2025 Best Lawyers in America® and Best Law Firms®
Bell, Moore & Richter, S.C., and Attorneys Ann C. Emmerich and David E. McFarlane have been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America®.
David graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1976. Since then he has been a trial lawyer in Madison, emphasizing the defense of medical and other professional liability cases and commercial litigation in State courts throughout Wisconsin and in federal court.
David is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, the American Bar Association and the Defense Research Institute. He has an "AV-Preeminent" rating by Martindale-Hubbell; has been recognized as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" in the areas of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Commercial Litigation and Mediation; is recognized as a Wisconsin "Super Lawyer" in Personal Injury Defense - Medical Malpractice; and is recognized as being among "America's Most Honored Professionals" (Top 1%) by the American Registry.
David was the original author of "On Being 18: Your Rights and Responsibilities," which continues to be published by the State Bar of Wisconsin as "What You Should Know About Wisconsin Law: Your Legal Rights and Responsibilities." He received a Silver Gavel Award from the American Bar Association for making an outstanding contribution to increasing public awareness of legal issues and received a Second Place National Law Day Speech Award from the American Bar Association.
David has tried well over 100 cases to verdict and has successfully defended physicians, hospitals, other health care providers and their insurers in trials involving neurosurgery, obstetrics, general surgery, orthopedic surgery, radiology, pathology, internal medicine, psychiatry and psychology, among others. He has also successfully represented lawyers in the defense of legal malpractice cases and represents businesses and municipalities involved in a wide range of commercial and employment disputes. David has represented the Sauk Prairie School District in his home town for many years and has been the lawyer-coach for the school's Mock Trial team.
David lives with his wife in Prairie du Sac near the Wisconsin River. During breaks from trial work, David enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren, competing in AKC agility trials with his border collies, camping and listening to almost all types of music.
Bell, Moore & Richter, S.C., and Attorneys Ann C. Emmerich and David E. McFarlane have been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America®.
Congratulations to our firm's Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.
Bell, Moore & Richter, S.C. is proud to be recognized as a 2024 Madison Metropolitan Law firm by "The Best Lawyers in America®." Firms included in the 2024 "Best Law Firms" are recognized for professional excellence and receiving a tier designation reflect the high level of respect a firm has earned among other leading law firms in the same communities and the same practice areas for their abilities, integrity and professionalism. Our clients are our priority, and we are dedicated to serving their interests.