With more than 20 years of experience in complex securities and financial-services litigation, David J. Goldsmith has been recognized by Lawdragon as “among the leading plaintiff financial lawyers nationwide” and twice recommended in the securities-litigation field by The Legal 500.

A member of Schlam Stone & Dolan’s structured-finance litigation team, David currently represents a large European bank in a series of litigations against the trustees and underwriters of more than $1.5 billion of residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS). David also handles and advises in various commercial litigation and appellate matters.

An accomplished appellate practitioner, David has handled multiple appeals in federal securities law cases, including arguments in the Second, Third, and Ninth Circuit Courts of Appeals and cases in appellate courts in New York, Illinois and Pennsylvania. Notable decisions include In re The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. Securities Litigation, 20 F.4th 131 (2d Cir. 2021), Haynes v. Universities Superannuation Scheme Ltd. (In re Petrobras Securities Litigation), 828 F. App’x 754 (2d Cir. 2020), Haynes v. Tizatto (In re Petrobras Securities Litigation), 786 F. App’x 274 (2d Cir. 2019), and Pappas v. Bank of America 401(k) Plan for Legacy Companies, 526 F. App’x 785 (9th Cir. 2013). In the Supreme Court of the United States, David acted as co-counsel for AARP and AARP Foundation as amici curiae in China Agritech, Inc v. Resh, 138 S. Ct. 1800 (2018), and as co-counsel for a group of federal jurisdiction and securities law scholars as amici curiae in Cyan, Inc. v. Beaver County Employees Retirement Fund, 138 S. Ct. 1061 (2018).

Before joining Schlam Stone, David was a member of the securities class action group and responsible for appeals as a partner of a large securities litigation firm.

Away from law practice, David is a tenor and board member with the AmorArtis Chamber Choir.

  • Represents a large European bank in a series of litigations against the trustees and underwriters of more than $1.5 billion of residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS).
  • Represents a sovereign nation and its central bank in connection with disputes concerning contracts for the purchase and delivery of fuel supplies.
  • Represents one of the nation's largest private prison operators in an action by a former inmate asserting claims for breach of contract, civil rights violations, and Bivens remedies.
  • Represents a Deputy U.S. Marshal and Fugitive Task Force member in a Bivens action asserting excessive force claims under the Fourth Amendment.
  • Represents a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in a Bivens action asserting excessive force claims under the Fourth and Fifth Amendments.   
  • Obtained a $624 million settlement in the landmark securities class action against Countrywide Financial Corporation.*
  • Obtained a $504.5 million settlement in a major antitrust class action charging a conspiracy by the world’s largest banks to manipulate the U.S. Dollar ISDAfix benchmark interest rate.*
  • Obtained a $62 million settlement to benefit investors in certain closed-end funds sold by Regions Morgan Keegan.*
  • Obtained tens of millions of dollars in recoveries for a large German bank and a global asset manager in individual actions alleging fraud in connection with the sale of RMBS.*

*Former firm.

  • Selected to the New York Metro Super Lawyers® list, Securities Litigation, 2022, 2023
  • Lawdragon, Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyer, 2019
  • The Legal 500, recommended in the field of Securities Litigation, 2012, 2013
  • Selected to the New York Metro Super Lawyers® list, Rising Stars, Securities Litigation, 2011
David J. Goldsmith
Rated by Super Lawyers


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  • Federal Bar Council
  • New York State Bar Association
  • Association of the Bar of the City of New York
  • New York County Lawyers’ Association
  • American Association for Justice

“My clients appreciate my responsiveness, keen eye for detail, and my strategic approach to solving their problems. The big picture is critical, but the small stuff matters too. I watch out for both.”