Biography

Dave Kinkopf is a litigator with extensive experience as lead counsel in disputes involving civil litigation, religious and nonprofit organizations, employment law and land use. He represents entities and individuals in complex discrimination, constitutional, and commercial litigation in federal and state courts. A number of Dave's employment and land use lawsuits resulted in published opinions.

In addition to litigation, Dave advises entities on sensitive risk management as well as strategic and governmental relations issues. He is frequently invited to speak about the unique legal issues that face religious and nonprofit organizations.

A permanent member of the Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference, Dave was appointed by the Chief Judge of the Fourth Circuit to serve as the Maryland representative on the Fourth Circuit Advisory Committee on Rules and Procedures.

In 2007, Dave was named a Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great, a papal honor from Pope Benedict XVI, in recognition of his service to the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

He served a clerkship with the Honorable J. Frederick Motz, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland prior to joining the firm.

Dave is recognized in Chambers USA as one of Maryland’s leading commercial litigators.

Representative Matters

• Represented Reaching Hearts International, a religious organization, in a two-week federal jury trial that resulted in a $3.7 million jury verdict on claims under the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA). Click to read the news report or Reaching Hearts Intern., Inc. v. Prince George's County.



• Led a successful effort on behalf of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore to obtain legal authority to raze an apartment building over the objections of preservationists. After guiding the Archdiocese through the complicated demolition permitting process, the case proceeded on a fast track from an administrative hearing process to the Circuit Court of Maryland for Baltimore City, the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, and the Maryland Court of Appeals within a few weeks. Click to read the news report.



• Obtained summary judgment for the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore in a federal age and race discrimination lawsuit brought by two former associate city solicitors. Click for Rogosin v. Mayor & City Council of Baltimore, 197 F. Supp. 2d 345 (D. Md. 2002)



• Prevailed on behalf of developers in a highly publicized administrative challenge brought by community activists that ultimately allowed the continued construction of one of Baltimore's most prominent waterfront developments. The challenge involved interpretations of the City's urban renewal plan and zoning code on issues of height and view corridors. Click to read the news report.



• Prevailed on behalf of a developer/real estate purchaser in an arbitration seeking specific performance of a contract to purchase land worth over $9 million intended for condominium development.



• As developer's counsel, prevailed in two lawsuits filed by community activists seeking to eliminate tax incentives and prevent construction of a major Inner Harbor high-rise hotel.

Boitnott v. Mayor & City Council of Baltimore, 356 Md. 226 (1999)
Mayor & City Council of Baltimore v. Boitnott, 356 Md. 605 (1999)


• Successfully represented inmates of Maryland “Supermax” prison in seeking changes to prison policies regarding punishment and regarding mail restrictions.



• Successful settlement of numerous commercial disputes with and without mediation.

Education

University of Notre Dame, BS, with highest honors, 1990

Harvard Law School, JD, cum laude, 1994

Court Admissions

Maryland State Courts
United States Supreme Court
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
United States District Court for the District of Maryland
United States District Court for the District of Columbia

Bar Admissions

Maryland
District of Columbia

Bar and Professional Memberships

American Bar Association
Fourth Circuit Advisory Committee on Rules and Procedures
Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference, Permanent Member
Maryland State Bar Association
National Diocesan Attorneys Association, Executive Committee
The Lawyers' Round Table, Treasurer
U.S. District Court Bench-Bar Liaison Committee

Civic and Charitable Service

Archdiocese of Baltimore Board of Financial Administration, Executive Committee (2003 - present)
Maryland Catholic Conference, Administrative Board (1999 - present)
PNC Regional Advisory Board, Member (2008 - present)
Sheppard Pratt Health System and Foundation, Board of Trustees (2001 - present)
St. Mary’s Seminary and University, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees (2003 - present)
Baltimore City Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals, Member (2000 - 2005) and President (2002 - 2005)
St. Ignatius Loyola Academy, Board of Trustees (2003 - 2009)