David J. Canupp

David J. Canupp is a distinguished attorney based in Huntsville, Alabama, specializing in employment law, civil rights litigation, and governmental liability. A shareholder at Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne P.C., he has been providing exceptional legal services since 2006.

Mr. Canupp earned his J.D., summa cum laude, from Syracuse University College of Law in 2006. During his studies, he was inducted into the Order of the Coif and served as Lead Articles Editor for the Syracuse Law Review. He excelled in appellate advocacy, earning recognition for the Best Brief in the Mackenzie-Lewis Appellate Advocacy Competition. He obtained his B.A., cum laude, from the University of Alabama in 2003.

Known for his exceptional legal skill, Mr. Canupp has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America every year since 2019 and was named Lawyer of the Year for Appellate Litigation in Huntsville in 2023. He has also been selected as a Super Lawyer in 2022, 2023, and 2024, highlighting his ongoing excellence in appellate practice. Earlier in his career, he was honored as a Rising Star from 2018 through 2020, marking him as a standout attorney from the outset.

Throughout his career, Mr. Canupp has successfully defended clients in high-stakes litigation, including law enforcement liability cases and employment discrimination lawsuits. He has also overturned multimillion-dollar judgments at the appellate level. His work extends beyond litigation, advising businesses and government entities on compliance issues, including ADA accessibility, workplace policies, and employment law regulations.

In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Canupp is an adjunct employment law professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, where he educates future legal professionals. His dedication to his clients and professional accolades highlight his commitment to delivering exceptional results. Through his work, Mr. Canupp continues to serve as a trusted advocate and leader in his field.

Law Office Affiliations

• Shareholder, Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne P.C.
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Alabama State Bar
• Member, Huntsville-Madison County Bar Association
• Fellow, The Alabama Law Foundation

Licensed State

• Alabama

Education

• Syracuse University College of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Alabama – Tuscaloosa
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges