Dave was born in Detroit, Michigan on New Year’s Day, 1958. His father began his career in the Navy and went on to become a neurosurgeon. Dave’s mother completed her college degree and then went on to receive a Masters and Ph.D. in History of Culture from the University of Chicago, eventually becoming an Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies at Loyola, and a professor of Music History at De Paul, all while raising Dave and his five siblings. Both of Dave’s parents have passed on, but their family values and their love of learning is a lasting legacy that informs Dave’s own values and his firm belief in the importance of education.

Dave graduated from New Trier East High School in 1974, and then he attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He graduated from college in 1978 after having completed a double-major in Business Administration and Political Science.

Dave’s professional career began in banking and finance. He worked days as a loan officer at LaSalle Bank and for four years attended Loyola Law School at night, while helping to raise his infant son, Kevin, who is now 23 years old.

While a student at Loyola, Dave was elected President of the Student Bar Association. He graduated with honors in 1990, finishing second in his class.

Dave was offered his first position as an attorney with a prestigious Chicago law firm, Peterson & Ross, where his practice of law became focused on employee benefits and insurance litigation.

In 2003, Dave was asked to join a group of attorneys from Peterson & Ross who went on to found the law firm of Chittenden, Murday & Novotny, where Dave is now a partner and still enjoying a stimulating legal practice.

Over the years, Dave has participated in many community activities including being a Little League baseball coach, middle school football coach, a Cub Scout den leader, Boy Scout volunteer, and church choir member.