David Childs is a Principal at the Vogel Group.

David Childs helps clients solve problems with the government. Often the solutions involve successful modifications to Florida statutes and regulations. Other times it involves supporting budgetary items critical to a client’s interests or helping clients identify and pursue procurement opportunities. Over the past 15 years, David has earned a reputation for forthrightness and an in-depth understanding of water policy, the legislative process, and state administrative procedures.

David drafted and helped pass significant state legislation, including bills addressing essential state infrastructure (SB 7018, 2020), transmission line siting (HB 405, 2018), state assumption of the federal 404 dredge and fill permitting program (HB 7043, 2018), administrative procedures (HB 183 2016), and water quality credit trading (HB 713, 2013). He is also highly engaged in the Legislative appropriations process concerning agricultural research, the Blue-Green Algae Task Force, and the Florida Water and Land Conservation Constitutional Amendment.

David was part of the government relations team that successfully opposed EPA’s development of numeric nutrient water quality criteria for Florida. This work involved Congressional engagement and advocating before the White House’s Council on Environmental Quality. Presently, David is a leading industry voice in Florida’s effort to assume the section 404 wetland permitting program from the Army Corps of Engineers.

David is a registered lobbyist in Florida for numerous businesses and industries, including the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Mosaic Fertilizer, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, University of Florida Foundation, and SAS Institute.

Prior to attending law school, David was a staff engineer with CH2M Hill. During this time, he ran a sanitary sewer inspection crew, which assessed sewers throughout Tuscaloosa, Alabama.