A trial attorney for over 30 years, David Meier is Chair of the firm's Government Investigations and Criminal Defense Practice Group. Mr. Meier represents private individuals and companies during the pre-charging investigation stages, throughout grand jury proceedings, and at trials in state and federal court. Over the past 10 years he has obtained favorable results – including not guilty verdicts, dismissal of criminal charges, and non-prosecution of alleged criminal conduct – for hundreds of clients.
Mr. Meier is a Fellow of the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers. He was selected by Best Lawyers in America as the 2023 Criminal Defense: General Practice "Lawyer of the Year" in Boston. In addition to Best Lawyers, Mr. Meier is regularly recognized as one of the premier trial attorneys in his field by New England Super Lawyers and Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. In 2012-2013, Mr. Meier served as Special Counsel to Governor Deval Patrick in overseeing the investigation into the identification of all individuals potentially impacted by the misconduct at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health drug laboratory.
Mr. Meier counsels a full range of clients, including executives and companies faced with allegations of corporate fraud and other white-collar investigations, public officials and other professionals under investigation for alleged corruption or ethical violations, private individuals alleged to have committed serious felonies, sexual assaults, or death-related crimes, and students facing disciplinary and Title IX allegations at academic institutions. Mr. Meier’s practice includes matters investigated and prosecuted in state and federal court by local District Attorney’s Offices, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Prior to joining Todd & Weld, Mr. Meier served for 12 years as the Chief of Homicide in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, where he supervised the investigation, prosecution, and trial of all homicides within the City of Boston. As a prosecutor for over 20 years, Mr. Meier was a well-recognized leader in the post-conviction review and investigation of cases leading to the release of defendants wrongfully convicted of murder and other criminal charges. The reputation he earned and the relationships he developed as a professional prosecutor have proven to be invaluable assets to his present clients.
Mr. Meier's representative accomplishments include successfully obtaining:
Favorable resolution of charges against a husband and wife involved in the “Varsity Blues” college admissions case in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Dismissal of all 21 counts of federal criminal indictment against two pharmaceutical executives; favorably resolved case with U.S. Attorney’s Office by means of probation sentences
Dismissal of three of four counts of federal criminal indictment against client CEO; favorably resolved case with U.S. Attorney’s Office by means of probation sentence
Non-prosecution by U.S. Attorney’s Office of client executive in connection with federal criminal investigation into alleged fraudulent conduct
Non-prosecution by U.S. Attorney’s Office of client public official in connection with federal criminal investigation into alleged honest services fraud
Non-prosecution by Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office of client executive in connection with criminal investigation into alleged health care fraud
Not Guilty jury verdict after first-degree murder trial of Aaron Hernandez co-defendant
Dismissal of first-degree murder charge against client nanny/babysitter
Not Guilty jury verdict after trial of client attorney charged with felony crimes
Not Guilty jury verdict after trial of client physician charged with felony crimes
Dismissal of all eight criminal felony indictments against client priest; favorably resolved case by means of probation sentence
Non-prosecution of client college students, business executives, public officials, attorneys, physicians, and other professionals after law enforcement investigations into alleged felony crimes, including sexual assaults
Not responsible findings for client college students after investigations and/or hearings into alleged Title IX (sexual assault) violations and other alleged disciplinary violations at Northeastern University, Boston College, Boston University, Harvard University, Tufts University, Amherst College, Trinity University, and various other universities and colleges
Trustee and Board Member, New England Innocence Project, 2008-Present
Member of Criminal Law Section Steering Committee, Boston Bar Association, 2000-Present
Member of Criminal Law Section, Massachusetts Bar Association, 2008-Present
Co-Chair, Criminal Justice Task Force, Boston Bar Association, 2008-Present
Board of Trustees, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, 2015-present
Faculty Member, Harvard Law School Trial Advocacy Workshops, Yale Law School Teaching Workshops, Suffolk University Law School Teaching Workshops, and MCLE Trial Practice Courses, Seminars, and Programs
Co-Author, Getting It Right (The Bulletin, American College of Trial Lawyers, Fall 2013)
Co-Editor, Getting It Right: Improving the Accuracy and Reliability of the Criminal Justice System in Massachusetts (Boston Bar Association Criminal Justice Task Force, 2008-2009)
Contributing author to articles published in the New England Law Review, Boston Bar Journal, Massachusetts Criminal Law Handbook, and MCLE practice manuals.
