David Stupich is a dedicated business attorney at Johnson and Pope’s St. Petersburg office, known for his client-focused approach: “your business is my business.” With substantial experience in corporate and transactional law, David works as a trusted advisor to private clients, corporations, non-profits, and public institutions across various industries. His areas of focus span corporate counseling, contract review, employment matters, regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and dispute resolution. David’s clients value his ability to navigate complex legal issues across multiple jurisdictions and guide them through pivotal business decisions.
David’s practice covers a range of sectors, including education, healthcare, technology, software, transportation, manufacturing, and retail. His extensive litigation background includes representation in state and federal courts, appellate courts, and administrative agencies, ensuring that clients receive comprehensive support for all their legal needs.
Before joining Johnson and Pope, David was a partner at a prominent Indiana law firm, where he gained significant experience and industry knowledge. He earned a dual degree from the University of South Florida and later completed his legal studies at Indiana University (Bloomington).
Representative Experience
Business and Transactional
- Lead counsel for multinational software company as purchaser in an equity acquisition for an international software company. Coordinated due diligence with international legal team, drafted and negotiated acquisition documents and related ancillary documents.
- Lead counsel for midwestern insurance broker in sale of business assets.
- Lead counsel for purchaser in hybrid asset and equity acquisition of a transportation product manufacturer.
- Lead counsel for seller in asset sale of nursing home businesses.
- Represented transportation company in complex real estate exchange as part of major government grant.
- Represented seller in equity sale of internet service/telecommunications business to utility company.
- Represented seller in asset sale of mail sorting equipment business.
- Represented seller in asset sale of commercial container manufacturing company.
- Represented buyer in equity sale of aviation company (including licensed aircraft).
- Represented numerous lottery winners including winner of major Powerball jackpot.
- Represented entrepreneurs in multiple private equity transactions.
- Prepared numerous state and federal trademark applications as well as maintenance filings. Successfully overcame multiple trademark office actions including Section 2(d) refusals.
- Significant experience drafting and preparing corporate and business documents including, but not limited to, operating agreements, shareholders’ agreements, debt instruments, convertible debt instruments, security agreements, executive employment agreements, corporate governance documents, reorganization documents, buy-sell and option/call agreements, and other similar documents.
Business and Commercial Litigation
- Defended major health care provider in executive employment compensation dispute through trial and appeal.
- Obtained summary judgment for major public university in commercial business dispute involving international contractors with seven-figure demand.
- Obtained preliminary injunctive relief against shareholders in multi-state hospitality business dispute.
- Obtained summary judgment and injunctive relief for major public university in trademark dispute.
- Represented trademark owner in Lanham Act case resulting in favorable judgment to client and affirmative relief in federal district court.
- Represented institutional trustee in breach of trust suit involving seven-figure demand. The case resulted in favorable settlement.
- Defended business owner’s estate in complex shareholder dispute resulting in favorable settlement.
- Represented beneficiaries in complex breach of trust case resulting in favorable settlement.
- Defended major transportation company in personal injury case involving TBI claims resulting in favorable settlement.
- Obtained partial summary judgment in dispute over acquisition of medical practice resulting in favorable settlement.
- Obtained summary judgment in defamation case against employee of major public university.
- Obtained summary judgment in real estate ownership dispute for publicly traded transportation company.
- Recently obtained favorable ruling remanding commercial dispute to state court with an award of fees for client.
- Obtained summary judgment and dismissal in federal court for significant corporate client in premises liability case with seven-figure demand.
- Successfully opposed and defended numerous trademark opposition proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
Education
- Indiana University Maurer School of Law, Bloomington, IN
- Doctor of Jurisprudence, magna cum laude
- Honors: Order of the Coif, Dean’s List; ABI Medal of Excellence; Highest Grade Awards
- University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
- Master of Arts (History)/Bachelor of Arts (History/Classics), magna cum laude
- Honors: Rosemary O’Hara Annual Award and Judith O. Rosenkranz Annual Award
Professional Associations & Memberships
- Member of the Florida Bar and Indiana Bar
Interests
When David is not practicing law, he follows the 13-Time World Champion Green Bay Packers and the Milwaukee Brewers.