David R. Fine is an appellate lawyer with broad experience in both federal and state courts. He has practiced in the Second, Third, Seventh, Ninth and Eleventh federal circuits; the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Pennsylvania Superior Court and Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court; the Florida Supreme Court and the Florida Third District Court of Appeal; the Texas Court of Appeals; the Arizona Court of Appeals, the Oregon Court of Appeals and the Maryland Court of Appeals. Mr. Fine frequently serves as lead counsel in briefing or arguing appeals (and sometimes in both), and he also provides consulting assistance to other lawyers pursuing or defending appeals. Mr. Fine writes and lectures on appellate advocacy, and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court appointed him to serve for seven years on its Appellate Court Procedural Rules Committee, completing his term as vice chair. From 1992 to 1994, Mr. Fine served as a law clerk for the Honorable William W. Caldwell of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Prior to attending law school, Mr. Fine worked as a broadcast reporter.
Achievements
- Listed among the “Best Lawyers in America” in appellate practice, “bet-the-company litigation” and commercial litigation by U.S. News & World Report.
- Named a Pennsylvania “Super Lawyer” by Philadelphia Magazine and Law & Politics Magazine, 2004-2016.
- Awarded Outstanding Service Award by the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania (2008).
- Named by American Lawyer Media as one of 30 Pennsylvania “Lawyers on the Fast Track,” 2004.
Professional/Civic Activities
- Member of the Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners (appointed by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania (2015-present)
- Bar Association of the Federal Third Circuit (member of board of governors, 2013-present)
- Coordinator of Pennsylvania Supreme Court Pro Bono Pilot Program (appointed, 2015)
- Pennsylvania Supreme Court Appellate Court Procedural Rules Committee (appointed member, 2008-2014, vice chair, 2013-14)
- Pennsylvania Bar Association, Appellate Advocacy Committee (co-chair, 2011-2015)
- Lawyers' Advisory Committee of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (appointed member, 2006-2009)
- Dauphin County Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Bar Association, Civil Litigation Section (council member, 2003-2009; chair, 2008-2009)
- Federal Bar Association (Middle District of Pennsylvania Chapter, President, 2001-2002)
- Lawyers’ Advisory Committee of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania (appointed member, 1999-2005; committee chair, 2003-2005)
- Merit Selection Panel for Magistrate Judge Retention, U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania (chair, 2005)
- Central Pennsylvania Autism Education and Resource Center (The Vista School) (director and corporate secretary, 1999-present; director and board chair, 2016-present)
- Keystone Autism Services (director, 2009-2016)
- Pennsylvania Special Education Advisory Panel (gubernatorially appointed member 2004-2010; vice-chair, 2007-2010)
- Pennsylvania Autism Task Force (appointed member, 2003-2004)
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