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Advocacy at a Higher Level

Horvitz & Levy is a solutions-based firm focused on appellate success. We are distinguished by our commitment to responsive service and on-going innovation in the areas of civil appellate litigation, amicus curiae support, and trial strategy consultation.

Our firm history, honors and awards, and locations speak to our collaborative approach and commitment to serving clients as well as the outstanding legal resources we bring to bear.

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David S. Ettinger

David S. Ettinger

Of Counsel - Los Angeles Office

How David Helps Clients

David Ettinger has briefed and argued many notable appeals, including more than a dozen arguments before the California Supreme Court. He is considered by many in the industry as a scholar in appellate justice and leverages his keen insights to support clients’ immediate and long-term challenges in the appellate courts.


After many years as a partner, David is currently of counsel at the firm, which he joined in 1982. He has been published in a variety of legal publications, including several articles on hospital peer review committee confidentiality. David served two terms on the Appellate Advisory Committee for the Judicial Council of California, to which he was appointed by Chief Justice Ronald George. Also, at the invitation of Justice Joyce Kennard, he was a member of the Appellate Rules Revision Project Task Force, which spearheaded the first comprehensive revision of the California Rules of Court on appeals in almost 60 years. He is the primary writer for At the Lectern, the firm's blog covering the California Supreme Court.

David is a former president of the California Academy of Appellate Lawyers and has served as a lecturer in the Appellate Litigation Clinic at the University of California, Irvine School of Law.

Representative Matters

Guardianship of Saul H. (2022)
California Supreme Court reverses Court of Appeal, holding Horvitz & Levy's client is entitled to state court findings allowing him to apply to the federal government for Special Immigrant Juvenile status.

Dhillon v. John Muir Health (2018)
After California Supreme Court holds hospital's appeal was from an appealable order, California Court of Appeal reverses order requiring formal peer review of hospital medical staff's discipline of physician.

Nance v. Miser (2017)
Ninth Circuit reverses dismissal of Muslim prisoner’s religious liberty claims.

Transbay Auto Service, Inc. v. Chevron USA Inc. (2015)
Ninth Circuit reverses jury award under the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act.

Education

  • Loyola Law School of Los Angeles
    J.D., cum laude, 1980
  • Franklin & Marshall College
    B.A., with departmental honors, 1977

Clerkships

  • Justice and Presiding Justice Margaret J. Morris, California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Two (1980-1982)

Bar Admissions

  • California
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Professional Associations

Awards

  • CLAY award (California Lawyer Attorney of the Year) by Daily Journal (2023)
  • Top Verdicts by Daily Jounral (2022) 
  • The Best Lawyers in America by "Best Lawyer" (2022-2023)
  • “AV Preeminent” rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Super Lawyers (2011-2024)
  • Pamela E. Dunn Appellate Justice Award, Los Angeles County Bar Association (2012)
  • Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law Community Service Award (2010)
  • Angel Award, California Lawyer magazine (2007)

Publications