Todd Davis, owner of Davis Law Firm, is renovating the building at 231 E. Adams St. that he purchased in April. He’ll invest about $200,000 for improvements to the two-story, 1960s-era structure, including transforming the ground floor into a technologically advanced mediation center.
Who or what inspired you to become a lawyer? I wanted to have the knowledge and ability to change circumstances. From a young age, I recognized that knowledge of the law could effect change. Lawyers, I realized, were the ones that had the knowledge and ability to remedy unfair situations. I wanted to be one of the people that could effect change, for my own situation and others.
How do you relate your undergraduate degree to your practice of law? History is full of lessons that are useful to law. Laws essentially are a compilation of things that happened throughout history that we do or do not want people to repeat in the future. Learning from past mistakes and successes is useful in any practice.
How did you decide your practice area? And why have you chosen that? Insurance coverage is contract law. Contracts are the most equitable way for people and businesses to operate in a free market. It’s a deal between parties that allows them to control their own situations. Judges recognize the importance of upholding contracts as written and that’s why contracts are so integral to conducting business.
What has been the biggest change in your practice area since you passed the Bar? The biggest change I’ve seen is the volume of lawsuits that may or may not exactly have merit. In the court systems right now, there are thousands of lawsuits related to construction of residential buildings and houses. Lawsuits against contractors often are brought years after projects are completed and even after the houses have been bought and sold several times.
What do you think will be the next biggest change in your area of law? The consensus in the law will change to confirm that liability insurance issued to contractors is not intended to cover poor work. It covers what it is intended to cover, which is accidents, but it does not cover doing a bad job.
What community service have you pursued and why that? Davis Law Firm regularly sponsors The StarLight Project, an organization that turns bedrooms into “Dream Rooms” for children with special needs. The organization was created by my friends Craig and Cherie Sussman, who have brought joy to the lives of so many. They regularly need sponsors for their charity golf tournament, which also happens to be a really fun time. Sponsors and donors can sign up at thestarlightproject.com.
What’s your advice for new lawyers? Learn the rules of your jurisdiction inside and out. What you lack in experience, you often can make up for with preparation.