David C. Humphreys is the Chairman and CEO of TAMKO Building Products LLC, a premier national manufacturer of residential roofing products founded by his grandfather in 1944. After earning his J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law in 1983 and an LL.M. in Taxation from NYU School of Law, Humphreys built a foundational career in corporate tax law, practicing with Davis Polk & Wardwell in New York and Paris. He returned to TAMKO in 1989, serving as General Counsel before stepping into the chief executive role in 1994.
A steadfast champion of opportunity, Humphreys remains deeply connected to the University of Miami School of Law, serving on the Visiting Committee and establishing the Robert C. Josefsberg Chair in Criminal Justice Advocacy. His profound commitment to philanthropy is evident in his massive disaster-relief efforts in his hometown of Joplin, Missouri, and the founding of a pre-K–12 independent school to foster exceptional student achievement.
What aspects of the curriculum or faculty had the most significant impact on your legal education and career trajectory?
Professors Irwin Stotzky and John Gaubatz were inspirational. Professor Stotzky’s Criminal Procedure course taught me to “think like a lawyer.” He inspired me to intern in the Miami Dade Public Defender’s office during the “Miami Vice” era where the 4th Amendment’s prohibitions were often the only defense against overzealous policing.
Professor Gaubatz pushed me to reach my academic potential in his Trusts & Estates course where his positive encouragement inspired me to study and gain a deep understanding of the course material. My first A came in T&E and for a while I intended to pursue a career in estate planning. That ultimately led me to undertake a tax LL.M. at NYU School of Law and then to work as a tax lawyer at Davis Polk. More importantly, Professor Gaubatz gave me confidence that I could really perform at the highest levels.
How did your education at the University of Miami School of Law prepare you for your career?
The critical reading, writing, and thinking skills gained at the University of Miami School of Law have been instrumental in my career both in law and business. Being able to quickly and accurately assess facts (and people) is something that is a learned skill first, honed in the classroom, and later built on over time with experience. In addition, UM taught me to write concisely with precision. Beyond that, the solid legal foundations built at UM have given me an analytical framework and template which has enabled good decision-making also in non-legal contexts. Although I haven’t actively practiced law in over 40 years, I effectively still think like a lawyer — and enjoy doing so — every day.
What opportunities or connections did you gain at the law school, and how did they influence your career?
I was fortunate to have made so many great friends in law school. Several went on to obtain an LL.M. in tax law at NYU which inspired me to do the same after 2 years of litigation experience. I also had the good fortune to have had my good friend Carol Goldstein in Davis Polk’s tax department when I interviewed for a corporate tax associate position, and I know her support made a difference in my receiving an offer. She was a great colleague, and we remain good friends today. I also was fortunate to have met Robert Josefsberg during my internship at the Public Defender’s office. His spirit of generosity inspired me to establish the School of Law’s Chair in Criminal Justice Advocacy in his honor.
