Little more than a year after graduating sixth in his class from University of California Hastings School of Law, Dave co-founded in 1972 with Nick Van Male the law firm of Gaw Van Male.  It has since grown to five principals, 28 attorneys, more than 40 staff members, and is the largest law firm in Napa Valley and Solano County.

Dave is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Law, designated by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.  He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Trusts and Estates Section of the State Bar.

He is also a certified Elder Law Attorney of the National Elder Law Foundation, and a member of the prestigious Council of Advanced Practitioners of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

He speaks extensively throughout California and the nation on a variety of estate planning and administration topics, and is among the most respected attorneys in his field.  His practice is limited to estate planning and administration, elder law, succession planning and exit strategies.

At Hastings, Dave was awarded the Order of the Coif for academic excellence.  He is licensed to practice both in California and in Colorado.

Estate Planning Department, Chair
Wealth Preservation Group, Chair
Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Law, Certified Specialist
.. by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization
Elder Law Attorney, Certified by the National Elder Law
.. Foundation
Trust Administration
Succession Planning & Exit Strategies

Wine Law Group
.

Originally from Berkeley, California, resettled in Napa Valley to establish Gaw Van Male, start and raise a family, and take an active role in his community.

The Vintage Bank, member and Chairman of the Board of

   Directors (1991-1994 & 2004-2007), until the sale of the bank

   in 2007
Solano Bank, former Director

North Bay Bancorp holding company, Chairman of the Board of
   Directors until the sale of the bank in 2007
Queen of the Valley Hospital Foundation, member, Board
.. of Trustees; Chairman, Donor Cultivation Committee;
.. member Board Development Committee

Napa Valley Hospice & Adult Day Services, member, Board

   of Directors

Napa Valley Community Foundation, member, Board of Directors

State Bar of California, Estate Planning, Trust, and
..Probate Section, member, Executive Committee;
..Chair, Technology Subcommittee

National Elder Law Foundation, accredited by the American Bar
..Association, Certified Elder Law Attorney
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Council of Advanced
..Practitioners, member
LAWPACT, international association of independent business
.. law firms, Vice President
Napa County Bar Association, President (1994), and
..Chair (1982–1986), Estate Planning, Probate & Trust.Section

Solano County Bar Association, member

STEP, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, member
.

California Trust Administration, chapters "Administering the Single Person Trust After Settlor's Death," and "Subtrust Allocation and Funding on the Death of the First Spouse," published by the Continuing Education of the Bar

CEB Action Guides, “Marital Deduction Subtrust Funding,” and "Administering a Single-Person Trust After Settlor’s Death.” published by the Continuing Education of the Bar

Northern California Super Lawyer for 2008, 2007, 2006

  and 2004.

Attorney of the Year, Napa County Legal Secretaries

  Association, 1998

Outstanding Educator, California Continuing Education of the

  Bar, 2006, 2005

Spirit of CEB award for contribution to the continuing education

  of the legal profession, California Continuing Education of the

  Bar, 2008

California CPA Education Foundation award for “the single all-

  around most outstanding Education Foundation course author”

  in 2007