Winston & Strawn LLP

Commercial Litigation & Disputes/Product Liability & Mass Torts

With over 30 years of experience, Dave stands out for winning complex commercial matters, class actions, and product liability cases on motions and trying cases to successful outcomes. He is also praised by clients for his “business-oriented approach and ability to think outside of the box” to engineer settlements that align with clients’ business objectives.

Dave is a trial lawyer who represents businesses in a wide array of disputes, including consumer class actions (typically involving claims of false advertising, statutory violations, or product defect) as well as lawsuits involving claims of breach of contract, business torts, trade secrets, trademark, RICO, product liability, product warranty, professional liability, shareholder securities fraud, breach of fiduciary duties, and shareholder derivative actions.

Dave is sought after by clients for his “analytical ability and knowledge of class action litigation” and “excellent courtroom manner.” Described by clients as “extremely experienced and strategic,” he has consistently developed successful strategies and implemented them with discipline, winning scores of cases on motions to dismiss or for summary judgment and defeating numerous motions for class certification.

According to clients, “[h]e is very good on his feet and in cross-examination of witnesses.” When the situation calls for it, Dave operates as a “hard-riding litigator.” He has conducted over 30 trials, including over a dozen jury trials, and is best known for his compelling opening statements, telling stories through direct examinations and incisive cross-examinations of fact and expert witnesses, several of which have been credited for being catalysts for trial victory.

Dave is a skilled negotiator. Clients emphasize that he is “pragmatic, practical and has a good business sense.” Throughout the years, Dave has engineered many creative business resolutions either before a lawsuit is filed or in early inflection points in litigation.[1] 

In May 2022, Dave became a founding partner of Winston & Strawn’s Miami office and leads its Florida litigation practice. He serves on the firm’s Complex Commercial Litigation Advisory Board. Before joining Winston, Dave was a shareholder for 23 years with a Miami-based international law firm, where he led its Miami Litigation Department from 2008 to 2017 and was a member of that firm’s national Litigation Executive Committee from 2017 to 2021.

English

Admissions

Florida Illinois

Dave received his B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of Miami in 1985. He received his J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School in 1988. Clerkships

USDC - Southern District of FL for the Honorable Stanley Marcus

Lawdragon— “500 Leading Litigators in America”—Recognized for Complex Commercial Litigation, Consumer Class Actions, Product Liability, and Mass Torts (2024–2025) “500 Leading Lawyers in America”—Recognized for Class Action and Consumer Litigation (2025) Chambers USA—Ranked for Litigation: General Commercial – Florida (2012–2025) The Best Lawyers in America®—Recognized for Commercial Litigation (2010–2025); Litigation - Securities (2023–2025); Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants (2023–2025); Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2024–2025) Benchmark Litigation U.S.—Recognized as a “Florida Litigation Star” (2020–2025) and a “National Litigation Star” (2019) Super Lawyers - Florida—Recognized as a “Top Rated Lawyer” (2006–2024) The Legal 500 U.S.— Recognized for Dispute Resolution - Product Liability, Mass Tort, and Class Action: Consumer Products, “Leading Lawyer” (2016 and 2020–2024), “Leading Partner” (2025) Recognized for Dispute Resolution - Securities Litigation: Defense (2017–2019) Recognized for Litigation - Securities: Shareholder Litigation (2007, 2013–2016) Client testimonial: “David Coulson... is praised [by clients] for doing an exceptional job,” 2007 guide to Securities Shareholder Litigation South Florida Legal Guide—Recognized as a “Top Lawyer” (2011–2016, 2020–2021) Daily Business Review—“Most Effective Lawyer Award” for International Litigation (2019); for Class Action Litigation (2016); and for Business/Securities Litigation (2007 and 2013) National Law Journal—“Top Defense Wins of 1999” Rated AV Preeminent® 5.0 out of 5.0

Board Member and former Chairperson, Jackson Health Foundation Board of Directors Board Member, GableStage Theater at the Biltmore Past member of Miami-Dade County Bar’s Civil Litigation Committee Past member of the Southern District of Florida’s Bench and Bar Conference Committee Former Director of the Hoeveler-Spellman Inns of Court