Nossaman Elects David Graeler as New Managing Partner

Graeler will be Firm’s First Minority Managing Partner; Started as an Associate in 2003

Los Angeles, CA—We are pleased to announce the election of David Graeler as our new managing partner. David joined Nossaman in 2003 and will be the first minority managing partner in our 80+ year history. He has served in numerous leadership roles, including as chair of the Firm’s Litigation Department, co-chair of the Real Estate Group and a member of the Firm’s Executive Committee. He assumes the role from George Joseph, who served as managing partner from 2013 and will be retiring May 1.

“I am humbled by the tremendous level of trust the partnership has placed in me and I am excited and energized to lead the Firm,” David said. “George has been an exemplary leader for Nossaman during the past decade. His steady hand guided the Firm through unprecedented times – both in the legal field and the larger world – and helped create a dynamic, inclusive working environment benefitting our clients, partners and employees. Everyone at the Firm is thankful for his service. I look forward to building on his many successes.”

David has nearly 25 years of trial experience as a go-to litigator for both plaintiffs and defendants. He excels at partnering with clients to identify their goals and then develop and execute winning strategies to effectively resolve complex business disputes both inside and outside the courtroom. He has twice been recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal (LABJ) as one of the region’s “Most Influential Minority Attorneys,” most recently in 2023, was one of LABJ’s “Top 100” Lawyers in 2022 and has been recognized numerus time as a “Leading Litigator” by the publication. Additionally, David has been noted as a “Commercial Real Estate Visionary” by the Los Angeles Times; a “Litigation Pioneer” by National Law Journal; and as “California Lawyer of the Year” by the Daily Journal. His clients include the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Los Angeles World Airports and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

“David has an unparalleled understanding of the constantly-shifting legal landscape and of the importance of delivering value to clients across a wide spectrum of practices,” said outgoing managing partner George Joseph. “He is an effective leader and strategic thinker. I have the utmost confidence Nossaman will reach even greater heights under his stewardship, while continuing to offer exceptional service to clients and making a difference in our communities.”

One of David’s highest priorities as managing partner will be to attract strong, diverse talent who would benefit from Nossaman’s platform and add value to the Firm’s culture and for clients. He also will focus on developing and promoting younger talent and will serve as the chair of our Executive Committee. This seven-attorney group reflects the Firm’s commitment to instituting diverse leadership. In addition to David, two attorneys with minority backgrounds and three women are among its members. 

David assumes the managing partner role at an exciting time for Nossaman. Earlier this year, we opened two Arizona offices and we're looking to strategically expand our offerings in the state. We have also recently enjoyed a string of high-profile successes including:

• Securing a $69.5 million verdict in the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency v. Whittaker Corp. et al. matter. The judgment will be used for remediation and new treatment facilities to remove perchlorate and volatile organic compounds from impacted wells and supply critical drinking water to nearly 300,000 California residents.
• Helping San Diego County’s East County Advanced Water Purification Project improve San Diego’s sustainable water supply.
• Acquiring critical real estate for the San Diego Association of Governments’ (SANDAG) Mid-Coast Corridor Transit Project, a $2 billion, 11-mile trolley line extension from downtown San Diego to University City.
• Winning by summary judgment a five-year legal battle on behalf of the Alameda County Employees’ Retirement Association, defending the current way contribution rates are calculated when funding multiple employer-defined benefits plans nationally and in California.
• Serving as Counsel of Record for the State of Maine Department of Marine Resources in Maine Lobsterman’s Association v. National Marine Fisheries Service, which is challenging a biological opinion issued by NMFS with respect to the American lobster fishery and several other fisheries.

• Helping LA Metro, through an alternative predevelopment agreement model, advance the approximately $6-$10 billion Sepulveda Pass Rail Transit project, which will help minimize traffic congestion on one of the busiest interstate highway corridors in the nation.

David earned his J.D. from Loyola Law School and his B.A. from the University of California Irvine. He serves on the Board of Governors for the Association of Business Trial Lawyers (Los Angeles) and as the chair of the Educational Conference Bid Committee for the International Right of Way Association (IRWA). He is a member of the Fellows of the American Bar Foundation and the American Bar Association Litigation Section–Condemnation, Zoning and Land Use Committee.