodwin’s Robert B. Fraser Pro Bono Award. David is ranked in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business as an “Up and Coming” attorney in the Nationwide Appellate Rankings, which identified his “notable strength in immigration and patent infringement-related disputes.” His advocacy has also been recognized by Law360, The Financial Times, The American Lawyer, Managing IP, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Boston Magazine and the Legal Aid Society.

Prior to joining Goodwin, David clerked for Justice Elena Kagan of the U.S. Supreme Court and Judge William A. Fletcher of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. In addition to his work at Goodwin, David serves as a Lecturer at Harvard Law School, where he directs the Federal Courts Clinic and teaches the Federal Courts Clinical Seminar. He also serves on the Board of Directors for both the ACLU of Massachusetts and Lawyers for Civil Rights.

Education

JD, 2010, Harvard Law School (magna cum laude) / MPA/ID, 2010, Harvard Kennedy School of Government / BA, 2004 Harvard College (magna cum laude)

Lawyer Rankings

United States > Dispute resolution > Appellate: courts of appeals / Appellate: supreme courts (states and federal)

Lawyers in Goodwin’s practice demonstrate ‘deep and insightful strategic thinking‘, according to clients. A popular choice to represent life sciences and technology clients in appellate work, in line with the wider firm’s signature strengths, the group also had strong recent showings in financial services, class actions and social justice-related appeals. In Washington DC, seasoned group co-chair William Jay is widely lauded for his top-level experience, which includes arguing 17 cases before SCOTUS. Jay is currently representing Novartis in appellate matters related to ongoing European patent litigation between it and Eli Lilly. Also in Washington DC, next-generation partner Brian Burgess is singled out as an ‘outstanding writer and oral advocate‘, while Jaime Santos is noted for her record in ERISA, patent, and constitutional law-related litigation. In Boston, key contacts include department co-chair Kevin Martin, highly active associate Gerard Cedrone, and David Zimmer, who has a focus on IP, administrative law, and consumer finance-related matters.