A native of Maryville, Tennessee, David Black graduated from the University of Tennessee with a B.S. in Liberal Arts in 1966. In 1967 he graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Law. He served on active duty in the U. S. Army from 1969-1971 and as a part-time Assistant Attorney General from 1972 to 1974. In 1968 he joined Kizer & Black, Attorneys, and has practiced in the areas of extensive civil and business litigation. He is licensed to practice before all state courts, United States District Courts, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States Claims Court, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

He is certified as a civil trial specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and by the Supreme Court's Commission on Certification. He is also listed in Best Lawyers in America and has an AV Martindale-Hubbell rating. He is a certified Mediator.

He is an advocate of the American Board of Trial Advocates, a member of the Tennessee and American Bar Associations, and the Tennessee and American Association for Justice.

He has served and Chaired the Board of Directors of the Tellico Reservoir Development Agency, as Chairman of the Blount County Planning Commission from 1973 - 1993; the Board of the Blount County Chamber of Commerce; and on the Board and as Chairman of the Blount County Economic Community Development Board.