About David Geffen
Experience
David G. Geffen is a former trial attorney, now devoted to mediation, teaching, and consulting.
In 1987, just out of law school, Mr. Geffen formed his own successful private practice and has not stopped moving since then.
From his first trial in 1989 to his last trial against Disney in 2013, Mr. Geffen has been known for taking challenging cases involving wide ranging issues of public importance - age, disability, gender, and sexual preference discrimination in employment, transportation, public accommodations, and housing; medical negligence; sexual harassment; retaliation; government fraud; and whistleblowing. Mr. Geffen was cocounsel on a case against a large public entity that resulted in a settlement valued at over $200 million and an agreement to build more than 4000 accessible units for low income housing. Having tried more than 70 cases, he earned a reputation as a fierce but fair advocate.
Mr. Geffen began his study of conflict resolution and his passionate appreciation for the art of negotiation in 1986, during an internship at Loyola Law School’s Family Mediation Clinic. A long time mediator for both the pro bono and pay panel of the Los Angeles Superior Court’s ADR program, as well as the Ventura Superior Court and United States District Court ADR Panel, Mr. Geffen has donated countless hours while broadening his understanding of conflict and perfecting his skills.
Mr. Geffen developed and now teaches a clinic as an Adjunct Professor at Loyola Law School, Los Angeles in mediation advocacy for claims filed with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing. He has partnered with the University of Southern California Gould School of Law to mentor students in mediation.
Education
David G. Geffen is a native of Southern California. He studied at University of California Santa Cruz before enrolling in the School for Public Communications at Boston University, earning a BS in Communications in 1982. In 1983, Mr. Geffen studied at UCLA’s Graduate School of Education, receiving an M.A. in Learning and Instruction in 1985. He attended Loyola Law School of Los Angeles, earning his juris doctor in 1986.
Law Practice Areas
Mr. Geffen’s advocacy in both state and federal court covers a wide variety of legal claims including employment, housing, and public access discrimination, partnership disputes and dissolutions, wage & hour law, products liability, and serious personal injury. Mr. Geffen’s experience also extends to contract disputes and administrative law proceedings. In addition, he has specialized knowledge of the nursing, cosmetics and apparel industries.
Public Service
A dedicated public servant, Mr. Geffen devotes extensive energy to the community through public education and non-profit work. Mr. Geffen was a Commissioner for the City of Santa Monica Disability Commission from 2011 - 2014. A two time President of the Board of the Disability Community Resource Center (formerly Westside Center for Independent Living), supporting peer-led programs and services in the elimination of economic, social, attitudinal and environmental barriers faced by people with disabilities. Mr. Geffen was also the President of the Board of the Paralysis Project of America which raised over $1 million to fund scientific and clinical studies that focus on spinal cord repair and regeneration. He also served for 5 years as a board member and officer of the Disability Rights Legal Center, formerly of Loyola Law School. An active Kiwanian, he is also a founding member of the board of ArtTrek, which provides art experiences and resources to K1-12 students and the Southern California community. He continues this work today.
Personal Journey
Throughout his days as a law student and in the early years of his practice, Mr. Geffen, who uses a wheelchair after a serious diving accident at 21, was accompanied by one of the country's first service dogs, trained to carry, open and close doors, pull his wheelchair, and retrieve any item.
Mr. Geffen is guided by his passion for helping people and spreading justice. His appreciation of the beautiful diversity of humankind encouraged Mr. Geffen to teach himself Spanish, and led him on his extensive travels throughout our own amazing country, as well as Mexico, Europe, Turkey, the Middle East, and Africa.
A talented writer, Mr. Geffen’s projects include short stories, three screenplays, and several articles for professional publications.
David G. Geffen is a former trial attorney, now devoted to mediation, teaching, and consulting.
In 1987, just out of law school, Mr. Geffen formed his own successful private practice and has not stopped moving since then.
From his first trial in 1989 to his last trial against Disney in 2013, Mr. Geffen has been known for taking challenging cases involving wide ranging issues of public importance - age, disability, gender, and sexual preference discrimination in employment, transportation, public accommodations, and housing; medical negligence; sexual harassment; retaliation; government fraud; and whistleblowing. Mr. Geffen was cocounsel on a case against a large public entity that resulted in a settlement valued at over $200 million and an agreement to build more than 4000 accessible units for low income housing. Having tried more than 70 cases, he earned a reputation as a fierce but fair advocate.
Mr. Geffen began his study of conflict resolution and his passionate appreciation for the art of negotiation in 1986, during an internship at Loyola Law School’s Family Mediation Clinic. A long time mediator for both the pro bono and pay panel of the Los Angeles Superior Court’s ADR program, as well as the Ventura Superior Court and United States District Court ADR Panel, Mr. Geffen has donated countless hours while broadening his understanding of conflict and perfecting his skills.
Mr. Geffen developed and now teaches a clinic as an Adjunct Professor at Loyola Law School, Los Angeles in mediation advocacy for claims filed with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing. He has partnered with the University of Southern California Gould School of Law to mentor students in mediation.
Education
David G. Geffen is a native of Southern California. He studied at University of California Santa Cruz before enrolling in the School for Public Communications at Boston University, earning a BS in Communications in 1982. In 1983, Mr. Geffen studied at UCLA’s Graduate School of Education, receiving an M.A. in Learning and Instruction in 1985. He attended Loyola Law School of Los Angeles, earning his juris doctor in 1986.
Law Practice Areas
Mr. Geffen’s advocacy in both state and federal court covers a wide variety of legal claims including employment, housing, and public access discrimination, partnership disputes and dissolutions, wage & hour law, products liability, and serious personal injury. Mr. Geffen’s experience also extends to contract disputes and administrative law proceedings. In addition, he has specialized knowledge of the nursing, cosmetics and apparel industries.
Public Service
A dedicated public servant, Mr. Geffen devotes extensive energy to the community through public education and non-profit work. Mr. Geffen was a Commissioner for the City of Santa Monica Disability Commission from 2011 - 2014. A two time President of the Board of the Disability Community Resource Center (formerly Westside Center for Independent Living), supporting peer-led programs and services in the elimination of economic, social, attitudinal and environmental barriers faced by people with disabilities. Mr. Geffen was also the President of the Board of the Paralysis Project of America which raised over $1 million to fund scientific and clinical studies that focus on spinal cord repair and regeneration. He also served for 5 years as a board member and officer of the Disability Rights Legal Center, formerly of Loyola Law School. An active Kiwanian, he is also a founding member of the board of ArtTrek, which provides art experiences and resources to K1-12 students and the Southern California community. He continues this work today.
Personal Journey
Throughout his days as a law student and in the early years of his practice, Mr. Geffen, who uses a wheelchair after a serious diving accident at 21, was accompanied by one of the country's first service dogs, trained to carry, open and close doors, pull his wheelchair, and retrieve any item.
Mr. Geffen is guided by his passion for helping people and spreading justice. His appreciation of the beautiful diversity of humankind encouraged Mr. Geffen to teach himself Spanish, and led him on his extensive travels throughout our own amazing country, as well as Mexico, Europe, Turkey, the Middle East, and Africa.
A talented writer, Mr. Geffen’s projects include short stories, three screenplays, and several articles for professional publications.