David F. Kunz

Location: Albany, New York
Phone: 518-462-5300 (Ext. 214)
Fax: 518-436-0210
Email: dkunz@dfklawfirm.com

Mr. Kunz is engaged in a litigation and general practice with the firm. In the area of litigation, his practice has been a wide range of civil matters including commercial disputes, stock-holder and corporate matters, employment and sexual harassment lawsuits, anti-trust, environmental claims, real property and real property tax matters, product liability, medical malpractice, defamation, personal injury claims and matrimonial equitable distribution cases.

As an experienced practitioner, he has worked with legal specialists in real property development, entity organization and trust and estate matters. Mr. Kunz has headed legal teams for the firm handling complex litigation and legal matters requiring the coordination and supervision of attorneys with specialized practices from both within and outside the firm.

Mr. Kunz is a graduate of Albany Law School where he was editor-in-chief of the law review, elected to the Justinian Society and awarded other prizes for academic achievement. Prior to law school, he attended Union College in Schenectady, New York where he graduated with honors in his major area of study.

Following graduation from Albany Law School in 1968, he had a clerkship as a law assistant with the New York State Appellate Division, Third Department. He has handled numerous appeals in both the New York State Appellate Divisions and Court of Appeals and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Mr. Kunz’s representative recent engagements include the following:

  • Obtaining a judgment in the Federal District Court for the Northern District of New York for over $20 million dollars in a commercial dispute.
  • Statewide representation of a national real estate firm handling all its litigation from anti- trust to franchising issues.
  • Defending manufacturers from sexual harassment and other employment claims.
  • Handling complex multi-party litigation involving claims against New York State and subcontractors arising from construction contract claims resulting in a settlement worth over $1 million to his client.
  • Successfully representing several large manufacturers in tax certiorari proceedings resulting in agreements to substantially reduce future real estate taxes and reimbursement for past excessive real property assessments.
  • Handling a series of personal injury and medical malpractice cases to successful resolution with awards and settlements in excess of $1 million dollars.
  • Of Counsel for trial purposes to numerous attorneys in cases in both federal and state courts.
  • General Counsel involving all aspects of the development of several shopping center projects.
  • Represented a sitting New York State Supreme Court Justice in an action in the Federal District Court for the Northern District of New York, which resulted in various provisions violated the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Areas of Practice

  • Medical Malpractice
  • Motor Vehicle Accidents
  • Products Liability
  • Premises Liability
  • Nursing Home Negligence
  • Personal Injury
  • Appellate Practice
  • Business and Corporate Law
  • Real Estate Law

Bar Admissions

  • New York State in 1968
  • United States District Court, Northern District of New York in 1968
  • United States District Court, Western District of New York in 1983
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1989
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of New York in 1992
  • United States District Court, Southern District of New York in 2002
  • Supreme Court of the United States in 2004

Education

  • Albany Law School, Union University, Albany, New York
    • J.D. cum laude – 1968
    • Honors: Justinian Society, 1968
    • Honors: Cardozo Prize, 1968
    • Law Review: Albany Law Review, Editor-In-Chief, 1966 – 1968
    • Union College, Schenectady, New York
      • B.A. – 1963
      • Honors: Justinian Society, 1968
      • Honors: With Honors
      • Major: Political Science

Published Works

  • Constitutional Law – Freedom of Press – Obscenity Standards, Albany Law Review, Vol. 31, Issue 1, 1967

Representative Cases

Representative Clients

  • Benefits By Design, Inc.
  • Weis Markets, Inc.

References

  • TODD Bush – Benefits By Design, Inc.
  • Cindy Barford – Key Bank
  • Gerald A. DeAngelus, CPA – Accountant
  • Jack O’Hara, Esq. – Weis Markets, Inc.

Honors and Awards

  • Justinian Law Society, 1968 – Present
  • 2010 Super Lawyers, 2010

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • New York State Third Judicial Dept., Committee Character and Fitness, Member, 1985 – Present
  • New York State Bar Association, Member, 1971 – Present
  • New York State Trial Lawyers Association, Member, 1987 – Present

Past Employment Positions

  • State of New York, Third Department Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Law Clerk, 1968 – 1969
  • New York State Senate, Attorney, 1969 – 1971

Pro Bono Activities

  • Committee on Character & Fitness Appellate Division Third Department, 1989 – Present
  • Assigned Counsel U.S. District Court Northern District of New York

Fraternities/Sororities

  • Sigma Chi