David has a BA from St. Francis Xavier University (1985) andan LLB from University of Ottawa (1989). He was called to the Bar of Ontario(1991) and has worked continuously since that time as litigation counsel; first,with Scott & Aylen in Ottawa until its merger with Borden Ladner GervaisLLP (BLG) where he remained throughout his career as a Partner. David is now SeniorCounsel at BLG.
David is called to the Bar of Nunavut (2018) and acts aslitigation counsel and advisor to the Government of Nunavut. He also holdstemporary, case-based calls in the Yukon. David is a member of the Canadian BarAssociation, the County of Carleton Law Association, and the Advocates’ Society.
David regularly appears as litigation counsel in largemulti-party construction disputes, tendering and procurements matters, (both inthe federal sphere before the CITT and in Superior Courts), professionalliability cases, major commercial disputes (shareholder, large contract matters,and general corporate and commercial cases), and in administrative law matters.
David was lead counsel to the Catholic Church in the 3.5year long Cornwall Public Inquiry into how institutions handled allegations ofsexual abuse. He is now acting on the Public Inquiry into the Construction ofthe Winnipeg Police Services Headquarters.
David is a past National Chair of BLG’s Media and DefamationLaw Group. He has, throughout his career, acted extensively as defence counselto the print media and to Plaintiffs in defamation cases
David routinely acts as defence counsel in professionaldiscipline cases. He holds the Osgoode Law School Certificate in ProfessionalRegulation and Discipline in the Ontario Health Care Sector.
David has extensive experience before the Ontario Court ofJustice, Superior Court of Justice and Court of Appeal, the Federal Court, theCanadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT), the Canadian and Ontario HumanRights Tribunals, the Ontario Municipal Board and a variety of other boards,investigative committees and commissions of inquiry as well as in privatearbitrations of commercial matters.
David holds an Osgoode Hall Law School Certificate in Public Procurement Law and Practice. He has received Certificates with the ADR Institute of Ontario Inc. for completion of the Comprehensive Arbitration Training Course and of the Ethical Considerations for ADR Professionals (i.e., “ADRIO Ethics Workshop”).
David was recognized in * the 2025 edition (andsince 2024) of The Best Lawyers in Canada® (Administrative and PublicLaw) and since 2011 (Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Public ProcurementLaw), * the 2025 Lexology Index: Projects &Procurement (formerly Who's Who Legal), * the 2025 (and since2015) Benchmark Canada – The Definitive Guide to Canada’s LeadingLitigation Firms & Attorneys as a "Local Litigation Star:Ontario" and a "Litigation Star: Construction and ProfessionalLiability," * the 2024 (and since 2023) of Who's Who Legal:Canada (Government Contracts), * the 2023 (and since 2013) The Canadian LegalLexpert® Directory (Litigation - Corporate Commercial; ProfessionalLiability) and 2019 (Construction) and * the 2023 Lexpert SpecialEdition Litigation.
David received the 2010 Lexpert Gold Litigation ChangeAgent Award for significant contributions to the advancement of the rights ofchildren with disabilities through litigation.
David is a past director of the Ottawa School ofArt, the Ottawa School of Dance, the Autism Society of Ontario, and the SpecialEducation Advisory Committee of the Ottawa Carleton Catholic School Board.