Stuart Davis is an experienced litigator representing individuals and Fortune 500 companies in high-stakes litigation. His practice focuses on defending medical and professional malpractice claims, general liability matters and commercial disputes. Stuart is well-versed in handling cases in state and federal courts, crafting persuasive dispositive motions and effectively negotiating favorable settlements for clients.

Prior to joining Wilson Elser, Stuart handled a wide range of civil litigation at a Washington, DC firm. After law school, he gained valuable experience as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Michele D. Hotten in the Supreme Court of Maryland. During law school, Stuart was an extern at the United States Department of Education, Office of Hearings and Appeals, in Washington, D.C. He honed his research and writing skills as a judicial intern for the Honorable Clayton Greene, Jr. in the Maryland Court of Appeals, 5th Judicial Circuit. Before starting his law career, Stuart taught fourth-grade reading and social studies with Teach for America in Baltimore.

    Education

    • University of Maryland, Francis King Carey School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2020)
      • Editor in Chief, Maryland Journal of International Law
      • President, International Law Society
      • Alumni Association Award
      • Joseph Bernstein Journal Scholarship Award
      • CALI Award for Excellence in International Arbitration, International Trade Law, International Law and Constitutional Law II: Individual Rights
    • Johns Hopkins University (M.S. Education, 2014)
    • Washington University in St. Louis (B.A. Political Science and History, cum laude, 2012)
      • Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society

    Bar Admissions

    • District of Columbia
    • Maryland

    Court Admissions

    • U.S. District Court, District of Maryland

    Clerkships

    The Honorable Michele D. Hotten, Supreme Court of Maryland

    Professional Affiliations

    • District of Columbia Bar Association
    • D.C. Defense Lawyer’s Association
    • Institute for Transnational Arbitration
    • Bar Association of Montgomery County

Stuart W. Davis

Terranova, Lefko, and Davis Win Unanimous Defense Verdict in 30 Minutes After Two-Week Medical Malpractice Trial

Jodi Terranova (Partner-Washington, DC), Nathan Lefko (Associate-Washington, DC), and Stuart Davis (Associate-Washington, DC) secured a defense verdict in a medical malpractice case in the Prince George’s County Circuit Court, Maryland, following a two-week-long trial. The case involved allegations of negligence against Wilson Elser’s gastroenterologist client arising from a colonoscopy that was complicated by a perforation, which was identified in the PACU following the procedure. The plaintiff alleged the perforation resulted from excessive use of CO₂ (barotrauma) during the procedure, and sought damages for a subsequent ileocecectomy, ongoing gastrointestinal symptoms, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium (along with his wife), and past medical bills. Jodi, Nate, and Stuart demonstrated that the physician encountered a tortuous colon with extensive diverticula immediately upon entering the colon and relied primarily on water infusion, with continuous suctioning throughout the procedure, rather than excessive CO₂. The team further established that the perforation was consistent with a shearing injury due to the tortuous colon, supported by pathology findings showing microscopic adhesions and a bowel-on-bowel connection. After just 30 minutes of deliberation, the jury returned a unanimous verdict in favor of the client.

Jodi V. Terranova, Nathan Lefko and Stuart W. Davis

Hanrahan & Davis Win on Multiple Failures to Prove Service

Catherine Hanrahan (Partner-Washington, DC) and Stuart Davis (Associate-Washington, DC) won an appeal before the District of Columbia Court of Appeals on behalf of a dental practice and one of its dentists after filing a motion to dismiss plaintiff’s complaint for improper service. D.C.’s highest court affirmed the trial court’s decision to dismiss the complaint due to the plaintiff’s multiple failures to prove service pursuant to Super. Ct. Civ. Rule 4. The Court’s opinion relied on substantial portions of Catherine and Stuart’s briefing, particularly the argument that actual notice of a claim is immaterial to the sufficiency of service of process. The appellate win not only saved the client needless litigation expenses but also provides a road map to effectively oppose similar deficient service of process cases in the future. 

Catherine A. Hanrahan and Stuart W. Davis

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