David is a Partner at Holmes, advising insurance and commercial clients on insurance litigation and dispute resolution.
He specialises in complex commercial litigation and insurance law, with expertise in professional negligence, financial lines and aviation insurance disputes..
David is dual qualified and entitled to practise in England & Wales, a registered solicitor in Northern Ireland since 2003 and registered in the Republic of Ireland since 2014. He joined Holmes in April 2026, having previously been a Partner and Head of Litigation at a large litigation practice in Ireland.
Recent Work Highlights
- One of the lead defence lawyers in recent Aircraft Litigation, representing global insurers across all 6 cases before the Irish courts, which had a combined value of €4.3bn.
- Co-author of the only Irish legal text dealing exclusively with professional indemnity law in Ireland, and a contracted author of a forthcoming text on insurance claims in Ireland (with three Senior Counsel).
- Regularly delivers CPD and industry updates to colleagues and insurance professionals and has contributed to leading legal publications such as the Law Society Gazzette, Business Plus magazine and the Construction, Engineering and Energy law Journal of Ireland.
Professional Appointments
- Grade 1 Sports Arbitrator for the Disputes Resolution Authority of the GAA since 2005, having chaired numerous panels determining the outcome of sporting disputes.
- Guest lecturer to undergraduates at Maynooth University on sports arbitration.
- Former Independent Legal Chair of the Disciplinary Committee of the Irish Football Association.
- Currently sits on the National Appeals Panel for Cycling Ireland.
Awards & Recognition
- 2021 Irish Law Awards - Litigation Lawyer of the Year (peer award by the Law Society of Ireland).
- UK & Ireland Legal 500 - recognised Insurance and Commercial Litigation Lawyer.
- Who’s Who Legal - globally recognised as a leading Professional Negligence Lawyer (2019 to date).
- Chambers Legal Guide - Recognised as a notable practitioner
- Advanced Leadership Practice 2019 - awarded by the Timoney Leadership Institute in conjunction with IESE and Harvard universities.
Education & Qualifications
- 2019 - Certificate in advanced leadership (ALP) from Timoney Institute
- 2014 - Admitted to Roll of Solicitors in Ireland
- 2001–2003 - Institute of Professional Legal Studies, Belfast - Certificate of Professional Legal Studies.
- 1994–1997 - University of Wales, Portobello College - LL.B (Hons).
