David R. Parker

Accomplished lawyer, author and advocate

David is an appellate attorney with Sommers Schwartz, and has appeared before the Michigan Supreme Court, the Michigan Court of Appeals, the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

In his role with the firm, David works primarily in the areas of personal injury law, unpaid wage and overtime law, and class action law. As one of the firm’s appellate attorney, he handles a wide range of issues, including drafting and arguing clients’ appeals and briefing dispositive motions at the trial court level. David’s command of persuasive legal writing and oral advocacy have earned him both respect of the Michigan legal community and recognition from dBusiness Magazine, Super Lawyers, and Martindale-Hubbell.

David has also published a variety of works, including in Michigan Association for Justice (formerly the Michigan Trial Lawyers Association), and the American Association for Justice (formerly the American Trial Lawyers Association).

Growing up in a blue-collar family in Erie, Pennsylvania, David began his working career in a paper mill. Hoping to make more for himself, and to help his community, David decided to attend law school at the University of Akron Law School. His goal was initially to help people through his advocacy. As an appellate attorney, David now characterizes his contribution to society as “helping lawyers help other people.”

David’s favorite part of his job is interacting with the many Sommers Schwartz attorneys, and getting to know the newer attorneys. According to David, the highlight of his career was obtaining a reversal from the Sixth Circuit, allowing the families of the victims of Korean Airlines Flight 007 (which was shot down by the Soviets for straying into Soviet airspace) to obtain compensation for their losses. In his spare time, David enjoys listening to all types of music. He also routinely lectures on various legal issues and teaches classes at Michigan State University College of Law.