David M. Bessho

Member

David M. Bessho's practice focuses on complex civil litigation involving product defects, construction defects, and general tort and contractual liability issues. 

David received his Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude, as well as his law degree, magna cum laude, from Georgia State University in 1983 and 1996 respectively. While in law school, he was a member of the Georgia State University Law Review editorial board.  He has successfully litigated and tried cases in the state and federal courts throughout the southeastern United States. 

David is a retired Army Reserve officer and served with the Army's Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) in Baghdad, Iraq, and various locations in Afghanistan. 
 

Experience

Publications

Fifth Circuit Reverses Itself on Hurricane Katrina Cases, Raises Bar for Pursuing Flood Claims Against Army Corps of Engineers [Subrogation and Recovery Alert!]

November 07, 2012

Fifth Circuit Reverses Itself on Hurricane Katrina Cases, Raises Bar for Pursuing Flood Claims Against Army Corps of Engineers - Subrogation and Recovery Alert! - Flood damage subrogation claims are likely to be harder to pursue against the Army Corps and potentially other governmental entities according to a recent U. S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals case discussing Hurricane Katrina losses.

Thailand Flood Losses [Cozen O'Connor White Paper]

November 16, 2011

Thailand Flood Losses - Cozen O'Connor White Paper - Thailand’s two principal river systems are the Chao Phraya and the Mekong. There are a number of other smaller rivers which run through Thailand and drain into the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. The Mekong drains into the South China Sea. Beginning in July, Thailand’s rivers have been flooding. The floods have caused 506 deaths and an estimated $5.1 billion in damage. According to government reports the flooding has affected almost 15 million acres of land in 58 provinces.

2011 Floods: Evaluation of Subrogation Potential During Natural Disasters [Cozen O'Connor White Paper]

September 14, 2011

2011 Floods: Evaluation of Subrogation Potential During Natural Disasters - Cozen O'Connor White Paper - Many regions of our country still are suffering from the tragic consequences of Hurricane Irene, as well as prior and subsequent tropical storms. In the midst of this sometimes overwhelming damage, the insurance industry will be called upon to respond to claims which frequently entail multiple perils such as flood, wind and collapse. These claims, while complex, still are amenable to application of Cozen O'Connor's time tested subrogation methodology.

2010 Tennessee Floods: Subrogation Challenges and Opportunities [Cozen O'Connor Whitepaper]

May 20, 2010

2010 Tennessee Floods: Subrogation Challenges and Opportunities - Cozen O'Connor Whitepaper - As of May 8, 2010, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency reported 22 confirmed storm related fatalities, with 30 counties operating under Major Disaster Declarations and 1,400 National Guard soldiers mobilized to support rescue and relief operations. Initial estimates of damage to private residential, commercial and industrial property amounted to $1.5 billion. This estimate excludes the cost of repairing government owned buildings, roadways, and bridges, and was expected to rise.

Fall 2007 [Subrogation and Recovery Observer]

October 01, 2007

Fall 2007 - Subrogation and Recovery Observer - As football season gets underway and the exciting post-season baseball action has
started, Cozen O’Connor’s Subrogation Department is pleased to announce the continued expansion of our team roster. The Fall 2007 edition of the Subro Observer includes the introduction of five new attorneys in Philadelphia, Charlotte, Chicago, San Diego, and Los Angeles.

Events & Seminars

Past Events

2017 Atlanta Insurance Seminar

May 18, 2017 - Atlanta, GA

2015 Alabama Learn & Burn

May 06, 2015 - Jemison, AL

Industry Sectors

Education

  • Georgia State University College of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 1996
  • Georgia State University, B.S., magna cum laude, 1983

Awards & Honors

GEORGIA LEGAL SERVICES PRO BONO HONOR ROLL - 2007
David M. Bessho, Albert G. Dugan, Jr., Karen D. Fultz and Jefferson C. McConnaughey were named to the 2007 Georgia Legal Services Pro Bono Honor Roll in recognition of their commitment to promoting equal access to the judicial system and their tireless efforts in representing those in need in the state of Georgia.

  • Georgia
  • U.S. District Court -- Northern District of Georgia
  • U.S. District Court -- Middle District of Georgia
  • U.S. District Court -- Southern District of Georgia