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)

The appellate practice at Goodwin finds favor for its ‘ability to synthesize complex and nuanced legal issues’. Historically best known for its record in life sciences and technology-related appeals, where it can lean on the wider firm’s dominant industry offerings, the group additionally handles a steady stream of class actions, financial services and transport-related cases. In Washington DC, high-profile appellate specialist William Jay contributes experience in arguing seventeen cases before SCOTUS; he recently scored a win for Boeing—and co-defendant Southwest Airlines—at the Fifth Circuit in a case concerning Boeing’s 737 MAX aircraft. The DC team also draws on Brian Burgess, who co-chairs the FDA litigation practice, and up-and-coming appellate partner Jaime Santos, who has a focus on ERISA litigation, patent litigation, constitutional law and product litigation. Recommended in Boston are experienced department head Kevin Martin; David Zimmer, who specializes in IP, administrative law and consumer financial services; and newly promoted partner Gerard Cedrone.