About David D.
David D. Gilliss graduated from The College of Wooster in 1976 with a degree in political science and went on to earn his J.D. from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law in 1982. He began his legal career after law school and built a practice rooted in Maryland state courts and federal forums. That early training set the tone for a practice that spans trial work and appellate matters.
He is admitted to practice in Maryland and is authorized to appear before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court. Those admissions reflect a career that has included work beyond the trial level, including litigation that required appellate advocacy. Over the years he has handled disputes that touch on statutory, contractual and procedural issues common to business and construction litigation.
In 2010 he became a founding partner of Pike & Gilliss, LLC. The firm handles contested matters for clients that include owners, contractors and others involved in construction projects. Gilliss’ role at the firm includes managing litigation strategy, supervising pleadings and motions practice, and representing clients in hearings and appellate filings. He has remained based in Maryland while taking cases that require work in federal and appellate courts.
Gilliss has been active in the Maryland State Bar Association’s Construction Law Section Council since 2011. Serving on the council-level body, he participates in discussions about practice developments and continuing legal education for other attorneys who handle construction disputes. That service keeps him engaged with peers and current developments that affect construction law practice across the state.
His courtroom work is paired with preparation outside the courtroom. He regularly drafts contracts, responds to claims, and prepares appellate briefs. He handles complex factual records and tries to distill technical materials for judges and opposing counsel. When cases require it, he coordinates with experts and other professionals to present technical issues clearly.
Today he practices at Pike & Gilliss, LLC, where he concentrates on construction law and related appellate work in Maryland and federal courts.
