David R. Kuhnz

Dave represents employers and educational institutions in complex employment litigation and institutional compliance matters, with a particular focus on higher education and drug and alcohol testing policies. He defends clients in single-plaintiff and class and collective actions, including wage-and-hour, discrimination, and harassment claims, and regularly handles requests for temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions. His practice also includes conducting internal investigations, advising leadership on findings and remediation, and developing practical strategies to mitigate litigation and reputational risk.

In addition to litigation, Dave counsels institutions on the full lifecycle of drug testing programs—from policy design and multi-jurisdictional compliance to implementation, training, and audit readiness—helping clients align operational needs with evolving legal requirements. He also advises on employment policies, investigations protocols, and governance frameworks tailored to the unique risk profile of colleges, universities, and research environments.

Before joining Ogletree Deakins, Dave served as a staff attorney at the Indiana Supreme Court, where he advised justices, trial court judges, and agencies within the Office of Judicial Administration. He previously worked in college athletics compliance at the NCAA’s enforcement department, focusing on investigations and infractions in men’s basketball—experience that informs his institutional investigations approach and his understanding of high-stakes regulatory environments in the higher education sector.