David Dearing joined Beasley Allen in April 2012. He practices in the firm’s Mass Torts section. He initially worked on our Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) litigation team, focusing on drugs such as Premarin, Prempro and Provera, which were shown to cause breast cancer in some women. Mr. Dearing is now primarily working on two other classes of drugs in multidistrict litigation.
Fosamax (alendronate sodium) was released on the U.S. market in 1995 and was prescribed to prevent and treat osteoporosis. However, prolonged use can actually lead to bone deterioration and consequential fragility fractures, particularly of the femur. Mr. Dearing is representing many clients who suffered spontaneous femur fractures as a result of Fosamax use.
Mr. Dearing also represents clients injured from taking Januvia, Byetta, Janumet and Victoza. These four diabetes drugs are in a class of drugs known as incretin mimetics, and are intended to help diabetics regulate blood sugar levels. However, studies have shown these drugs can cause pancreatic and thyroid cancer.
David also was part of the trial team that on Feb. 22, 2016, secured a verdict against Johnson & Johnson in litigation alleging the company's talcum powder products increase the risk for the development of ovarian cancer. A jury in City of St. Louis Circuit Court found Johnson & Johnson liable for injuries resulting from the use of its talc-containing products such as Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower body powder for feminine hygiene. The jury awarded the family of Plaintiff Jacqueline Fox $72 million after agreeing the products contributed to the development of her ovarian cancer. The verdict includes $10 million in actual damages and $62 million in punitive damages. The jury found Johnson & Johnson guilty of negligence, conspiracy and fraud. Ms. Fox passed away in October 2015 at age 62.
David received his law degree in 1991 from Cumberland
School of Law at Samford University, where he served as Associate Editor of the Cumberland Law Review. Prior to law school, he attended Furman University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Economics.
David is from Jacksonville, Fla., and has been a trial lawyer for more than 20 years. He served four years as an Assistant State Attorney in both the Fourth and Eighth Judicial Circuits in Florida. Since being a prosecutor, Mr. Dearing's practice areas have included Wrongful Death, Personal Injury, Products Liability, Workers Compensation, and Criminal Defense. He was named one of Florida Trend Magazine's Florida Legal Elite, as well as a Jacksonville “Top Lawyer” by 904 Magazine. Mr. Dearing is rated AV Preeminent, the highest possible rating in both Legal Ability and Ethical Standards by Martindale-Hubbell.
David is a member of the Alabama State Bar, the Montgomery County Bar Association, the Montgomery County Association for Justice, The Florida Bar Association, Florida Justice Association, American Inns of Court – Chester Bedell Inn of Court and E. Robert Williams Inn of Court, where he holds the position of Emeritus, Master of the Bench; The Million Dollar Advocates Forum, The Christian Legal Society and the United States District Court, Middle District of Alabama and Middle District of Florida. He has litigated in Federal and State Courts throughout the country.
David met his wife, the former Vicki Millo, in law school, and they have been married more than 20 years. Vicki recently joined the Beasley Allen team as a litigator in our Mass Torts Section after having spent the majority of her career as a Law Professor. David and Vicki have two teenage children, and they are members of Frazer United Methodist Church. Between their children’s various sporting events, they enjoy traveling and spending time on the water. David also is the head varsity basketball coach for Ezekiel Academy in Montgomery.
