David F. Koehler

Mr. Koehler has handled all stages of litigation, including strategic assessment and planning, motion practice, discovery, expert development, trial and resolution.

He has successfully led multiple complex product liability jury trials, managing clients’ defense strategies across teams, firms and co-defendants. He also frequently argues expert, dispositive and evidentiary motions at trial.

In addition, Mr. Koehler has handled a variety of commercial tort and contract matters, as well as internal investigations and compliance issues.

Mr. Koehler’s representations prior to joining Skadden included:

• Roundup Product Liability Litigation: Acted as captain for numerous trial teams defending claims that a client’s herbicide caused plaintiffs’ non-Hodgkin lymphoma, resulting in a defense verdict and several highly favorable settlements
• In re Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Products Liability Litigation, MDL 2873 (D.S.C.): Served as workup counsel for a manufacturer in multidistrict litigation bellwether cases alleging that PFAS in drinking water required water providers to incur remediation, capital and operations and maintenance expenses, and caused plaintiffs to develop various forms of cancer. Also served on trial teams in various state court litigations alleging PFAS contamination from other sources
• In re Bair Hugger Forced Air Warming Devices Products Liability Litigation, MDL 2666 (D. Minn.): Served on trial teams and as workup counsel for a manufacturer of forced-air patient warming systems in product liability lawsuits alleging that the product caused periprosthetic joint infections in hip and knee replacement surgeries
• In re Covidien Hernia Mesh Products Liability Litigation No. 2, MDL 3029 (D. Mass): Served as trial captain for a medical device manufacturer in the first bellwether trial over a hernia mesh device, helping guide strategy on expert and pre-trial motions, handling argument on evidentiary and procedural issues, and leading the team’s overall trial strategy and execution
• Essure Product Liability Litigation: Served on the trial team and led the workup and defense of numerous cases in product liability litigation alleging injuries caused by a permanent contraceptive device
• In re Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) Products Liability Litigation, MDL 2592 (E.D. La.): Supported the trial team and led the workup and defense of individual claims in product liability litigation alleging injuries caused by a prescription blood thinner
• Arkansas Nuclear One Litigation: Served on the defense team for a multinational energy and industrial contractor in lawsuits alleging commercial damage, wrongful death and personal injuries arising from the failure of a temporary overhead crane assembly at an Arkansas nuclear power plant
• Served as first- and second-chair trial counsel and obtained verdicts in clients’ favor in state and federal jury and bench trials in commercial disputes and tort litigation

In recognition of his work, Mr. Koehler has been repeatedly named one of Best Lawyers’ Ones to Watch in America.

Mr. Koehler has worked extensively on pro bono matters, including a federal class action against the state of Georgia on behalf of public school students with disabilities. He also regularly partners with Legal Aid of Arkansas on matters, including helping obtain guardianships over minor children and disabled adults, as well as seal the criminal records of misdemeanor offenders who have complied with statutory requirements to aid in obtaining housing and gainful employment. In addition, he has represented prisoners in civil rights actions in federal court and assisted veterans seeking a military discharge upgrade or correction.