How much does it cost to hire David for a consumer case?

Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. David walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

Does David offer a free consultation?

David charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain David's office. Some consumer attorneys offer free consults — check David's current terms during booking.

How long do consumer cases in District of Columbia typically take?

Simple consumer matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. David gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

Can David take my case if I'm outside Washington?

David is licensed in District of Columbia. Matters governed by District of Columbia law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — David will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

What should I bring to my first meeting with David?

Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. David will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

Is David accepting new consumer clients right now?

David's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Unclaimed · Is this you?

David J. Ettinger, Consumer Attorney in Washington, District of Columbia

Over 33 years of legal practice · focused on Consumer, Environmental, and General

Partner

Washington, DC

Practicing consumer in Washington since 1993.

33+: Years practicing
3: Bar admissions

Practices in

Consumer Environmental General Health Care International

Are you David J. Ettinger?

This profile was built from public bar records and is still unclaimed. Claim it free to control your photo, bio, and fees — and get client inquiries sent straight to you.

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Quick answer

David J. Ettinger is a partner based in Washington, DC. The practice focuses on Consumer, Environmental, and General. David has over 33 years of legal experience.

Based in: Washington, DC
Experience: over 33 years
Known for: Consumer · Environmental · General

Handles Consumer, Environmental, and General matters from Washington, DC.
Over 33 years of practice as a licensed attorney.

Areas of practice

Legal matters David takes on

David concentrates on consumer, environmental, general, health care, and international. Each area below outlines the kind of case David handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Consumer cases in Washington, District of Columbia

David takes consumer matters in Washington, District of Columbia. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before David agrees to represent you.

Environmental cases in Washington, District of Columbia

David takes environmental matters in Washington, District of Columbia. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before David agrees to represent you.

General cases in Washington, District of Columbia

David takes general matters in Washington, District of Columbia. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before David agrees to represent you.

Health Care cases in Washington, District of Columbia

David takes health care matters in Washington, District of Columbia. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before David agrees to represent you.

International cases in Washington, District of Columbia

David takes international matters in Washington, District of Columbia. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before David agrees to represent you.

Biography

Meet David J. Ettinger — consumer lawyer in Washington

David J. Ettinger is a partner based in Washington, DC. The practice focuses on Consumer, Environmental, and General. David has over 33 years of legal experience.

David Ettinger counsels multinational companies on food (with a unique emphasis on alternative proteins including plant- and cell-based foods) and food packaging, as well as consumer and tobacco-related products. He assists clients in navigating the import and export of goods to ensure compliance with regulations in the United States (U.S.), Europe, and Asia. David counsels companies in China and throughout Asia on matters ranging from ingredient and labeling to product seizure and detention, to food and consumer product recalls and consumer complaints.

David is the chief representative in Keller and Heckman’s Shanghai, China office and previously worked in the firm’s Washington, DC and Brussels offices. His global experience uniquely positions him to counsel foreign companies who need to navigate the regulatory landscape in Asia. To further enhance his and Keller and Heckman’s global capabilities, David is the Chair of Mackrell International, a global legal network of over 90 international, independent law firms. Mackrell International’s member base spans more than 60 countries, which provides Keller and Heckman clients with access to legal support in all major world markets. In addition, David is past Chair and current Vice Chair of the American Chamber of Commerce Shanghai’s (AmCham Shanghai) Food, Agriculture & Beverage Committee and serves as a moderator and presenter for many of its seminars and conferences.

David and his team in Shanghai publish China Regulatory Matters (CRM) and Asian Regulatory Matters (ARM), two e-newsletters that focus on regulatory updates in China and the rest of Asia. He is frequently invited to speak on international regulatory matters regarding food, food-related products, and tobacco-related products.

Prior to joining Keller and Heckman, David was a trademark attorney with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He has extensive trial experience as a former assistant district attorney in the Nassau County District Attorney's Office in New York, where he prosecuted felonies and misdemeanors. His advocacy skills are frequently used to defend companies before various international regulatory bodies and to help implement crisis management strategies.

