David A. Hickey
EDUCATION
University of Kansas School of Law
Juris Doctor - 2009
University of Kansas School of Engineering
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering - 2006
AREAS OF PRACTICE
Antitrust and Unfair Competition
Business and Commercial Litigation
Class Actions
Contract Disputes
Executive Compensation
Insurance Litigation
Catastrophic Injuries
HONORS & AWARDS
- The National Law Journal’s Top 100 Verdicts 2018
- Missouri Lawyers Awards – Top 5 Verdict 2022
- Missouri Lawyers Awards – Top 5 Verdicts 2018
- Missouri Lawyers Awards – Top 5 Settlements 2023
- Missouri Lawyers Awards – Top 5 Settlements 2014
BAR ADMISSIONS
Missouri
Kansas
U.S. District Court, W.D. Missouri
U.S. District Court, D. Kansas
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
- Missouri Bar Association
- Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
About David
David litigates high-stakes cases for individuals and small businesses in state and federal courts across the country. Over the past 15 years, he has recovered billions of dollars in settlements and judgments against some of the largest companies in the world. In and out of the courtroom, he combines pragmatic counsel with vigorous advocacy to resolve disputes and maximize his clients’ recoveries.
In his class-action practice alone, David has recovered over $2 billion for individuals and businesses. He has been instrumental in obtaining five favorable class-action jury verdicts, ranging from almost $1 million to over $200 million. Outside of class actions, he has similarly obtained many significant and favorable (but confidential) settlements. In short, David has a demonstrable track record of success for clients from all walks of life in disputes relating to business torts, commercial disputes, breaches of contract, insurance claims, unfair business practices, consumer protection, executive compensation, products liability, price-fixing, and personal injuries.
David prides himself on mastering each case’s specific facts—no matter how complex, technical, or industry-specific they may be—to give his clients an edge against even the largest, most sophisticated companies represented by “big law.” He has consistently translated his grasp of dizzying details into compelling legal strategy that maximizes his clients’ recoveries.
Before joining Schirger Feierabend, David spent over a decade at one of the nation’s leading plaintiff-side litigation firms, where in recent years he had frequently worked with Schirger Feierabend as co-counsel.
David is a graduate of the University of Kansas, where he earned a B.S. from the School of Engineering in 2006 and his J.D. from the School of Law in 2009. He lives in Leawood, Kansas with his wife and their son. Away from the office (and when his hectic schedule permits) David is an avid fan of the outdoors, Kansas City sports teams, and live music.
Representative Cases
Class Action – Secured a nationwide $325 million cash settlement on behalf of 760,000 universal life insurance policyholders against State Farm Life Insurance Company. The settlement resulted from consolidating eleven class actions against State Farm in which the plaintiffs alleged that State Farm systematically overcharged them for decades. Rogowski v. State Farm Life Insurance Co., No. 4:22-cv-00203-RK (U.S. District Court, W.D. Mo.).
Class Action – Secured $220 million cash settlement fund on behalf of Missouri purchasers of Vioxx prior to the drug being pulled from the market due to its heart attack risks. Plaintiffs alleged that Merck had marketed the drug through misleading sales practices in violation of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act, primarily by misrepresenting its safety risks and misrepresenting its efficacy. Plubell v. Merck & Co., Inc., No. 04-CV-235817 (Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri).
Class Action – Secured $217 million jury verdict on behalf a class of Kansas corn farmers against Syngenta related to the unauthorized sale of genetically modified corn, which led to the exclusion or rejection of U.S. grain in certain markets. Following this jury trial and verdict, a $1.5 billion global settlement was reached. In Re: Syngenta AG MIR 162 Corn Litigation, MDL 2591 (U.S. District Court, D. Kan.).
Class Action – Secured $147 million settlement on behalf of owners of approximately 191,000 life insurance policies regarding allegations that the insurer had improperly overcharged policyholders, which has been approved by the district court. An objector appeal relating to this settlement was filed, which is set for argument before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in May 2026. Glover & Warehime v. Connecticut General Life Insurance Co. & The Lincoln National Life Insurance Co., No. 3:16-cv-00827 (U.S. District Court, D. Conn.).
Class Action – Secured a nationwide class action settlement for $90 million on behalf of 120,000 policyholders asserting policy overcharges and claims for breach of contract against insurance company. Spegele v. USAA Life Insurance Co., No. 5:17-CV-00967 (U.S. District Court, W.D. Tex.).
Employment Law and Litigation – Prosecuted multi-district litigation regarding allegations that Bank of America misclassified employees and failed to pay wages and overtime pay at retail bank branches. A settlement of $73 million was reached on behalf of personal bankers and tellers working in retail branches.
Class Action – Secured a nationwide $65 million cash settlement on behalf of 450,000 universal life insurance policyholders asserting policy overcharges against State Farm Life Insurance Company. Niewinski v. State Farm Life Ins. Co., No. 2:23-cv-4159 (U.S. District Court, W.D. Mo.).
Class Action – Secured a nationwide $59.75 million cash settlement on behalf of 103,000 policyholders against John Hancock Life Insurance Co. (U.S.A.) over alleged life insurance overcharges. Larson v. John Hancock Life Ins. Co., No. RG16 813803 (Superior Court of California, County of Alameda).
Class Action – Secured judgment exceeding $48 million on behalf of 8,000 life insurance policyholders relating to allegations that the insurer had overcharged them for their policies over the decades they owned the policies. After trial, the jury returned a verdict of more than $28 million. The Missouri Court of Appeals affirmed the verdict and awarded another $20 million in pre-judgment interest, bringing the total judgment to over $48 million. Karr v. Kansas City Life Ins. Co., No. 1916-CV26645 (Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri).
Class Action – Secured a favorable settlement of $45 million on behalf of about 88,000 life insurance policyholders relating to allegations that the insurer had overcharged them for their policies. This settlement resolved a number of cases that were being prosecuted around the country. Van Zanten & Vittetoe v. Kansas City Life Ins. Co., No. 4:25-cv-00095 (U.S. District Court, W.D. Mo.).
Class Action – Secured a jury verdict of $34 million on behalf of 24,000 policyholders in a class action trial against State Farm Life Insurance Co. The jury found that State Farm systematically overcharged its policyholders for 23 years. Ultimately, the trial court awarded another $4.5 million in pre-judgment damages, which, along with post-judgment interest, resulted in a total recovery of about $40 million. Vogt v. State Farm Life Ins. Co., No. 2:16-cv-04170-NKL, (U.S. District Court, W.D. Mo.).
Class Action - Secured a $32.5 million settlement on behalf of owners of life insurance policies issued in eleven states asserting policy overcharges against Symetra Life Insurance Company. Davis v. Symetra Life Ins. Co., No. CV-21-00533 (U.S. District Court, W.D. Wash.).
Class Action – Secured more than $11 million on behalf of law firms and rice farmers who alleged that certain other law firms and rice sellers improperly used their legal work without contributing to the common fund.
Class Action – Secured jury verdict of $4 million on behalf of 500 Missouri policyholders regarding allegations that the insurer had improperly overcharged them. Further secured additional $2 million in additional pre-judgment interest. After appeal was filed and as part of global resolution, negotiated a settlement on behalf of policyholders in the amount of $5 million. Sheldon v. Kansas City Life Ins. Co., No. 1916-CV26689 (Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri).
Class Action – Secured jury verdict of nearly $1 million on behalf of life insurance policyholders relating to allegations that the insurer had overcharged them for their policies. Meek v. Kansas City Life Ins. Co., No. 4:19-cv-00472 (U.S. District Court, W.D. Mo.).
Employment Law and Litigation – Represented company executive in dispute with employer and members of its board of directors relating to whistleblower claim. Negotiated a favorable separation agreement with significant compensation for client without need to file a lawsuit or formal charge.
Business Litigation – Secured favorable settlements resolving antitrust claims on behalf of grocery wholesaler relating to conspiracy to reduce the supply of potatoes involving several potato trade groups and growers. Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. v. United Potato Growers of America, Inc. et al., Case No. 13-cv-2182 (U.S. District Court, D. Kan.).
Business Litigation – Secured favorable settlements resolving antitrust and price-fixing claims on behalf of grocery wholesaler relating to conspiracy to reduce the supply of eggs in the United States involving several egg trade groups and egg producers. Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc., v. United Egg Producers, et al., No. 10-CV-2171 (District Court for Wyandotte County, Kansas).
Business Litigation – Secured significant pre-suit settlement on behalf of family-run cow-calf operation that suffered major disruption in its husbandry operation due to feed company’s error in delivering animal feed that included an additive that suppresses estrus, which ultimately led to significant culling of the operation’s now off-schedule cows and heifers.