David Zwanetz was born on May 6, 1979 in Reading PA. In 1982, David's family moved to Howard County, where they have resided since. A majority of David's small family still live in the Philadelphia area where his Grandparents settled after coming to the United States in the early 1920's; one side from Italy and the other side from Russia. David's devotion to his family and his Jewish and Italian heritage have deeply influenced his path in life. Always in mind of his family's sacrifices, David has remained deeply committed to education and the fulfillment of his goals.

As a student at Atholton High School in Columbia, Maryland, David excelled in the English and Art programs. In the winters, David traveled the east coast playing ice hockey for the Howard County Huskies and the Chesapeake Chiefs in Anne Arundel County. In the off season, David trained and played hockey at Notre Dame University in Indiana.

After graduating high school, David concentrated on his studies. As an English major at Salisbury University, David was on the Dean's list 1998 - 2001, and was inducted into the National Literary Honors Society (Lamda Iota Tau) in the year 2000. Additionally, David studied Art History and Italian Literature for a semester at the University of Florence, in Florence, Italy.

While in Florence, David began to study and excel in the Korean martial art form of Tae Kwon Do. David returned to the United States and trained/competed in both Tae Kwon Do, American and Thai Boxing.  David now trains exclusively in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Elkridge, Maryland under Julius Park (TEAM LLOYD IRVIN), at Baltimore's premier Jiu Jitsu/MMA school, Crazy 88 bjj.

David began his legal studies at Widener University School of Law in 2002. During law school, David realized that Widener's Italian American Legal Society was lacking. David contacted the Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA); a 650,000 member worldwide Italian American organization, and was granted permission to start his own OSIA branch/consulate at Widener. Acting as President to the Order Sons of Italy, Widener Consulate, 2003-2005, David created the first ever law school based branch of OSIA and was duly recognized by the OSIA as well as several national publications.

At Widener, David clerked for the Honorable Judge Francis M. Allegra of the United States Court of Federal Claims. During his last semester at Widener, David was admitted early to the Delaware Bar, in accordance with Delaware Supreme Court Rule 56, in order to participate in the Delaware Volunteer Legal Services. David focused specifically on criminal and domestic violence cases.

Upon completion of law school, David moved back to Howard County. While awaiting his bar results, David worked at Historic Ellicott City's Cacao Lane, where he met his wife Cathy.  After being admitted to the Maryland Bar on December 15, 2005, David was hired by Jason Shapiro and Paul Mack as their one and only Associate Attorney. 

David has quickly progressed in his time with Shapiro & Mack trying a multitude of criminal cases throughout Maryland.  David is an active participant in the Howard County Bar Association, the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney’s Association, and the National Criminal Defense Attorney’s Association. In the summer of 2008, he was formally recognized by the National College for DUI Defense for his efforts in the defense of citizens accused of driving under the influence.  The National College for DUI Defense, Inc. (NCDD) is a professional, non-profit corporation dedicated to the improvement of the criminal defense bar, and to the dissemination of information to the public about DUI Defense Law as a specific area of law practice. The National College is headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama and College members represent the most experienced DUI defense attorneys in the country. Additionally, not forgetting his experiences in the restaurant business, David has expanded his practice area to include representation of business charged with County Liquor Board violations.  David continues to focus on all areas of criminal defense and Liquor Board Defense and constantly strives to provide compassionate and zealous representation.  David continues to fight hard both in the courtroom and on the jiu jitsu mat - "fighting hard in both arenas!"