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Experience

David practises primarily in public and commercial law. He also accepts briefs in State revenue law matters, equity and trusts, quasi-criminal and general appellate matters.

Before coming to the Bar, David was a senior solicitor in the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office (Constitution and Advice Team), and Crown Counsel at the Office of the Solicitor-General in Tasmania. In the latter position, David was briefed to appear for and advise a wide range of clients in areas including constitutional law, administrative law, discrimination law, state revenue law and trusts law (including charitable trusts). He appeared, both led and unled, in all levels of Tasmanian courts and in the High Court of Australia.

David holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours in Law from the University of Tasmania.

David is reading with Sarah Zeleznikow, and his senior mentor is Chris Young KC.

Matters in which David appeared during his time as Crown Counsel include:

High Court

• Citta Hobart Pty Ltd v Cawthorn (2022) 96 ALJR 476

         Led by S K Kay SC for the Attorney-General for the State of Tasmania (Intervening)

• Bell v State of Tasmania (2021) 96 ALJR 22

         Led by M E O’Farrell SC for the Attorney-General for the State of Tasmania (Intervening)

• Gerner v Victoria (2020) 270 CLR 412

         Led by S K Kay for the Attorney-General for the State of Tasmania (Intervening)

Full Court of the Supreme Court of Tasmania

• Casimaty v Hazell Bros Pty Ltd (2023) 416 ALR 163

         Led by S K Kay SC for the Attorney-General for the State of Tasmania

• Attorney-General v CL (2018) 28 Tas R 70

         Led by M E O’Farrell SC for the Attorney-General for the State of Tasmania

• Holden v State of Tasmania (2018) 30 Tas R 414

         Led by P Turner SC for the State of Tasmania

• Gunns Ltd v State of Tasmania (2016) 25 Tas R 276.

         Led by M E O’Farrell SC for the State of Tasmania