Atty. David Goodwin

Atty. David Goodwin

David Goodwin is a lawyer practicing corporate & incorporation, business, real estate and 13 other areas of law. David received a A.B. degree from University of California, Santa Cruz in 1974, and has been licensed for 73 years.

San Francisco San Francisco 73 yrs experience 73 year
Call (628) 284-8247 Book Appointment

Business & More Attorney · Serving San Francisco, CA · 73+ Years Experience

Profile Summary

About David Goodwin at a Glance

David Goodwin is a Partner based in San Francisco, California, practicing at Covington & Burling LLP. They have 73+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1953. Their practice focuses on formation, trusts, estate planning, business, and real estate. Admitted to practice in Pennsylvania (1953) and California (1982). Educated at Stanford Law School (J.D. Stanford, 1982) and University of California, Santa Cruz (A.B. University, 1974). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Serves clients in San Francisco, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated October 2026

About David Goodwin

  • David Goodwin is a lawyer practicing corporate & incorporation, business, real estate and 13 other areas of law
  • David received a A.B. degree from University of California, Santa Cruz in 1974, and has been licensed for 73 years
  • David practices at Covington & Burling LLP in San Francisco, CA

Practice Areas Explained

David Goodwin's Areas of Legal Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases David Goodwin handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in San Francisco.

Business Formation in San Francisco

David Goodwin is one of 35,326 formation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse formation attorneys in California →

Trusts in San Francisco

David Goodwin is one of 103,428 trusts attorneys indexed nationally. Browse trusts attorneys in California →

Estate Planning & Probate in San Francisco

An estate planning attorney prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives to protect your family and pass on your assets.

David Goodwin is one of 224,789 estate planning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse estate planning attorneys in California →

Business & Corporate Law in San Francisco

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

David Goodwin is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in California →

Real Estate Law in San Francisco

Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.

David Goodwin is one of 313,729 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in California →

Jurisdictional Context

Why Local Counsel Matters in San Francisco

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 Francisco 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 venue, 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.

San Francisco Courts and Legal Process

Choosing a San Francisco-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.

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

Frequently Asked

Common Questions About David Goodwin

Where is David Goodwin's law office located?
David Goodwin's law practice is located in San Francisco, California. The firm is Covington & Burling LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does David Goodwin handle?
David Goodwin focuses on formation, trusts, estate planning, business, real estate. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in California.
How long has David Goodwin practiced law?
David Goodwin has 73+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1953.
Where did David Goodwin go to law school?
David Goodwin earned their education at (J.D. Stanford, 1982); (A.B. University, 1974).
How can I contact David Goodwin for a consultation?
You can contact David Goodwin 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 Goodwin received?
David Goodwin's notable recognition includes: AV Preeminent.

Professional Profile

Why Clients in San Francisco Choose David Goodwin

Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish David Goodwin's practice in the field of formation, trusts, estate planning, business, and real estate.

Decade-Tested Legal Experience

David Goodwin brings 73+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.

Multi-State Bar Admission

Licensed in Pennsylvania and California, David Goodwin can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.

Broad Practice Area Coverage

Covering formation, trusts, and estate planning, David Goodwin can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.

Local Presence in San Francisco

A San Francisco-based practice means David Goodwin attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.

Case Types

Common Legal Issues David Goodwin Handles in San Francisco

Below is a representative sample of the types of matters David Goodwin has experience with under California law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.

Last wills and testaments
Estate Planning
Revocable living trusts
Estate Planning
Powers of attorney
Estate Planning
Probate proceedings
Estate Planning
Business formation and structure
Business
Contract drafting and review
Business
Partnership disputes
Business
Merger and acquisition support
Business
Residential property transactions
Real Estate
Commercial lease disputes
Real Estate
Title and deed issues
Real Estate
Landlord-tenant conflicts
Real Estate

This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact David Goodwin directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.

Search Reference

How People Find David Goodwin Online

Prospective clients searching for legal help in San Francisco commonly use a combination of the attorney's name and their specific legal need. The following search terms frequently lead people to this profile and to attorneys like David Goodwin.

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If any of the above matches what you searched for, you've found the right profile. Use the contact options at the top of this page to get in touch with David Goodwin directly.

Education & Law School Background

J.D. Stanford
Stanford Law School
- 1982
A.B. University
University of California, Santa Cruz
- 1974

Awards & Professional Honors

AV Preeminent

Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions

Pennsylvania
Admitted: 1953
California
Admitted: 1982

Client Reviews & Ratings — David Goodwin

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