He is a former judicial officer committed to resolving legal issues throughout central Indiana. As a general practice lawyer, he has experience in both criminal and civil law. David practiced law for over 14 years and built a successful private practice before serving as a judicial officer in Marion County, Indiana for 3.5 years. As a judicial officer, David was assigned to the Arrestee Processing
Center (APC) and major felony drug court where he focused his efforts on problem solving and reducing recidivism through offender education efforts. Returning to private practice in October, 2016, David expects to incorporate the lessons he learned from the judiciary in assessing the strengths and weaknesses of his client’s cases. David has major felony trial experience and appellate advocacy experience. While many lawyers will spend an entire career and never have the opportunity to argue before the Indiana Supreme Court, David has done so three (3) times. Those decisions have helped shape Indiana law in the areas of Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated and Habitual Traffic Violator offenses. In 2013, David retired as a field grade officer in the U.S. Army Reserves after serving for 25 years. Originally enlisting as a private out of high school in 1988 David was later commissioned through ROTC as a Second Lieutenant in the Military Police and completed the U.S. Army’s Airborne school. David served as a commander of the 384th MP HHC in Fort Wayne, IN, before transferring to the Judge Advocates General (JAG) Corps in 2000 where he served the remainder of his Army career as a military lawyer. In 2003, David deployed to Iraq as a JAG officer with the 800th Military Police Battalion in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was assigned to the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in the Iraqi Ministry of Justice where he served as the “ombudsman” for juvenile and female detainees. David earned the Bronze Star during his deployment for a variety of accomplishments including 1) obtaining a confession from an Iraqi detainee concerning placement of over 500 anti-tank and personnel mines, 2) successfully negotiating the peaceful displacement of over 1500 squatters from Iraqi government lands, 3) exhibiting the proper care and control over Iraqi detainees and 4) organizing charitable events to better the Iraqi people. Despite being in the middle of a war zone, David made international news when he established an Arabic library in the Al-Karhk Juvenile detention facility and held a charitable event called “Operation Touchdown” in which two Baghdad orphanages were introduced to the sport of American Football with the assistance of the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints franchises. David later renewed the Operation Touchdown theme in 2006 and 2010 raising money for the United Services Organization (USO) and Wounded Warrior Project, respectively. David is also an adjunct professor at Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis (IUPUI) where he teaches “Substantive Criminal Law” for the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Additionally, David has presented classes to fellow members of the Indiana bar and judges on the “Military Aspects of Divorce in Indiana” and the “Servicemember’s Civil Relief Act”. In the military, David instructed multiple military units on topics such as “Federal Ethics”, “Code of Conduct”, “Law of War”, “Rules of Engagement” and “General Orders in a Combat Theater”. David is a credited contributor in two published books written by Dr. Erin Albert: “Indianapolis: A Young Professional’s Guide” (2010) and “Multipationals: The Changing World of Work and How to Create Your Best Career Portfolio” (2015). In 2007, Dave was a finalist for Junior Achievement’s “Indy’s Best and Brightest- Law Category”. Although born and raised in Michigan, David has lived in the Indianapolis area since 1994. He graduated with an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice with minors in Political Science and Military Science from Western Michigan University in 1992. After completing his initial military obligations, David moved to Indianapolis to obtain his law degree at Indiana University – McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis, Indiana. David graduated from law school in 1998 and was admitted to the Indiana State Bar after passing the Bar Exam that same year. David currently lives in Indianapolis, Indiana with his wife, three children and a variety of pets. He enjoys spending time with his family, attending sporting events, and volunteering for charitable, military, and political organizations. Since 2008, David has managed operations for the Indianapolis Tornados minor league football team. David is an active member of the Indiana State Bar and his local community. If you would like to contact David about legal services, you may reach him at [email protected] or by calling Riley Cate, LLC at 317-588-2866.
