David Harrington is a partner in Holland & Knight’s New York litigation group. Due to Mr. Harrington’s unique experience as a former U.S. Navy carrier-based aviator, his practice is primarily focused on aviation law, including accident investigation and litigation, although he is well versed in handling all types of complex civil litigation, including multi-district mass tort and product liability litigation.
Mr. Harrington has represented numerous companies, including foreign and domestic air carriers and aircraft manufacturers in complex civil litigation, in cases involving claims for wrongful death and personal injury, premises liability, breach of contract and breach of warranty. In addition, he has significant experience in handling accident investigations, complex liability issues, damages assessment and settlement negotiations. Mr. Harrington has taken a lead role in the settlement negotiations of more than 250 wrongful death cases arising from the 2001 American Airlines Flight 587 accident, the second-worst aviation disaster in U.S. history. He has also defended a foreign aircraft manufacturer in a military jet accident that involved the government-contractor defense. He is well versed on international treaties such as the Warsaw and Montreal Conventions. Mr. Harrington has also represented airline pilots, on behalf of an air carrier, in Federal Aviation Administration enforcement proceedings and has also worked with corporate aviation departments in various regulatory matters.
Mr. Harrington has extensive knowledge on National Transportation Safety Board investigation procedures and is very experienced with the Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act. Mr. Harrington was counsel for American Airlines during the NTSB investigation and litigation arising from the 1999 Flight 1420 accident at Little Rock, Arkansas, and most recently was counsel to UPS in the NTSB investigation of the DC-8 accident at Philadelphia International Airport that was the subject of an NTSB Public Hearing in July 2006. He has provided multiple air carriers with briefings on how to prepare for and what to expect during an NTSB investigation.
Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Harrington served in the United States Navy as a naval aviator, flying the F-14B Tomcat, as well as performing operational intelligence work for the Office of Naval Intelligence. Mr. Harrington also holds a commercial pilot’s license as well as an engineering degree.
Articles that Mr. Harrington has authored include “The Odd Man Out: An Air Carrier’s Obligation to Ground Victims Under the Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act,” and he has co-authored “Critical Cases: Significant Decisions in Aviation Litigation." He is also currently the co-editor of the ABA Section of Litigation, Aviation Litigation Newsletter.