Atty. David D. Cardone

Atty. David D. Cardone

David is a founding partner of Dunn DeSantis Walt & Kendrick, LLP. For over a decade, his practice in Southern California has included business and corporate representation, commercial litigation, including class action and employment matters of all types, and professional liability defense.

San Diego San Diego 23 yrs experience 23 year
Call (619) 573-4488 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About David D. Cardone at a glance

David D. Cardone is a business and litigation attorney based in San Diego, California, practicing at Dunn DeSantis Walt & Kendrick LLP. They have 23+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2003. Admitted to practice in California (2003). Educated at Duquesne University (JD, 2003) and Penn State (BA, 1999). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management (2026). Serands clients in San Diego, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • David is a founding partner of Dunn DeSantis Walt & Kendrick, LLP. For over a decade, his practice in Southern California has included business and corporate representation, commercial litigation, including class action and employment matters of all types, and professional liability defense
  • He regularly appears in California trial and appellate courts
  • He also regularly represents and counsels businesses on strategic, non-litigation and risk management matters.From 2006-2008, David served as one of six judicial law clerks to Justice Cynthia A. Baldwin of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
  • In that role, David worked on dozens of majority and collateral opinions, reviewed and recommended the disposition of scores of petitions for allocatur, which is the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s discretionary review mechanism, and attended over 100 oral arguments.Prior to his clerkship, David practiced in both Pennsylvania and Los Angeles, where he was primarily involved in large-scale commercial insurance coverage litigation
  • David has authored legal articles on topics such as the First Amendment rights of third-party political candidates and an assessment of appellate practice as a distinct legal practice area
  • He regularly authors articles for the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel’s Verdict magazine.David has taught advanced legal writing, trial tactics, and litigation tactics courses at multiple law schools, and he has been involved in judging numerous collegiate and law school mock trial and moot court competitions since 2003.David has been recognized as a Practitioner Contributor to the Abridged 9th Edition of Black’s Law Dictionary
  • He volunteers for the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ Pro Bono Program
  • David is actively involved in the Penn State and Duquesne University alumni associations and volunteers to counsel students interested in attending these schools.From 2011 through 2015, David served on the board of directors of the San Diego Defense Lawyers and as the editor of its quarterly publication, The Update
  • In 2015, David was recognized in the San Diego Business Journal’s “Best of the Bar” list

Practice Areas Explained

David D. Cardone's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases David D. Cardone handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Business & Corporate Law

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

David D. Cardone is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in California →

Civil Litigation

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

David D. Cardone is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in California →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in California

Practicing law in California. Legal matters in California are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in San Diego are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate California state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in California brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in California courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in San Diego or all attorneys in California.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about David D. Cardone

Where is David D. Cardone's law office located?
David D. Cardone's law practice is located in San Diego, California. The firm is Dunn DeSantis Walt & Kendrick LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does David D. Cardone handle?
David D. Cardone focuses on business, litigation. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in California.
How long has David D. Cardone practiced law?
David D. Cardone has 23+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 2003.
Where did David D. Cardone go to law school?
David D. Cardone earned their education at (JD, 2003); (BA, 1999).
How can I contact David D. Cardone for a consultation?
You can contact David D. Cardone directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has David D. Cardone received?
David D. Cardone's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation; Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:; Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management; Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Construction; Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment.

Practice Areas

Education

JD
Duquesne University
- 2003
BA
Penn State
- 1999

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Construction
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Transportation Law
- 2026

Bar Admissions

California
Admitted: 2003

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