David Castleman is a Florida Lawyer With a Specialization in Federal Equity Receiverships and Complex Litigation

David Castleman is a lawyer with extensive experience in federal equity receiverships and complex litigation.

In 2010, his health began to deteriorate due to an uncommon disease called idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease, a potentially lethal condition that is more rare than cancer.

Doctors were uncertain why some people with the disease appeared to be getting better while others didn’t.

Early Life and Education

David Castleman was a young man when his family relocated. He spent time living in Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri.

He was just a young man when he met and married Lillie Della Skiles (born Skiles). They went on to have four children together.

He was an incredible husband, father and grandfather who loved sports. Additionally, he worked as a machinist and took great pride in his work.

But his journey as a medical student took an unexpected turn when he developed an illness that put him on the edge of death. It was Idiopathic Multicentric Castleman Disease, an uncommon immune system disorder which can cause organ damage or even result in death.

Professional Career

David Castleman is currently the Division Chief for Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD), overseeing their rescue division. With 21 years of experience as a paramedic under his belt, Castleman holds both Florida-certified advanced life support certification as well as being part of their leadership team.

He began his career with the Orange Park Fire and Rescue Department in 1994, before transitioning to JFRD in 2000. In 2004, he was appointed to a regional disaster strike team for Hurricane Ivan relief efforts.

After being diagnosed with idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease, an illness that attacks multiple body parts and shuts them down, he decided to do whatever it took for a cure. To this end, he founded the Castleman Disease Collaborative Network–a global initiative dedicated to combatting this devastating disorder.

Achievements and Honors

David Castleman is a physician-scientist at the University of Pennsylvania and national bestselling author. He was one of the youngest individuals ever appointed to faculty, was named a Global Genes RARE Champion of Hope: Science awardee, and recently featured as part of a New York Times cover story.

He is an accomplished violinist and pedagogue, having won numerous competitions throughout Europe and America. In addition to conducting master-classes around the world in London, Vienna, Helsinki, Kiev, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Seoul; he also holds a position as founding member of The Castleman Quartet Program.

He is co-Founder and President of the Castleman Disease Collaborative Network, a physician-scientist and disease hunter leading efforts to find treatments for Castleman disease and COVID-19. Additionally, he’s part of an FDA/NIH/C-Path public-private partnership called CURE Drug Repurposing Collaboratory, as well as Director of the Center for Cytokin Storm Treatment & Laboratory at University of Pennsylvania.

Personal Life

At the age of 33, David Fajgenbaum’s health began to deteriorate. He was hospitalized and eventually diagnosed with idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease – an uncommon immune system disorder that can shut down organs such as the liver or kidneys, potentially leading to death.

When the only drugs for his condition failed, he took matters into his own hands and founded the Castleman Disease Collaborative Network – a global initiative dedicated to expediting research efforts.

The network brought together researchers from around the globe, recruiting some of medicine’s brightest minds to advance research. The result was sirolimus, a new medication now prescribed for another condition.

Net Worth

David Castleman is an accomplished attorney specializing in federal equity receiverships and complex litigation. His efforts have resulted in the recovery of over $100 million for claimants, including a $250 million global settlement for investors involved in alleged internet-based Ponzi schemes.

Over the course of his professional career, he has represented numerous prestigious companies and individuals. Additionally, he was co-founder of the New York Investor Protection Bureau.

Despite his accomplishments, he remains a victim of Castleman disease – an immune system disorder which claims approximately 35% of its victims within five years of diagnosis and has no known cure.