Current practice
David is a partner practising in Dispute Resolution, Litigation and Arbitration, based out of Freehills' Melbourne office. He has extensive experience in the active formal and informal resolution of disputes by tailored and alternative approaches, as well as formal arbitration, litigation, adjudication and expert processes.
Operating across a wide range of jurisdictions and industries, David primarily acts in connection with construction, energy, mining, engineering and related infrastructure. His experience also includes advising on and drafting project tender and contract documents and he is familiar with complex project financing, offtake, joint venture, maintenance and operation transfer structures and related issues.
David also advises on contract management processes and structures and is a Melbourne University lecturer in the Law Faculty Masters in Construction course, as well as a past lecturer in PPP Contract Management at Melbourne University Private.
Experience
Some significant matters in which David has been involved include acting for:
- Rubicon/Sea Production group regarding the Puffin oil field, including international arbitration and Supreme and Appellate Court proceedings
- Rio Tinto regarding the major upgrade of the Argyle pink diamond mine in the East Kimberley
- Santos regarding interests in the PNG LNG project
- SN Power and Pacific Hydro regarding the La Confluencia hydroelectric power project in Chile
- Orica in connection with outages and supply contracts for Orica's strategic Kooragang Island manufacturing plant
- BHPB concerning the Illawarra Coal Mine
- InterOil regarding the Napa Napa oil refinery development
- Santos concerning issues arising out of the VicP44, Evans Shoal, Fairhaven and other assets
- ERM Power regarding various power station developments around Australia, including Queensland and Western Australia
- United Group regarding the EastLink toll road project in Victoria
- Basslink regarding the major subsea interconnector between Tasmania and Victoria
Professional background
David holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Jurisprudence (majoring in accounting).
David is also the Melbourne University Law Faculty lecturer in Avoidance, Management and Resolution of Construction Disputes in the Masters in Construction course, and past lecturer in PPP Contract Management for Melbourne university Private.
As well as holding membership of various industry bodies, David is an Associate of the Australian Institute of Arbitrators & Mediators Australia and a past Committee Member of the Building Dispute Practitioners Society.