Awards

•Chambers Greater China Region: Life Sciences (International Firms), 2017 - 2026
•The Best Lawyers in America: FDA Law, 2016 - 2024

Insights & In the News

China Launches Campaign Against False and Misleading Online Food Sales

05.28.2026
Publication

Singapore Implements Beverage Container Return Scheme

04.23.2026
Publication

Singapore Publishes the List of Approved Novel Foods

04.13.2026
Publication

Keller and Heckman Featured in RegWatch Briefs Series

In The News
05.28.2026

How David handles consumer matters

Who David represents

David reviews new inquiries case-by-case for consumer, environmental, and general matters in Washington and the surrounding District of Columbia area.

Credentials

Education, bar admissions, and languages

Pace University School of Law
J.D. King · 1992
State University of New York at Albany
B.A. · 1989

Jurisdictions

David's state bar admissions

District of Columbia
1999 · ACTIVE
Connecticut
1993 · ACTIVE
New York
1993 · ACTIVE

David studied at J.D. King in Pace University School of Law and B.A. in State University of New York at Albany.

Law school and academic background

David completed J.D. King in Pace University School of Law and B.A. in State University of New York at Albany. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice David runs in District of Columbia is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Affiliations

David's professional memberships and bar associations

Memberships •AmCham Shanghai: Food, Agriculture & Beverage Committee, Vice Chair •Mackrell International, Chair •District of Columbia Bar Association •European Chamber of Commerce
membership

Locations

David J. Ettinger's office in Washington

David's primary office is at 1001 G Street NW, Suite 500 West, Washington, DC, 20001. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

1001 G Street NW, Suite 500 West

Washington, DC 20001

Open in Google Maps

Client feedback

Client reviews of David J. Ettinger

David has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.

No reviews yet

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Hiring guide

How to hire David J. Ettinger — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new consumer attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with David usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

David charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain David's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; David will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a consumer attorney in Washington, District of Columbia

A short list to run through before you commit: How many consumer matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for David

David discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in consumer practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every consumer matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. David confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

David's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many consumer practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about David J. Ettinger

How much does it cost to hire David for a consumer case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. David walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does David offer a free consultation?
David charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain David's office. Some consumer attorneys offer free consults — check David's current terms during booking.
How long do consumer cases in District of Columbia typically take?
Simple consumer matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. David gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can David take my case if I'm outside Washington?
David is licensed in District of Columbia. Matters governed by District of Columbia law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — David will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with David?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. David will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is David accepting new consumer clients right now?
David's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Community Q&A

Real questions asked by District of Columbia residents in the last few months, answered by consumer attorneys like David J. Ettinger. Each link opens the full answer thread.

What to do if my credit report contains incorrect information in Illinois?
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I bought a new refrigerator from a store in Los Angeles, California, which came with a two-year warranty. When it broke down after just six months, the company refused to fix it, c
1 verified answer · Consumer · California
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I live in Portland, Oregon, and just noticed a $200 charge on my bank statement that I didn’t make. I reported it, but the bank refuses to remove the charge, claiming it appears le
1 verified answer · Consumer · Oregon
Can a travel agency refuse to give me a refund in Washington?
I booked a vacation package through a travel agency in Seattle, Washington, but had to cancel due to a family emergency. They are refusing to provide me a refund, citing their poli
1 verified answer · Consumer · Washington
Can I be charged extra fees for paying my medical bill early in Florida?
I received a medical bill for $5,000 from a clinic in Miami, Florida, and I wanted to pay it off early. However, they informed me that there would be a 5% processing fee if I paid
1 verified answer · Consumer · Florida
What recourse do I have for receiving defective merchandise in Virginia?
I ordered a laptop online from a retailer in Richmond, Virginia, and when it arrived, it was defective and didn’t turn on. I attempted to return it, but they are refusing to accept
1 verified answer · Consumer · Virginia

Areas served

Consumer attorneys serving Washington and Belize City in District of Columbia

David handles consumer matters throughout District of Columbia. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified consumer attorneys in that community.

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