J. David Rowe, PLLC is the co-managing partner of the Austin office, a member of MWM’s commercial litigation section, and a member of the firm’s executive committee. David brings nearly 30 years of trial experience representing clients in high-stakes, complex business litigation matters, and class actions. His experience includes prosecuting and defending complex commercial cases involving contract and statutory claims as well as fraud, business break-ups, partnership disputes, fiduciary duty, and other business torts. He also handles antitrust matters and class actions for both plaintiffs and defendants. He is also a certified mediator, having completed mediation training in accordance with the Texas Alternative Dispute Resolution Act.

Known for winning favorable verdicts, judgments, and appeals, David is a highly skilled trial lawyer representing clients that range from property and business owners to healthcare providers, technology companies, oil and gas companies, auto parts manufacturers, and water utilities.

Known for winning favorable verdicts, judgments, and appeals, David is a highly skilled trial lawyer representing clients that range from property and business owners to healthcare providers, technology companies, oil and gas companies, auto parts manufacturers, and water utilities.

David’s experience includes partnership and shareholder disputes, construction defect and payment disputes, copyright and trademark infringement, antitrust, civil RICO, landlord-tenant, trade secrets and unfair competition, covenants not to compete, breach of warranty, and securities fraud cases. This wealth of experience encompasses a wide variety of industries including real estate, automotive parts, government contracting, truck leasing, retail, video gaming, software development, telecommunications, mining, insurance, water treatment, oil and gas, after-market warranties, financial institutions, and health care.

David began his career as an associate in an international law firm, where he trained for more than a decade, gaining invaluable experience. In 2006, David joined an Austin-based law firm, where he honed his trial skills before joining MWM in 2021.

In addition to his litigation and mediation work, David also serves as an adjunct professor, teaching trial advocacy at the University of Texas School of Law where he graduated with honors and served on the editorial board of the Texas Law Review and as director of the Legal Research Board. Listed as a Texas Super Lawyer in business litigation and recognized by Best Lawyers in America, David brings considerable trial experience to MWM’s award- winning litigation section. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the Austin Bar Association, is admitted to practice in multiple Federal District and Appellate Courts, and is a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation.

  • In 425 Soledad v. CRVI Riverwalk, No. 23-0344 (Tex. 2024), David obtained a Judgment in favor of an office building owner after a two-week trial during which David convinced the Court that an unrecorded agreement allowing the building owner to use a nearby parking garage was enforceable against a subsequent purchaser of the garage who denied knowing about the agreement. David then co-authored the appellate briefs that persuaded the Texas Supreme Court to uphold the trial court’s judgment. (Opinion)
  • In Burnett v. National Association of Realtors, No. 19-CV-00332 (W.D. Mo. 2024) (and multiple related cases), David served as co-lead defense counsel for one of the real estate brokerages in a series of nationwide class action cases challenging NAR’s policy on commission sharing. David and team negotiated a favorable settlement that was approved over multiple objections. (Order)
  • In iGem Communications v. MAG DS Corp., No. 24-CV-5649 (S.D.N.Y. 2024), David is lead counsel for the plaintiff, which alleges it was damaged to the tune of $1.6 million+ by MAG DS’ breach of an agreement to pay for internet and SD-WAN services. David persuaded the Court to deny MAG DS’ Motion to Dismiss. (Opinion)
  • In O’Shaughnessy v. Young Living Essential Oils, No. 2:20-CV-00470 (D. Utah 2024), David is co-lead plaintiff’s counsel in a putative class action seeking to recover hundreds of millions of dollars against Young Living Essential Oils based on allegations that Young Living is running a pyramid scheme. David co-authored the briefing and/or presented oral argument that persuaded the trial Court to deny a series of defensive Motions, including Defendant’s Motion to Compel Arbitration (Order), Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss, and Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment. Defendant also co-authored the briefing that persuaded the Fifth Circuit to affirm denial of the Motion to Compel Arbitration. (Opinion)
  • In Matson v. NIBCO, Inc., No. 21-51151 (5th 2022), David served as co-lead plaintiff’s counsel in a class action alleging thousands of homeowners were damaged by defective plumbing systems. David and team negotiated a settlement valued at $8.1 million after which David co-authored briefing and presented oral argument that persuaded the trial Court to strike hundreds of opt-outs that had been coerced by another lawyer seeking to co-opt plaintiffs into joining his competing case (Order). David then co-authored briefing that persuaded the trial Court (Order) and Fifth Circuit (Opinion) to approve the settlement.
  • David served as co-lead counsel defending an auto maker in a putative class action alleging fraud.
  • As lead counsel for a publicly traded water treatment equipment manufacturer, David led the trial team that obtained a take-nothing judgment after a 3 1/2-week jury trial. Plaintiff had sought $60 million+ on claims of fraud, product defect, and breach of warranty, all of which were rejected.
  • David acted as lead counsel representing an auto parts supplier in one of the nation’s largest, multi-district, antitrust class action He led the team that negotiated a favorable settlement after aggressively defending claims.
  • As lead counsel for the purchaser of real estate who had been defrauded, David obtained a judgment on all claims after a week-long jury trial.
  • David served as co-lead counsel representing a subcontractor against the general contractor on a project involving construction of a solar power plant. A three-week arbitration hearing resulted in a multi-million dollar award for the client.
  • David was retained as lead counsel by an investor in a technology company. A former marketing contractor sued the company and the investor, alleging the investor caused the company to improperly terminate the marketing contract, resulting in the loss of $50 million+ in sales commissions. David asserted an aggressive defense, causing the Plaintiff to give up and file a voluntary dismissal that taxed the investor’s costs against the Plaintiff.
  • David was lead counsel for a closely held corporation in an action to enforce non-compete agreements against a group of former employees who left to form their own competing business. David obtained a temporary injunction enforcing the non- compete agreements after a week-long bench trial.
  • David acted as lead counsel for a closely held corporation in an action against a group of former employees who embezzled cash, then took trade secrets to form a new competitor. After an aggressive campaign, David negotiated a settlement that included return of stolen business and a five-year non-compete agreement.

