David Stupich is an experienced business attorney who helps clients tackle both the everyday and the extraordinary challenges that arise when running and growing a company. Drawing on a career that blends corporate transactions and complex litigation, David is known for combining a clear-eyed, practical approach with a commitment to helping clients plan for the long term.
David’s practice includes mergers and acquisitions, business formation, contract negotiation, and dispute resolution. Over his career, he has led transactions involving companies across industries—including technology, health care, manufacturing, education, and transportation—and regularly advises on corporate governance, intellectual property protection, and regulatory compliance.
Before joining Johnson Pope, David was a partner at a prominent Indiana law firm, where he spent over a decade advising businesses, non-profits, and private clients in numerous industries. His work frequently involved guiding clients through complex disputes in state and federal courts, as well as representing them in arbitrations, appeals, and administrative proceedings. Today, he uses his litigation experience to help clients spot problems before they happen and draft contracts that stand up under pressure.
Clients describe David as direct, approachable, and relentlessly practical. He believes in telling clients exactly where they stand—without exaggeration—and in finding solutions that reflect both their legal needs and business realities. He is particularly passionate about helping clients use lessons from litigation to build stronger contracts and governance structures, an approach that mitigates risk and helps prevent future disputes.
David holds a J.D., magna cum laude, from Indiana University (Bloomington), where recognized with numerous awards for academic excellence. He also holds undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of South Florida.
Representative Matters
- Multinational Software Acquisition. Lead counsel for a multinational software company acquiring an international software business. Coordinated due diligence with international counsel and negotiated all acquisition and ancillary documents.
- Insurance Broker Sale. Lead counsel for an insurance brokerage in the sale of business assets, including negotiation of transaction structure and documentation.
- Hybrid Asset and Equity Acquisition. Represented the purchaser in a combined asset and equity acquisition of a transportation product manufacturer.
- Nursing Home Transaction. Lead counsel for the seller in the asset sale of nursing home businesses.
Bar Admissions
- Florida, 2019
- Indiana, 2014
- United States District Court (Southern District of Florida)
- United States District Courts (Northern & Southern Districts of Indiana)
Education
- Indiana University Maurer School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2014
- University of South Florida, M.A., History, 2008
- University of South Florida, B.A., History & Classics, magna cum laude, 2006
Community & Professional Organizations
- The Florida Bar, 2019 – Present
- Member
- Indiana Bar, 2014 – Present
- Member
Outside the Office
Outside the office, David enjoys staying active and spending time with his beagles. A dedicated football fan, he never misses a Green Bay Packers game and loves watching as much football as he can. He also enjoys working on cars
Before becoming a lawyer, David spent more than a decade in the printing industry and has also worked for a Fortune 500 insurance company.
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Transportation Real Estate Exchange. Represented a transportation company in a complex real estate exchange connected to a major government grant project.
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Telecommunications Sale. Counsel to the seller in the equity sale of an internet service and telecommunications business to a utility company.
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Manufacturing Asset Sale. Represented the seller in an asset sale of a commercial container manufacturing company.
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Aviation Equity Acquisition. Counsel to the buyer in the equity acquisition of an aviation company, including licensed aircraft.
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Lottery Winner Representation. Advised numerous lottery winners, including the recipient of a major Powerball jackpot, on prize collection and anonymity strategies.
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Private Equity Transactions. Represented entrepreneurs in multiple private equity investments and transactions.
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Trademark Strategy and Disputes. Prepared and prosecuted numerous state and federal trademark applications, overcoming multiple office actions, including Section 2(d) refusals.
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Corporate Governance and Contracts. Drafted and negotiated a wide range of corporate documents, including operating agreements, shareholder agreements, debt and convertible debt instruments, security agreements, executive employment agreements, buy-sell agreements, and corporate reorganizations.
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Executive Compensation Litigation. Defended a major health care provider in an executive compensation dispute through trial and appeal.
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University Contract Dispute. Obtained summary judgment for a major public university in a business dispute involving international contractors with seven-figure claims.
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Hospitality Business Injunction. Secured preliminary injunctive relief against shareholders in a multi-state hospitality business dispute.
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Trademark Dispute Defense. Obtained summary judgment and injunctive relief in multiple trademark infringement cases.
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Lanham Act Litigation. Represented a trademark owner in federal court, resulting in favorable judgment and affirmative relief under the Lanham Act.
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Trust and Estate Litigation. Represented an institutional trustee in a seven-figure breach of trust case that resolved favorably.
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Shareholder Disputes. Defended a business owner’s estate in a complex shareholder dispute, securing a favorable settlement.
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Beneficiary Representation. Represented beneficiaries in a contested breach of trust action resulting in a favorable outcome.
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Transportation Injury Defense. Defended a major transportation company in a personal injury claim involving traumatic brain injury allegations, achieving a favorable settlement.
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Medical Practice Acquisition Dispute. Obtained partial summary judgment in a dispute over the acquisition of a medical practice, leading to settlement.
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Defamation Defense. Secured summary judgment in a defamation action against an employee of a major public university.
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Real Estate Ownership Dispute. Obtained summary judgment in a real estate dispute for a publicly traded transportation company.
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Premises Liability Defense. Achieved summary judgment and dismissal in federal court for a corporate client facing a seven-figure premises liability claim.
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Trademark Opposition Proceedings. Successfully opposed and defended numerous trademark disputes before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
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Commercial Dispute Remand. Secured a favorable ruling remanding a commercial dispute to state court and obtained an award of attorneys’ fees.
- Insurance Coverage Disputes. Successfully litigated and negotiated numerous claim denials under property, liability, and professional negligence policies.
- “Pardon the (Business) Interruption: Does Your Business Really Have Coverage?,” Johnson Pope, Authored, October 2024