About David Marsh

David Marsh, a founding partner of Marsh, Rickard & Bryan, is widely recognized as one of the premier trial attorneys in the country. He has been awarded many honors, accolades, and recognition for his work both in the legal profession and the community. But he is genuinely embarrassed by the praise. “This is about justice for our clients. It's not about me,” says David.

“Our clients are victims of circumstances beyond their control. They need help and have often run out of places to go. We stand up for those people by guiding them through rapidly expanding restrictions set forth by the courts. We make sure they are protected.

We can't always put an end to their suffering. But if we can make a difference, a difference that helps restore them physically, mentally, financially, spiritually and emotionally, we feel we have done our job. We want justice to be done. We often are the last resort in ensuring a path to justice.”

David has been practicing law and representing individuals and businesses in personal injury, wrongful death, and complex business cases for more than forty years. He has been included in every edition of Alabama’s Super Lawyers since its inception, and Best Lawyers in America. Best Lawyers has chosen David as its Lawyer of the Year multiple times. He is profiled as a “Tier 1” litigator in Chambers USA.

In 1983, David became the youngest lawyer in America to receive a million-dollar-plus verdict when he did so (three times) at the age of 27. Since that time, he has obtained more than 50 verdicts in excess of a million dollars with numerous verdicts in excess of $10 million dollars. David is a sustaining member of the Alabama Association for Justice, a member of the Birmingham and Alabama state bars, the American Association for Justice, the American Board of Trial Advocates, the American College of Trial Lawyers. David is a past president of the Alabama Association for Justice and continues to serve on the organization’s executive committee.

He has been inducted into the Inner Circle of Advocates, an invitation only group consisting of only 100 of America’s top trial lawyers. David is a Senior Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, The Trial Lawyer Honorary Society. David has authored dozens of articles on civil litigation and is frequently asked to speak at lawyer groups throughout the country, both plaintiff and defense, on trial techniques. He has handled cases in every county in Alabama, as well as before the Alabama Supreme Court, the 5th and 11th Circuit Courts of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.

Proven verdicts and settlements

$30 millionVerdictTop 20 in Alabama · #8

A Tuscaloosa County jury awarded the family of Johnny Terrell Sledge $30 million after finding that the on-call trauma surgeon at DCH Regional Medical Center started a second elective operation instead of treating a gunshot wound, leaving Sledge to bleed to death in the emergency room over roughly two and a half hours.

Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court, Alabama · 2019Medical MalpracticeRead the full story →
$16 millionVerdictTop 20 in Alabama · #10

A Jefferson County jury awarded Caroline and J.T. Malatesta $16 million, finding that Brookwood Medical Center committed medical negligence and reckless fraud when the natural-birth experience its advertising promised gave way to a delivery in which Caroline was physically restrained, leaving her with permanent nerve damage.

Jefferson County Circuit Court, Alabama · 2016Medical MalpracticeRead the full story →
$15 millionVerdictTop 20 in Alabama · #11

A Limestone County jury awarded Gloria Owen $15 million after finding that a HEMSI ambulance crew, including a paramedic with an undisclosed history of drug use who fell asleep instead of monitoring her husband, failed to respond as Robert Owen suffered a heart attack during a routine hospital-to-hospital transfer.

Limestone County Circuit Court, Alabama · 2024Wrongful DeathRead the full story →

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is unique and depends on its own facts.

Practice areas

Education

Cumberland School of Law, Samford University
J.D., 1981
Auburn University
Undergraduate, 1978

Bar admissions & credentials

State Bar of Alabama

Other attorneys at Marsh, Rickard & Bryan

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Proven verdicts and settlements from other Birmingham firms

Hare Wynn Newell & Newton
Hare Wynn Newell & Newton
$1.51 billion · Hare Wynn Serves as Co-Lead Class Counsel in $1.51 Billion Syngenta Settlement for U.S. Corn Farmers
Cory Watson Attorneys
Cory Watson Attorneys
$671 million · DuPont C-8 Water Contamination: $671 Million Settlement After a String of Trial Wins
Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys
Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys
$20.73 million · Horry County Jury Returns Record $20.73 Million Against Myrtle Beach Lifeguard Contractor in Drowning of Father Caught in Rip Current
Heninger Garrison Davis
Heninger Garrison Davis
$64 million · Federal Jury Awards $64 Million to Charity Bingo Developers Blocked by VictoryLand
Hollis, Wright & Clay, P.C.
Hollis, Wright & Clay, P.C.
$10 Million Verdict for Deputy Mauled by Unmuzzled Police K-9 During Training

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is unique and depends on its own facts.