Press Releases

Munck Wilson Mandala Litigation Team Secures $10 Million Settlement for Homeowners from Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

The case was brought on behalf of homeowners in the San Antonio metropolitan area and the Birmingham Alabama metropolitan area who owned homes built by D.R. Horton. The homes contained NIBCO PEX Pipe, a product reported to have manufacturing defects that led to massive leaks. Pursuant to the approved settlement, class members who previously have

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Press Releases

Munck Wilson Mandala Welcomes Litigation Partner David Rowe

“David has a very impressive background and enhances our litigation strength in the Central Texas region,” said Michael Rodriguez, MWM’s managing partner of the South Austin office.  “He is highly regarded in Austin legal circles and has an excellent track record handling all manner of disputes, including contract and statutory claims as well as business

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Press Releases

18 Munck Wilson Mandala Attorneys Named Texas Super Lawyers 2023

Munck Wilson Mandala congratulates 18 attorneys who have been recognized as Texas Super Lawyers for 2023. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Produced and managed by Thomson Reuters, the selection process involves independent research,

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Press Releases

Munck Wilson Mandala Presents Closing Argument on Behalf of Plaintiff in Quadvest v. San Jacinto River Authority 

Quadvest, L.P., is an investor-owned utility in Montgomery County, Texas who sued the San Jacinto River Authority for alleged antitrust violations related to a scheme by which SJRA collects fees from groundwater users like Quadvest and then uses those fees to build and operate a $500 million surface water treatment plant in direct competition with

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Press Releases

29 Munck Wilson Mandala Lawyers Named to 2025 Best Lawyers List

Lawyers on The Best Lawyers in America list are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They are reviewed by their peers based on professional expertise and undergo an authentication process to make sure they are in current practice and in good standing.  MWM is proud to have lawyers listed in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and

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Press Releases

18 Munck Wilson Mandala Attorneys Named Texas Super Lawyers

The annual Texas Super Lawyers list honors Texas’ top lawyers based on surveys of more than 57,000 active attorneys across the state. The final list is estimated to be only five percent of Texas’ licensed attorneys. Three MWM partners have been recognized for 20 years or more: Global Managing Partner William A. Munck and IP

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Press Releases

Munck Wilson Mandala Names Jessica McGlynn as Co-Managing Partner of Austin Office

Munck Wilson Mandala is pleased to announce that partner Jessica McGlynn has been named co-chair of the Austin Office, where she will serve alongside litigation partner David Rowe. With more than 30 years of experience in transactional law, McGlynn brings a wealth of expertise to her new leadership role. McGlynn is an integral part of

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Press Releases

David Rowe Expands Legal Practice as Certified Mediator

Munck Wilson Mandala is pleased to announce that David Rowe, co-managing partner of the firm’s Austin office and a seasoned trial attorney, is now a certified mediator. With 30 years of experience in high-stakes business litigation, David brings his extensive legal expertise to mediation, offering clients a skilled and strategic approach to resolving disputes outside

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University of Texas School of Law, JD, 1995

with honors

Book Review Editor, Texas Law Review
Legal Research Board Director

University of Oklahoma, BA, 1988

  • Adjunct Professor, University of Texas at Austin, School of Law, Trial Advocacy (2008-Present)
  • Director, Civil Litigation Section, Austin Bar Association (2005-2010)
  • Chair, Bench Bar Section, Austin Bar Association (2003-2005)

 

  • Best Lawyers in America
    2025
  • Texas Super Lawyer, Thomson Reuters
    2020 – 2024

Texas, 1995

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan