David Aveni is a commercial litigation and trial attorney whose practice focuses on the defense of securities matters. David defends clients in a wide variety of securities proceedings, including securities class actions and other civil litigation, enforcement proceedings involving the Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory entities, defense of securities arbitrations before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and internal investigations related to securities and accounting misconduct. These matters have involved a broad range of issues, including securities fraud, insider trading, financial reporting, accounting and disclosure issues, and regulatory compliance.

David regularly defends private and publicly traded corporations and their officers and directors, financial institutions, broker-dealers and registered representatives in a wide variety of securities proceedings. He has represented numerous Fortune 100 companies and “big four” accounting firms and played a prominent role in an internal investigation on behalf of one of the largest companies in Canada.

In addition to his experience related to securities matters, David has extensive experience litigating a wide variety of complex commercial litigation matters. He regularly litigates cases involving misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of contract, unfair competition, breach of fiduciary duty and other business torts. David handles matters in federal and state courts as well as in arbitration proceedings, with substantial experience in all stages of litigation, including trial and appellate practice and alternative dispute resolution.

David has engaged in considerable pro bono work and was one of the leading attorneys who brought a successful habeas corpus action on behalf of three individuals who had been wrongfully convicted of murder in a high-profile case. David and his team proved the actual innocence of their clients, who had spent a combined 70 years in prison, and set ground-breaking precedent in the process.

Following law school, David served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Gerald B. Tjoflat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

    Education

    • Duke University School of Law (J.D., 1998)
      • high honors; senior note editor, Duke Law Journal; Order of the Coif; Moot Court Board
    • Georgetown University (B.S., 1993)
      • magna cum laude

    Bar Admissions

    • California
    • District of Columbia
    • Maryland

    Court Admissions

    • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
    • U.S. District Court, Central District of California
    • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
    • U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
    • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado

    Professional Affiliations

    • Association of Business Trial Lawyers, San Diego Chapter, Board of Governors and Executive Committee

    Awards & Honors

    Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America®, 2024-2026

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