David C. Dziengowski litigates complex employment and executive compensation disputes in courts and arbitral forums throughout the country. David brings a diverse skill set to any case, having tried complex disputes, led internal investigations, and argued high-risk issues on appeal in federal courts. By developing practical and effective solutions, David regularly helps clients navigate through their most sensitive matters.
In addition to his litigation and investigation practice, David routinely advises clients on restrictive covenant, trade secret, whistleblowing, and retaliation matters. He has experience in structuring and drafting employment, arbitration, non-competition, non-solicitation, and separation agreements. David also represents employers in discrimination and harassment matters and investigates claims of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. He routinely advises employers on performance management matters and c-suite separations. A Commander in the US Navy Reserve, David is uniquely situated to advise employers on all matters under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). Prior to joining Morgan Lewis, David litigated sensitive white collar criminal matters and diverse commercial disputes in the litigation department of a prominent national law firm.
David served on active duty in the US Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps from 2009 until 2014. He continues to serve, now as a Commander and Preliminary Hearing Officer in the US Navy Reserve. His body of work includes representation of numerous sailors and Marines at courts-martial and before administrative boards, the US Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and the US Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals. In his role as Navy appellate defense counsel, David overturned two convictions and successfully defended an interlocutory appeal. David also taught law at the US Naval Academy and served as a Rule of Law Field Support Officer in the Arghandab River Valley of Kandahar, Afghanistan.
David’s pro bono work includes representation of criminal defendants with the Innocence Project and veterans before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.
David serves on the Community Council of Hope for the Warriors. He served as the vice chair of the Philadelphia office’s pro bono committee for the 2018–2019 year.
Recipient, 2022 Veterans of Influence Award, Philadelphia Business Journal
Recipient, 2019 Excellence in Pro Bono Service Award
Member, Foreign Policy Research Institute
Member, Federal Bar Association
Member, Practice Group of the Year, Employment, Law360 (2017, 2019)
Member, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 3150
Member, American Legion, Post 38
Member, Community Council, Hope for the Warriors
Member, Historical Society of Haddonfield
Commander, US Navy Reserve, Judge Advocate General’s Corps (2008–present)
Recipient, Military Justice Officer of the Year, US Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps (2013)
Henry J. Raimondo Legislative Fellowship, Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University (2007–2008)