Over the past 35 years David has forged a rich and diverse legal career path that has spanned two continents, (at least) 10 areas of law, and work as a litigator, lecturer, consultant, and anthropologist. He has advised on matters ranging from federal prosecutions to family law, employment contracts to criminal charges, land claims to labour disputes. His clients have included individuals, provincial and federal governments, First Nations, community organizations and unions.
For the last 2 decades, David’s practice has centered on workplace law and professional disciplinary matters. As a labour lawyer, he provides advice to both public and private sector trade unions on collective bargaining, grievance mediations and arbitrations and human rights. In his employment law work, David’s primary focus is on representing and advising employees with wrongful dismissal claims.,. He also works for First Nations communities and organizations as well as non-profits in labour and employment matters. David also assists regulated professionals such as nurses, teachers and psychologists who are facing licensing or disciplinary issues with their governing bodies
After his call to the Bar of British Columbia, David was based in Terrace and worked throughout the northern part of the province before moving to Western Australia and being admitted to that state’s Bar. Splitting his time “down under” between Perth and the Kimberley, he also put his MA in Social Anthropology to good use, providing consulting services to Land Councils and Aboriginal Corporations on issues relating to land rights and land use conflicts, and the protection of cultural and natural resources. After his return to Canada, David was based in Ottawa for a number of years as a consultant on First Nations issues. David has taught courses on various legal topics at both Edith Cowan University in Perth, Western Australia and UBC Okanagan in Kelowna.
Away from work, David has turned his energies to social betterment and he has been a Board member with the Social Planning Council of the North Okanagan and the Restorative Justice Society of the North Okanagan. He has regularly shared his expertise on social justice issues and Indigenous rights through both speaking engagements and academic writings. David is an active cross country mountain biker and skier, snowboarder and, with his wife of almost four decades, an avid adventure traveler.
