David L. Ayers
Mississippi
Watkins & Eager PLLC
The Emporium Building
400 East Capitol Street
Jackson, MS 39201
Tel: 601.965.1981
Email:
dayers@watkinseager.com
Web:
www.watkinseager.com
David has spent decades defending domestic and foreign clients in catastrophic personal injury and death cases, with an emphasis on product litigation in the automotive, heavy equipment, consumer and recreational product arenas, as well as premises litigation.
Throughout his career, David has repeatedly defended product manufacturers in matters involving an expanse of defect allegations. He has guided his clients through government inquiries and recalls, at times on matters in the public spotlight. Given his experience defending pattern litigation and his deep institutional knowledge, David’s clients rely on him not only for representation in individual cases, but also high exposure complex mass torts where he has coordinated product defense at both the national and regional levels. David also represents his clients in matters before state regulatory agencies, such as the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission.
David’s practice extends outside Mississippi, with matters in state and federal courts throughout the country and U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In Mississippi and beyond, David’s clients turn to him for representation in high profile, “bet the company” litigation, and he has defended clients in dozens of cases tried to verdict.
Matters of note include: Tanks v. Lockheed Martin Corporation (in multiple state and federal courts in Mississippi); Shelter Ins. v. Mercedes Benz U.S.A., LLC (United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi); Palmer v. Volkswagen of America, Inc. (Circuit Court of Hinds County, Mississippi) (National Law Journal “Top 20 defense verdict” in 2001); Clark v. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (Circuit Court of Hinds County, Mississippi); In Re: Toyota Corporation Unintended Acceleration Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Litigation (United States District Court for the Central District of California); Scholan v. Toyota Motor Corporation (Circuit Court of the Seventh Judicial Circuit, Florida); Schara v. Toyota Motor Corporation (United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia); and, In Re: Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. Tires Product Liability Litigation (United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana).
Education
- Juris Doctor: University of Mississippi School of Law, 1983
- (Articles Editor, Mississippi Law Journal)
- Bachelor’s Degree: Economics, Vanderbilt University, 1980
Admissions & Memberships
- The Mississippi Bar
- American Bar Association
- Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
- PLAC (formerly Product Liability Advisory Council)
- Mississippi Automotive Manufacturers Association
Watkins & Eager is widely recognized for its distinguished reputation in defending manufacturers, distributors, and sellers across a broad spectrum of industries. The firm also advises clients on product liability prevention, risk management, and product recall strategies, providing proactive counsel to help mitigate exposure before litigation arises.
The firm’s product liability lawyers are active leaders in key professional organizations, including the Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC), the Defense Research Institute (DRI), and the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC). Several members are also fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL) and the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), reflecting their experience and standing within the national trial bar. By integrating the diverse experience and strengths of its attorneys, Watkins & Eager delivers sophisticated, efficient, and effective defense strategies for clients facing product liability matters of every scale in state and federal courts across the United States.
The firm’s extensive experience covers multi-district litigation, serial product liability cases, and single-incident loss actions. Watkins & Eager’s lawyers frequently serve as national, regional, or state coordinating counsel, as well as lead trial counsel, representing clients in jurisdictions across the country and in Puerto Rico. Through this deep and broad experience, the firm provides clients with trusted advocacy and strategic guidance in even the most complex product liability disputes.
Established in 1895, Watkins & Eager PLLC is a full-service, diversified law firm. The firm’s services include extensive real estate, banking, corporate and business practices, as well as broad trial and appellate practices.
The lawyers of Watkins & Eager possess exceptional legal expertise and have achieved numerous notable distinctions. Six of the firm’s lawyers are members by invitation only to the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers.
Best Lawyers in America® has named 42 attorneys in its exclusive listing, representing fifty-three practice areas. Chambers USA-America’s Leading Lawyers for Business® has recognized Watkins & Eager and twenty-one of its attorneys as “Leaders in their Field” in multiple areas of law. The national rating service Super Lawyers has named twenty-eight Watkins & Eager attorneys as 2017 Mid-South Super Lawyers, and five attorneys as Mid-South Rising Stars.
“David Ayers is recognized for his expert handling of product liability disputes. He attracts an impressive roster of automotive industry clients with his experience in major class actions and mass torts. His practice also includes personal injury claims.”