Shipman, Shaiken & Schwefel LLC

2 Best Lawyers awards

Shipman, Shaiken & Schwefel LLC logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Commercial Litigation

Biography

David Shaiken brings over 30 years of legal experience to clients across various industries, focusing on creditors' rights, commercial bankruptcy, fraudulent transfer, commercial litigation, business dissolution, arbitration, and mediation.

David has contributed more than 20 years as a commercial arbitrator and mediator and is part of the Register of Voluntary Mediators at the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut, Hartford Division. He is also affiliated with the American Arbitration Association's National Panel of Commercial Arbitrators.

Recognized by peers for his dedication, David has received the AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and listings in Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers for Connecticut and New England.

He earned his J.D. with honors from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1987. After completing a two-year clerkship with a federal bankruptcy judge, David entered private practice in 1989. He is actively involved in continuing legal education, teaching classes on legal developments and publishing articles on diverse legal topics.

David represents a variety of clients, including businesses, entrepreneurs, business owners, executives, and professionals, all of whom appreciate the personalized service, commitment, and attention to detail he provides.

He has played a significant role in the Connecticut Bar Association, serving as a past chairman and a 30-year member of the CBA's Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section. He was also the inaugural chairman of the CBA's Small Firm Practice Management Section.

David is admitted to practice law in all Connecticut state courts and the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut.

Shipman, Shaiken & Schwefel LLC

2 Best Lawyers awards

Shipman, Shaiken & Schwefel LLC logo

Overview

  • University of Connecticut, J.D., graduated 1987
  • Swarthmore College, BA, graduated 1982
  • University of Connecticut, J.D., graduated 1987
  • Swarthmore College, BA, graduated 1982

Client Testimonials

David Shaiken represented our firms and principals in a complicated, real estate workout. He quickly grasped the inter-relationship of the companies and principals, defined the legal issues, and achieved an outcome that exceeded our expectations. In our experience, David's knowledge of his practice area is encyclopedic and his ability to negotiate a favorable outcome for his client in difficult circumstances is astonishing. We recommended David to a number of our professional peers, and to other law firms with which we do business that do not possess David's skill set. I don't believe we could have found a better attorney or gotten a better result.

We engaged David Shaiken to represent us in a complicated land development/ financial matter involving a regional lender. Our firm, and I soon discovered of a number of our peers, were subjected to what David held were unfair commercial business practices. David quickly and effectively convinced that lender that it would be in its interest to avoid litigation and settle our matter. Within days, the matter was favorably resolved. In more than 25 years in the land development business, during which time we were continuously litigating to obtain entitlement rights, David Shaiken was the most competent and effective attorney with whom our firms ever worked.

Greg Pinto (Capstone Builders, Inc.)

Fort Meyers, FL

I've dealt with a good number of attorneys throughout my 30 year professional career and David Shaiken is one of the best. He was extremely responsive and gave good advice that was truly in my best interest. He represented me in a very complicated and at times bizarre case and navigated the complexities and oddities in an astute and economic manner. I strongly recommend David.

Awards & Focus

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Mediation
  • Arbitration

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