Trial Lawyer David K. TeSelle is a Colorado and Arizona licensed attorney who has successfully tried numerous cases to jury verdicts in both state and federal court, as well as private arbitration. Mr. TeSelle was a lead counsel in 2019 on one of the largest personal injury jury verdicts in Arizona history ($58.5 million). He has also successfully battled the largest banks in the world including in litigation related to the 2008 economic collapse (the so-called “Big Short” cases) and regularly represents numerous plaintiffs in large class action and mass tort actions against corporate bad actors, large and small. Mr. TeSelle has represented both plaintiffs and defendants, and his focus is on complex trial litigation. Mr. TeSelle has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for his clients.
At Burg Simpson, Mr. TeSelle is a Preferred Shareholder and Leader of Burg Simpson’s Complex Commercial Trial Team. His team includes over a dozen of the best trial lawyers in the country.
Mr. TeSelle’s primary practice areas include: Complex Commercial Litigation; “Bet Your Business” Litigation; Catastrophic Injuries; Mass Torts; Class Action; Shareholder, Partnership and LLC Member Disputes; Fiduciary Duty Violations; Construction Defects; Securities; Insurance Bad-Faith; COVID-19 Business Interruption Claims, Lender Liability; Shareholder Derivative Actions
Mr. TeSelle also represents and provides guidance to state and federal whistleblowers under the False Claims Act (so-called Qui Tam actions) when they expose fraud against the state and federal government.
Mr. TeSelle is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, has been repeatedly recognized in Best Lawyers in America (including achieving Best Lawyers-Lawyer of the Year status in 2017), Colorado Super Lawyers, is a fellow in the Litigation Counsel of America, maintains a 10.0 AVVO rating, and has been honored as a Top 100 Trial Attorney by the National Trial Lawyers Association (of which he is Past President of the National Trial Lawyers Business Torts section).
Mr. TeSelle was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, grew up in Reading, Pennsylvania, and has lived in Colorado for the past twenty years. Mr. TeSelle graduated from Columbia College of Columbia University in New York, NY in 1991. Mr. TeSelle received his law degree from Pennsylvania State University (f/k/a The Dickinson School of Law) in 1994.
Honors & Accolades
Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year 2017,” Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Plaintiffs, Denver
Nation’s Top One Percent 2015, National Association of Distinguished Counsel
Selected to Best Lawyers in America, 2013-2020
Selected to Colorado Super Lawyers, 2012-2018 and 2020
Top 100 Attorney, The National Trial Lawyers
AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
AVVO 10.0 Rating
Senior fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
President, National Trial Lawyers Business Tort Trial Lawyers Association
Publications & Media
6/11/2020: Business Interruption Insurance Claims
David TeSelle interviewed by the Denver Channel - TV 7 about business interruption insurance claims due to COVID-19.
2020: Short Informational and Promotional Videos
•Bet the Company Litigation, 2020
•Biological Resource Center Case, 2020
•Qui Tam, 2020
3/30/2020: Colorado Body Part Scheme Results in Indictment, Burg Simpson Continues Cases
David TeSelle interviewed by Law Week Colorado about the Sunset Mesa Body Broker Case
December 12, 2019, Burgsimpson.com. “There is More Work to be Done to Protect Consumers from Body Brokers.
December 11, 2019: David K. TeSelle interviewed by The Daily Show regarding the $58 million verdict in the Biological Resource Center case in Arizona.
November 2019: CBS TV News 5 -Arizona, Opening Statement by trial lawyer, David K. TeSelle
November 20, 2019: Contact 7 Chief Investigative Reporter Tony Kovaleski interview regarding $58 Million Verdict in the Body Parts Case
November 19, 2019: Jury Awards a $58.5 Million Verdict in the Body Parts Case
May 10, 2019: David TeSelle interviewed by Contact 7 Chief Investigative Reporter Tony Kovaleski regarding Sunset Mesa Funeral Home
Tainted Wine Series: David TeSelle and other Burg Simpson attorneys detail the facts about the case, as well as the significance of the class action lawsuit against California winemakers.
March 19, 2015: Fox News in Los Angeles, California reports on the arsenic in wine lawsuit Burg Simpson filed in California Superior Court on March 19, 2015, which features David TeSelle speaking at the press conference held to announce the lawsuit.
March 19, 2015: On March 19, 2015 Burg Simpson filed a lawsuit in California Superior Court alleging that certain California wineries are violating state law by knowingly producing, marketing and selling arsenic contaminated wine and failing to warn consumers about the potential danger. David TeSelle, along with shareholder Michael Burg, represent Burg Simpson at the press conference held announcing this lawsuit.
December 14, 2014: David TeSelle explains on this Ring of Fire episode, how big box retail stores are gaming everything from labor laws to environmental standards through their campaign donations.
August 19, 2014: David TeSelle explains on Ring of Fire how pro-troop charities are being used to fund Tea Party candidates.
September 30, 2013: Portions of the Affordable Care Act will begin to take effect very soon, and the same people who helped draft the bill are already lining their pockets thanks to their inside knowledge of the law. David talks about it with Ring of Fire guest host Farron Cousins.
September 2, 2013: David talks about the new Wall Street democrats with Ring of Fire host Mike Papantonio and attorney Howard Nations.
July 11, 2013: America’s middle class has been squeezed by corporations to the point that they are disappearing. Wages have been slashed, benefits are gone, and healthcare costs are skyrocketing. David speaks with Ring of Fire host Mike Papantonio about it.
June 21, 2013: Across the country, there is a growing disconnect between the political ideology of state legislatures, and the voters who put them in power. Thanks to gerrymandering, progressive majorities are being shut out. Ring of Fire host Mike Papantonio discusses the problem with David Teselle.
June 5, 2013: Citizens United opened the doors for unlimited corporate money to influence our election process. Because of that, we’re left with elected officials that are completely obedient to a few billionaire donors. David TeSelle discusses this on the Ring of Fire Radio show.
May 21, 2013: For decades, lobbyists have helped influence politicians with corporate money. But now, they’ve found an even better way to deliver for corporate America - by getting appointed to high ranking positions WITHIN the administration. Ring of Fire host Mike Papantonio talks with David Teselle.
April 28, 2013: Watch David’s video about the continued assault on government whistleblowers with Mike Papantonio on Ring of Fire Radio.
March 11, 2013: Attorney David TeSelle Ahead of Banking Suits. Read the recent Law Week Colorado article.
February 19, 2013: Watch David TeSelle’s recent video on the S&P lawsuit, and how the ratings agencies contributed to the economic collapse of 2008.
“Commercial Litigation as a ‘Hedge’ Against the Business and Political Risks of Mass Tort and Personal Injury Practice” - Trial Lawyer Magazine, Volume 3, Number 1, 2013.
Teaching Positions
Adjunct Faculty, University of Denver Sturm College of Law
