David joined the firm in April 2020. He now heads the Dispute Resolution team in the London office comprising of the Property Litigation, Intellectual Property, and Commercial Litigation teams.
David specialises in residential property rights and agency and has experience of a wide range of property litigation. He is particularly well known for his work in:
- Agent terms of business and other contracts;
- Tenancy agreements and licences;
- Consumer protection and rights;
- Agent regulation including Client Money Protection, data protection and anti-money laundering;
- Landlord regulation including property standards, deposit protection and property licensing;
- Building Safety;
- Welsh law;
- Public affairs and political representation;
- Mediation representation.
David has written or contributed to a large number of books, newspaper and journal articles on these topics and is highly sought after as a speaker and lecturer.
David also has substantial expertise in regulatory matters, particularly as they relate to property issues although he has advised on regulation in other areas as well. He has substantial expertise in advising on Anti-Money Laundering practice and procedure and the boundaries of FCA regulation as it relates to lending secured on property. David also has significant expertise in advising on the GDPR and its application in the UK and Europe. He has provided advice and training on this topic and has written a well-received book.
David originally did a degree and doctorate in International Relations at the University of Wales before training as a solicitor at the College of Law. He did his training contract at PainSmith Solicitors in Hampshire before joining Anthony Gold Solicitors on qualification and rapidly rising to partnership before coming to JMW.
David Smith, on the residential real estate side, is a market-leader who knows more about the private rental sector that anyone else in the field.