David Kovel

David E. Kovel is a co-managing partner at Kirby McInerney LLP, based in the firm's New York office.1 He is an experienced attorney specializing in several key areas of law:

Legal Expertise

David Kovel focuses on:

• Whistleblower cases
• Commodities law
• Antitrust litigation
• Securities law
• Corporate governance matters3

His work often involves complex financial instruments and fraud-related cases, where he has set precedents in both legal outcomes and settlement sizes.1

Background and Education

Kovel brings a unique perspective to his legal practice, having previously worked as a commodities trader.1 His educational background includes:

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Yale University
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Columbia University School of Law
• Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Columbia University Graduate School of Business1

Notable Achievements

David Kovel has been involved in several high-profile cases:

• He obtained one of the largest publicly announced single whistleblower awards under the Dodd-Frank and IRS whistleblower programs.1
• In 2021, he represented a whistleblower who received nearly $200 million, which was the largest CFTC whistleblower award ever at the time.2
• He has successfully represented plaintiffs in major litigation cases, including the LIBOR benchmark rate fixing case.1

Professional Activities

Kovel is actively involved in the legal community:

• He heads the litigation section of the New York City Bar Association Committee on Futures and Derivatives Regulation.1
• He formerly served on the New York City Bar Association Antitrust Committee.1

Additional Information

Interestingly, David Kovel speaks Spanish and once played professional soccer in Nicaragua.1 His diverse background and extensive legal experience have contributed to his success in complex financial and whistleblower cases.