1. Home
  2. |Professionals
  3. |David Kempen

David Kempen

Associate
Associate
ZGtlbXBlbkBjcm93ZWxsLmNvbQ==
VCardLinkedIn
VCardLinkedIn

Areas of Focus

Overview

David Kempen is a litigation associate in Crowell & Moring LLP’s San Francisco office with a practice concentrated on tort, personal injury, and complex commercial litigation. He represents corporate clients in high-stakes disputes in both state and federal courts.

David has significant experience defending against product liability claims, including cases involving design defects and failure-to-warn allegations for manufacturers of consumer and industrial products. He regularly handles litigation involving serious personal injury and wrongful death claims for corporate clients in the manufacturing, retail, and logistics sectors.

In his commercial litigation practice, David represents companies in disputes arising from contract breaches, labor and employment matters, and union-related litigation. His approach is practical and business-minded, focusing on efficient resolution and risk mitigation.

David previously clerked for the Hon. Charles R. Breyer, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, and the Hon. Sean P. Dabel, Superior Court of San Mateo County.

Career & Education

    • University of California, Hastings College of the Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2022
    • Hofstra University, B.S., 2017
    • University of California, Hastings College of the Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2022
    • Hofstra University, B.S., 2017

    • California
    • California

    • Judicial Law Clerk, Hon. Charles R. Breyer, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, 2022
    • Judicial Law Clerk, Hon. Sean P. Dabel, Superior Court of San Mateo County, California, 2021
    • Judicial Law Clerk, Hon. Charles R. Breyer, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, 2022
    • Judicial Law Clerk, Hon. Sean P. Dabel, Superior Court of San Mateo County, California, 2021

David's Insights

Client Alert | 4 min read | 09.02.26

The CSC Is Investigating: What Its New NIL Enforcement Memo Means for Institutions

On August 20, 2026, the College Sports Commission (CSC) released a memorandum outlining how its Department of Investigations (DOI) is approaching enforcement of name, image, and likeness (NIL); revenue sharing; and roster limit rules. The memo signals that the CSC’s enforcement apparatus is fully operational and that Division I institutions should prepare for direct investigative engagement....

View All Insights

Representative Matters

  • Served as second-chair counsel representing a leading power tool manufacturer, defeating claims that the products were defectively designed and inadequately warned.
  • Defended a logistics company in wrongful death matter, achieving a favorable outcome.
  • Represented a national grocery store in premises liability actions involving catastrophic injuries.

David's Insights

Client Alert | 4 min read | 09.02.26

The CSC Is Investigating: What Its New NIL Enforcement Memo Means for Institutions

On August 20, 2026, the College Sports Commission (CSC) released a memorandum outlining how its Department of Investigations (DOI) is approaching enforcement of name, image, and likeness (NIL); revenue sharing; and roster limit rules. The memo signals that the CSC’s enforcement apparatus is fully operational and that Division I institutions should prepare for direct investigative engagement....

View All Insights

Practices

David's Insights

Client Alert | 4 min read | 09.02.26

The CSC Is Investigating: What Its New NIL Enforcement Memo Means for Institutions

On August 20, 2026, the College Sports Commission (CSC) released a memorandum outlining how its Department of Investigations (DOI) is approaching enforcement of name, image, and likeness (NIL); revenue sharing; and roster limit rules. The memo signals that the CSC’s enforcement apparatus is fully operational and that Division I institutions should prepare for direct investigative engagement....

View All Insights