About P. David
P. David Tarter earned his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Virginia in 1983 and returned to Charlottesville to complete his Juris Doctor at the University of Virginia School of Law in 1988. He built his legal foundation during those years and moved into practice in Virginia after finishing law school.
Tarter's career blends private practice and public service. He practices in Virginia and appears in the Fourth Circuit. He maintains an Arlington office where he meets clients and handles filings across state and federal appellate dockets. Over the years he has managed a case load that includes pretrial work, trial preparation and appellate briefing.
Public service has been a steady part of his life since he first sought municipal office. He has been an elected member of the City of Falls Church government since 2012. Voters there selected him to serve as mayor from 2014 to 2016. Those years in local government placed him in the middle of zoning, budget and municipal policy debates. They also provided hands-on experience with public meetings, constituent concerns and the mechanics of city administration.
Tarter also participates in legal education. He is a current speaker for Continuing Legal Education programs. Colleagues and newer attorneys have heard him present at seminars and panels addressing topics relevant to practitioners in the region. He combines practical courtroom experience with the municipal perspective he gained in elected office when preparing CLE presentations.
Across his work, Tarter is known for steady courtroom preparation and an interest in appellate procedure. He handles matters in Virginia courts and takes appeals to the Fourth Circuit when cases require it. His practice includes advising clients on procedural issues, drafting briefs and arguing appeals before panels. He keeps an Arlington office as a base for client meetings and appellate filings.
Outside the office, his municipal service remains part of his public record. He continues to balance casework with speaking engagements and local government responsibilities. He maintains an active practice in Virginia and handles appeals in the Fourth Circuit.
