In September 1995, David A. McDowell established his own law office in San Francisco following a 15-year tenure at the law firm of McGlynn, McLorg & McDowell, where he was senior partner for 12 years. Prior to his employment with McGlynn, et al., Mr. McDowell was a prosecutor in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office, where he concentrated on felony cases, representing the county in more than 75 jury trials.

Expansion of the firm commenced in 1997 with the addition of an office in Sacramento. This was followed by offices opening in Fresno and San Jose. The original law office, located in San Francisco, was moved to Walnut Creek in 1998, which enabled the firm to direct cost-effective litigation services from a more central location.

In 2005, Paula M. Shaw became a partner in the firm. Ms. Shaw has been practicing law in excess of 20 years. She has devoted her career to insurance defense-related litigation and continues to handle first- and third-party matters in most of the Northern California counties. Prior to joining the firm in 1998, she was a partner in the law firms of Jageman & Shaw, located in Walnut Creek, and Pave, Bogaards & Shaw, located in San Francisco.

In 2009, the firm merged with Jonathan Colman & Associates to provide legal services throughout the State of California. Mr. Colman has practiced law in Southern California since 1980, with a specialty in the handling of SIU-type claims with many of the same clients. The merger enabled the firms to expand the legal services offered to their clients.