"> S. David Fineman | Fineman Krekstein & Harris P.C. | 215-893-8701

S. David Fineman

Throughout his career, David has counseled individuals, business owners and government employees on commercial litigation, business disputes, public finance, real estate and tax issues.

A seasoned litigator with experience working in the government, corporate and private sectors, David brings to his clients a wealth of experience handling a variety of business and legal matters.

Having served as special counsel to various federal, state and local municipal candidates and elected officials, David frequently advises clients on how to navigate the court systems, political landscape and inner workings of government. He often serves as local coordinating counsel on cases where an understanding of the Philadelphia rules and systems are necessary to provide zealous representation.

Representative Matters

  • Only six weeks before trial, David Fineman was called upon to serve as lead defense counsel in the Jessica Savitch case, involving tens of millions of dollars in claims over the tragic death of the national news anchor. He immediately grasped what was needed to get the defense on the right course, directed extensive investigations, and prior to trial was at the cutting edge in testing the case with mock jury trials. Using that information, among other things, the defense was able to settle the case at the courthouse door for a number far below what would have been possible just two months earlier.  After this success, he lectured legal groups, insurance organizations and others on the use of mock jury trials and jury selection techniques.
  • Represented the Philadelphia Parking Authority in a series of disputes brought by various parking garage operators, successfully establishing case law that the Authority was a local agency subject to governmental immunity. In the case itself, the Authority was successfully defended through that immunity defense.
  • Represented property owners and a civic association in a complex zoning dispute that was litigated over a four year period. The dispute involved interpretations of the Philadelphia Zoning Code concerning special medicalized uses of foster homes, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Act and the United States Constitution.  Our clients’ position prevailed.
  • Represented the Independent Regulatory Review Commission in a constitutional challenge to its existence. While winning on procedural grounds, the constitutionality of the Commission’s existence remains in tact.
  • In addition to the foregoing examples, David Fineman has represented a wide range of public authorities and has advised and represented public officials, both for litigation and administrative purposes.
  • Represented a major insurance carrier in a bad faith claim obtaining a defense verdict after trial
  • Represented some of the largest commercial real estate owners before the Board of Revision of Taxes in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties in obtaining large reductions in their taxes

Education

  • J.D., George Washington University
    With Honors
  • B.S., The American University

Bar and Court Admissions

  • Pennsylvania
  • U.S. Supreme Court United States Third Circuit Court of Appeals
  • Unites States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Memberships

  • American Bar Association
  • Philadelphia Bar Association
  • ULI, Philadelphia Chapter, Public Policy Committee, co-chair

Community/Civic Involvement

  • American University, School of Public Affairs, Advisory Committee, member
  • Temple University Fox School of Business and Management, adjunct professor, business law
  • Lower Merion School Foundation Board

Honors/Awards

  • Selected for inclusion on the 2006 – 2019 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers® lists

  • Selected to “Who’s Who in the World,”

  • Selected to “Who’s Who in America,”

  • Selected to “Who’s Who of Emerging Leaders in America,”

  • Selected to “Who’s Who in American Law,”

  • Selected by the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County as one of 40 lawyers to serve as Judge Pro Tempore, 1991

  • Selected by the United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, as a member of its Court-Annexed Early Mediation Program, 1990 Given an “AV” rating by Martindale Hubbell, the highest rating provided by the national legal directory.

Appointments/Elections

  • Commissioner, Pennsylvania Independent Regulatory Review Commission, 2009-present
  • Chair of the Board of Governors, U.S. Postal Service, 2003-2005
  • Governor Edward Rendell’s Transition Team, member, 2003-2004
  • Mayor Edward Rendell’s Intergovernmental Task Force, member, 1999
  • Board of Governors, U.S. Postal Service, 1995-2005
  • Industry Policy Advisory Committee, a CEO-level committee that advises the Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative on international trade, 1994-1997
  • Secretary of Banking of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, special counsel, 1993-1995
  • Insurance Commissioner of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, special counsel, 1993-1995
  • Philadelphia Planning Commission, member, 1991-1993
  • Mayor W. Wilson Goode’s Transition Team, member, 1987