David became vegetarian as a freshman in college when he made the connection between animal suffering and the food on his plate. Several years later, during law school, he became vegan after attending a presentation on factory farms and reading the book Animal Factories. In 2000 he became executive director of Vegan Action, where he instituted the “certified vegan” logo, now used on over 10,000 products. After that he started an animal law practice, handling a number of groundbreaking cases (featured in The Vegan Imperative). David is also cofounder of Dharma Voices for Animals, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting veganism within the meditation and dharma communities, and director of the film Animals and the Buddha.

David was a public defender, representing criminal defendants who could not afford an attorney. A certified teacher, he taught high school math at Berkeley High School and social studies at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas boys school. His has also been a professional blackjack player (card counter), realtor and computer programmer.

David’s primary pursuit is meditation. In his over 20 years of meditating he has lived on monasteries in Asia and the United States for just under a year and has accumulated over two years of silent, intensive practice. If you would like to learn how to meditate, take his free online Beginning Meditation Course.

His interests include hiking, running and backpacking in the Sierras. He follows politics closely and has written a book on Independent politics, Saving America from the Democrats and Republicans. He is an avid basketball and baseball fan.