Personal Injury Lawyer David Zwanetz was born on May 6, 1979 in Warrington, Pennsylvania. David’s family moved to Howard County in 1982, where they have resided since. A majority of David’s small family still lives in the Philadelphia area where his Grandparents settled after coming to the United States in the early 1920′s; one side from Italy and the other side from Russia/Romania. David’s devotion to his family and his Jewish and Italian heritage have deeply influenced his path in life. In fact, David has two uncles, one a noted Personal Injury Lawyer and the other a famed Medical Malpractice Attorney, who have mentored David throughout the years. Always keeping his families sacrifices in mind, David has remained deeply committed to education and the fulfillment of his goals.
As a student at Atholton High School in Columbia, Maryland, David excelled in the English and Fine Arts programs. In the winters, David traveled the east coast playing ice hockey for the Howard County Huskies and the Chesapeake Chiefs in Anne Arundel County. In the off season, David trained and played hockey at Notre Dame University in Indiana.
After graduating high school, David concentrated on mainly his studies. As an English/Political Science major at Salisbury University, David was on the Dean’s list 1998 – 2001, and was inducted into the National Literary Honors Society (Lamda Iota Tau) in the year 2000. David’s undergraduate studies revolved around the study of the Epic Poem, Paradise Lost, by John Milton for which the entirety of his senior year was focused. Additionally, David studied Art History and Italian Literature for a brief period at the University of Florence, in Florence, Italy. While in Florence, David began to study and excel in combat sports; first studying Tae Kwon Do in Europe. David returned to the United States and trained/competed in Tae Kwon Do, American Boxing, and Thai Boxing. David now trains exclusively in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Elkridge, Maryland under Julius Park and Team Lloyd Irvin at Crazy 88 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. David has attained a purple belt and competes internationally. In fact, David was a silver-medalist at the 2010 World Championship of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (the Mundials), in Long Beach California.
David began his legal studies at Widener University School of Law in 2002. During law school, David realized that Widener’s Italian American Legal Society was lacking. David worked with the Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA); a 650,000 member worldwide Italian American organization, and was granted permission to start his own OSIA branch/consulate at Widener. Acting as President to the Order: Widener Consulate 2003-2005, David created the first ever law school based branch of OSIA and was duly recognized by the OSIA as well as several national publications. At Widener, David clerked for the Honorable Judge Francis M. Allegra of the United States Court of Federal Claims ,where he got his first taste of civil law practice. During his last semester at Widener, David was admitted early to the Delaware Bar, in accordance with Delaware Supreme Court Rule 56, in order to participate in the Delaware Volunteer Legal Services. David focused specifically on domestic violence cases. Upon graduation of law school, David moved back to Howard County. While awaiting his bar results, David worked at Historic Ellicott City’s Cacao Lane, where he met his wife Cathy. After being admitted to the Maryland Bar on December 15, 2005, David was hired by Jason Shapiro and Paul Mack as their one and only Associate Attorney.
David has quickly progressed in his time with Shapiro & Mack trying a multitude of criminal and civil cases throughout Maryland. David is an active participant in the Howard County Bar Association, the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney’s Association, and the National Criminal Defense Attorney’s Association. In the summer of 2008, he was formally recognized by the National College for DUI Defense for his efforts in the defense of citizens accused of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Not forgetting his experiences in the restaurant business, David has expanded his practice area to include representation of business charged with County Liquor Board violations. Moreover, David focuses heavily on the collections department at Shapiro & Mack, handling numerous collections accounts for local Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academies. Having experience on both the state and Federal level with civil litigation, David enjoys Shapiro & Mack’s personal injury practice as it affords him an additional opportunity to assist clients in their most delicate times of need. David can be found in court every-single day litigating both criminal and civil cases in front of various Judges throughout the entire state of Maryland. David may be in Howard County one day and Charles County the next. David continues to focus on all areas of criminal defense, personal injury, collections, and Liquor Board defense. David constantly strives to provide compassionate and zealous representation. David continues to fight hard both in the courtroom and on the jiu jitsu mat – “fighting hard in all arenas!”
