David Ernst has over 25 years of experience in civil litigation and has conducted more than 50 trials. His litigation practice focuses on employment, construction, real estate, and personal injury. Mr. Ernst has represented major corporations, insurance companies, and professionals, including physicians and surgeon , accountants and engineers. He has special expertise representing clients in a variety of employment issues, including harassment and discrimination actions. Mr. Ernst also serves as a mediator focusing on employment, construction, commercial liability and personal injury matters.

Mr. Ernst began his professional career as an engineer, working on a major construction project, the $1.5 billion expansion of Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. After obtaining his law degree, he worked for the San Diego City Attorney’s Office, where he was recruited by a major law firm in Los Angeles, Bonne, Bridges, Mueller, O’Keefe & Nichols. Mr. Ernst joined Backus, Bland, Navarro & Weber in 1998, and founded Backus & Ernst in 2013.