In 2021, David became a member of Colin Biggers & Paisley's disputes and investigations team following the merger with Logie-Smith Lanyon Lawyers.
With over 30 years of experience, David is known as a formidable commercial litigator. He runs a broad commercial litigation practice with a focus on acting on behalf of senior executives and directors in disputes between shareholders and corporations, corporate disputes, insolvency litigation, foreign bribery and foreign influence defence work. David also acts in Corporations Act applications, debt recovery, corporation investigations (including ASIC examinations), and advises on white collar crime.
David's litigious experience encompasses banking and finance disputes, and royal commissions. He has acted in a number of high profile cases, ASIC and AFP investigations, and commissions. These include representing individuals before the AWB oil-for-food Cole Inquiry and subsequent litigation, including ASIC v Ingleby, acting for the CFO in the Securency and Note Printing Australia foreign bribery prosecution, and SKM, the first contested foreign bribery and corruption trial under section 70.2 of the criminal code to run to verdict.
David has previously worked at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, where he was involved in enforcement and compliance, liaising with investigators and conducting litigation on behalf of the authority.
Clients trust in David's outstanding ability to resolve complex and sensitive commercial and corporate disputes, and appreciate his competitive and commercially-minded approach to assist them to achieve their strategic objectives.
David has been consistently recognised for his expertise in the listings below:
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Doyle's Guide 2017, 2019 to 2021 - Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution
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Doyle's Guide 2018 to 2021 and 2023 - Insolvency and Restructuring
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The Best Lawyers in Australia 2023 to 2024 - Insolvency and Reorganization Law
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The Best Lawyers in Australia 2024 - Litigation
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The Best Lawyers in Australia 2024 - Product Liability Litigation
David's recent experience includes:
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Representing clients examined before the Australian Securities Commission and general advice regarding compliance with notices served under the Australian Securities Commission Act
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Conducting litigation for plaintiffs and defendants in the Magistrates, County and Supreme Courts of Victoria, the Federal Court of Australia
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Appearances in Magistrates, County, Supreme, Federal and High Courts representing individuals and corporations
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Advising on and conducting litigation in relation to directors and officers fiduciary duties as well as acting on behalf of shareholders and creditors in disputes with companies and their directors
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Conducting litigation under the Trade Practices Act and Fair Trading Act
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Conducting Companies Code and Corporations Law litigation
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Conducting litigation relating to takeovers
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Class actions, defences and advice
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Conducting leasehold litigation including actions pursuant to the Property Law Act and the Transfer of Land Act
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Directors litigation including breach of duty and internal disputes
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Advising and conducting litigation pursuant to the Food Act
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Reviewing and advising on debt collection procedures by corporations and individuals
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Obtaining and enforcing judgments internationally​
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Conducting and defending corporate windings up in the Federal and Supreme Courts
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Conducting and defending bankruptcy applications in Federal Court of Australia
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Acting in relation to examinations under Section 19 of the ASIC Act
- Acting in relation to Banning Order hearings in relation to Section 600 of the Corporations Law.
David was admitted to practice in 1988, and holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws.