David Schaefer, an experienced litigator and co-chair of Dinsmore’s product liability practice group has been recognized as the 2022 Defense Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Kentucky Trial Court Review. David is based in the Firm’s Louisville, Kentucky office.

David earned the honor for his tireless work to earn a unanimous jury verdict for Hyundai Motor America and Hyundai Motor Company in March of 2022. The complex case was heard in state court in Prestonsburg, Kentucky and lasted nine days, included 25 pages of instruction and featured a series of expert witnesses. The jury had to consider the prosecution’s theory that the Hyundai SUV had a manufacturer’s defect or “bumper weld” which caused a separation and ultimately the crash.

David’s carefully crafted strategy resulted in a unanimous jury verdict that involved just 75 minutes of deliberation and ultimately rejected the Plaintiffs’ damages of $17,882,484. The jury held that injuries and fatalities in the Hyundai Tucson were caused by the driver of the Chevrolet Cruze, who had elevated levels of opioids in his system.  The verdict has survived post-trial motions and is being appealed.