
David DaPonte is a litigator with a focus on advocating for his clients in class action cases. David is currently representing a class of individuals suffering from the life-threatening disease hepatitis C against Centene Corporation, Inc., for failing to provide members of the class with the cure that would save their lives—Harvoni. He is also representing third-party payors (medical insurers) who have paid as much as 80% of the estimated $3 billion costs of carcinogen-tainted Valsartan and the untainted replacement doses of recalled Valsartan.
Before joining Rivero Mestre, David earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Public Administration in Political Science from the University of Central Florida. He then earned his Juris Doctor at Florida International University College of Law. While there, he was a member of the Moot Court Team, competing in the 2016 Price International Media Law Competition in New York (where he was a quarterfinalist) and the 2017 ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition in Boston. David was also a semifinalist in the 2015 FIU Intramural Moot Court Competition.
Prior to law school, David worked for the Florida House of Representatives as a legislative assistant, where he drafted, and presented, legislation and regularly communicated with constituents in the district. David also was an adjunct professor of Student Success at Valencia College in Orlando.
Recognitions & Honors
Named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Commercial Litigation, 2022
Selected to Florida Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2021
Education
Florida International University College of Law, J.D., 2017
University of Central Florida, M.A. in Public Administration, 2010; B.A. in Political Science, 2008
Admissions
Florida Bar, 2017
United States District Court, Southern District of Florida
United States District Court, Middle District of Florida
United States District Court, Central District of Illinois
United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit