David began a common law pupillage under the supervision of Sara Sutherland in September 2023. During his first six, David observed a wide range of common law work, including personal injury, clinical negligence, inquests, commercial disputes, property damage, and data protection.
Before coming to the Bar, David had a 15-year career in the Civil Service, working in a range of national security roles across central Government. From 2018-2022, he worked for the Investigatory Powers Commissioner (Sir Adrian Fulford, succeeded by Sir Brian Leveson) as an Inspector, overseeing the use of investigatory powers by the intelligence agencies. David led inspections on some of the most difficult and contentious powers, including bulk interception and detention operations overseas. He also led an investigation into serious compliance failings in a technology environment at MI5, the findings of which were later used in proceedings at the Investigatory Powers Tribunal and summarised in Parliament by the Home Secretary.
David hopes to draw on this past experience in building a broad civil practice, with a particular emphasis on local and central government and public authorities.
