First Admitted: 2001, California

Bar/Professional Activity:

Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):

A San Bernardino jury rendered a complete defense verdict in favor of LA Fitness following a three-week trial. The plaintiff alleged wrongful termination, disability discrimination, and retaliation. The plaintiff asked to jury to award $2.9 million in damages., 2021
In September 2022, a Los Angeles jury awarded Mr. Sugden’s clients $9,000,000 in a breach of contract case wherein Mr. Sugden’s client alleged that the defendants (and cross-complainants) failed to pay for goods delivered. The defendants and cross-complainants alleged the goods were defective and non-conforming. Mr. Sugden’s clients prevailed on all claims and successfully defended all claims alleged in defendants’ cross-complaint., 2022
In May 2024, Dave Sugden secured a $6.7 million verdict and judgment in a two-week jury trial in Orange County for fraud and breach of contract for Ten-X. , 2024
Mr. Sugden obtained a unanimous defense verdict on behalf of loanDepot in significant sexual harassment / constructive discharge case in February 2025. Ms. Richards filed her complaint in September 2021 and publicized her case through the New York Times (here). Plaintiff's final settlement demand before trial was $23 million and her counsel advised the jury during voir dire they would be seeking $40 million. Mr. Sugden was brought into the case a few months before trial, and the trial lasted three weeks. After less than two hours of deliberation, the jury returned a unanimous defense verdict. , 2025

Videos:

Evidence at Trial is about a community of lawyers devoted to mastering the tools of litigation. From blog articles and online courses to live events, Evidence at Trial is passionate about helping attorneys develop and improve their individual practice., Evidence at Trial, Legal, 2024

Special Licenses/Certifications:

David Sugden is now licensed in Texas and New York (in addition to California) , 2023

Honors/Awards:

Since 2003, The Trial Attorneys has identified the top litigation and trial lawyers across the country. Each June The Trial Attorneys selects just one leading attorney in each state to appear in its directory. This past June, The Trial Attorneys selected Dave Sugden as its sole recommended attorney for California for 2023/2024., California Trial Lawyer of the Year, The Trial Attorneys, 2024
Mr. Sugden spoke at Trial Lawyer's University (Las Vegas) and scheduled to speak at its convention in Huntington Beach in June on trial strategies and tactics. , Trial Lawyers University, https://triallawyersuniversity.com/, 2024

Educational Background:

Other Outstanding Achievements:

For several years, David Sugden has operated Evidence at Trial (https://www.evidenceattrial.com/) which provides articles, free videos, and on-demand CLE courses for attorneys wanting to learn the rules of evidence and trial strategies. , 2024

David Sugden