David E. Grassmick

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Partner

Phone: 312-549-9384
Email: DGrassmick@CopeEhlers.com

David Grassmick is a former partner in the litigation group at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP, where he represented numerous private company and public company clients including insurance companies, in coverage disputes and other complex litigation matters at trial and on appeal. Representative types of litigation include insurance coverage, products liability, franchise litigation, Clean Water Act, CERCLA, intellectual property including Lanham Act, unfair and deceptive trade practices , civil rights involving Sections 1981, 1982 and 1983, Title VII, fraud, contracts, labor and employment including sexual harassment, and bankruptcy litigation, including 363 sales, debtor in possession financing, and fraudulent conveyance. He is adept at handling complex discovery issues in particular those involving possible spoliation claims. He has tried cases in state and federal court. He has participated in numerous mediations. In recent years, he has represented college faculty members at a variety of types of institutions in disciplinary and grievance proceedings.

Mr. Grassmick was a university professor, teaching speech, debate, and rhetorical studies before becoming a lawyer. He served as a law clerk to Justice Harold See, Alabama Supreme Court before entering private practice, and graduated in 2002 magna cum laude from the University of Illinois College of Law.

Experience

Cope Ehlers, P.C.

Partner

2018 - present

Of Counsel

2017

The Law Offices of Roger Higgins

Of Counsel

2016 - 2017

Sedgwick LLP

Of Counsel

2016

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Associate, Partner

2001-2002, 2003-2015

Supreme Court of Alabama

Law Clerk for Justice Harold See

Supreme Court of Alabama

2002-2003

University of Illinois

Department of Communication, College of Arts and Sciences

Instructor

2000-2002

Centre College

Chair, Speech and Rhetorical Studies Department

1996-1999

Marist College

Assistant Professor, Director of Debate, and Acting Dean

1993-1996

University of Richmond

Visiting Assistant Professor and Visiting Director of Debate

1993

University of Virginia

Director of Forensics and Instructor Department of Speech and Rhetorical Studies, Associate Football Academic Advisor

1983-1991

Education

J.D. University of Illinois College of Law, (magna cum laudeI) 2002

M.A., Foreign Affairs, University of Virginia, 1991

B.A., Foreign Affairs, University of Virginia, 1983

Bar and Court Admissions

Illinois

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Trial Bar, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

Supreme Court of the United States

Publications

• New Appleman Illinois Insurance Law Practice Guide (co-authored LexisNexis August 2019-2022)