David is an experienced corporate and commercial lawyer who co-leads the firm’s national security practice from Canberra.
His mix of industry and government experience, coupled with his expertise in M&A, commercial work and associated regulatory regimes, means he is uniquely placed to assist industry to deliver on government priorities – from initial establishment of a new business, to driving growth through procurement success and strategic M&A / joint ventures, and assistance across the procurement lifecycle and ongoing regulatory requirements. David’s experience includes many significant projects, including in materiel acquisition and sustainment across the naval, land and air domains, as well as guided weapons/explosive ordnance and strategic infrastructure and services.
He has significant expertise in private treaty M&A for financial sponsors and strategic buyers, as well as in establishing corporate structures and joint ventures, including to meet the bespoke requirements of projects. David has closed dozens of transactions across numerous sectors, with a current focus on inorganic growth, supply chain resilience and consolidation and tech/other disruptors in the defence and national security industries. He also works with many financial sponsors and their portfolio companies investing in technology/software as a service businesses.
He is recognised by Chambers & Partners as one of four Band 1 lawyers in Australia for foreign investment and is regarded as “extremely knowledgeable, highly responsive and very client-friendly” and “an expert at everything”.
Work highlights
Defence investment and projects
Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise (GWEO)
Advising Kongsberg Defence Australia in its establishment of the first missile production and maintenance facility in Australia.
AUKUS
Advising in relation to AUKUS supply chain establishment matters.
Sea
Advising in relation to submarines, frigates and offshore patrol vessels including Luerssen’s A$2.4 billion contract to build and sustain offshore patrol vessels for the Royal Australian Navy.
Land
Advising Rheinmetall MAN in its A$1.4 billion contract for medium-heavy trucks and modules to the Australian Army, Rheinmetall Australia on its Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence in Redbank, Queensland, Hanwha Australia in its A$4.5 billion infantry fighting vehicle, A$1 billion self-propelled howitzer projects and the Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence in Geelong, Victoria.
Air
Advising in relation to electronic warfare systems, helicopters and air traffic management systems.
Veterans and community
Advising the Sir Richard Williams Foundation, Soldier On and Fortem Australia on corporate law matters.
M&A and private equity
Financial sponsors
Advising financial sponsors on various investments, including primary, secondary and continuation transactions for financial sponsors and their portfolio companies, including Vista Private Equity, K1 Management, Francisco Partners, Insight Partners, Veritas and TA Associates.
Strategic buyers
Advising strategic buyers, including Vail Resorts Inc in its acquisition of Falls Creek and Mount Hotham ski resorts for A$174 million and Extreme Reach in its acquisition and integration of Adstream.
Foreign investment
Financial sponsors
Go-to adviser for financial sponsors across their portfolios on all foreign investment matters.
Various clients
Advising on complex and sensitive foreign investment matters, including engagement with other advisers on politically sensitive or national security impacts of the investment.
FIRB approval
Obtaining FIRB approval for Australian and international transactions, including in the agriculture, defence, energy & resources, funds management, private equity, property, renewables, technology, telecommunications, transport and other sectors.
Various clients
Ongoing compliance and reporting assistance, as well as audit and retrospective clearance services.