David Kargel

David Kargel is an attorney at Simmons Hanly Conroy, working out of the Alton office. He joined the firm in 2018, focusing his practice on pharmaceutical clients with an emphasis on cases involving opioids. His role focuses on covering all aspects of discovery and trial preparation for cases against pharmaceutical companies over the aggressive and fraudulent marketing and distribution of prescription opioid painkillers.

“In my role, the support I provide includes the efficient and effective production of our clients’ sensitive documents. This support also includes gathering valuable evidence directly for our clients’ cases, documents, and indirectly, through activities such as deposition preparation,” David said.

As part of a team, he works closely with the other attorneys and is a passionate and meticulous member. His attention to detail helps make sense of documents provided for the case. He also properly and efficiently produces clients’ documents as required. His past experience, as a software quality analyst and solo practice attorney, plays an important role in his current position and duties at the firm.

Fighting the Opioid Epidemic

David works on the firm’s discovery team in the ongoing National Prescription Opiates Multidistrict Litigation. The firm represents local governments across the country, alleging drug companies contributed to the opioid crisis by carelessly promoting painkillers and downplaying addiction risks.

He knows how crucial document review and preparation are in the litigation process, having participated on four of the opioid trials in the United States in Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania and Georgia. His drive and determination ensure evidence and documents are accurate and consistent for the attorneys in court.

Although David works behind the scenes, he understands the needs of the team’s clients and cares about each one.

“As a discovery attorney, I don’t interact directly with our clients, but I get to know them through their documents,” David said. “I treat them with the same level of care and respect as if they were sitting right across from me, and I work hard to find the evidence we need to hold these companies responsible for their actions.”

Background and Experience

David has been an attorney since 2008. Prior to becoming an attorney, he was a geographic systems analyst and then a software quality analyst. Both of these positions required careful attention to detail and understanding of complex problems which he uses those skills in his current role at the firm.

Once he graduated from law school, David practiced as a solo attorney primarily in debt collection defense and personal bankruptcy. He defended nearly 500 consumer cases. At the same time for the first two years, he also served as a volunteer attorney with the Legal Services of Eastern Missouri Elder Law Unit. In this volunteer position, David was involved in client counseling, legal research and drafting responses and proposals. He also has extensive experience as a document review attorney.

David graduated from St. Louis University Law School in 2008, where he was a St. Louis University School of Law Dean’s Scholar. His concentration was in urban development and land use. His undergraduate degree is from SIUE in geographical studies, where he also received a master’s degree in the same area of study.

Besides his volunteer attorney position, David also served as president of Chain of Rocks Community Association from 2011 to 2012, where he led bimonthly meetings and drafted and filed Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.