Dave is a member of Simpson Grierson's corporate and commercial team, based in Wellington. 

Dave's practice has a particular focus on energy, mainly in the areas of electricity and oil and gas, where he has extensive experience.  In the electricity sector Dave has provided advice to clients across the entire spectrum of the industry, including generator/retailers, transmission and distribution companies, major users and industry service providers.  His work covers a wide range of areas including industry reform, major contracts, transmission system operation, and futures and hedge arrangements.  In the oil and gas sector Dave's most recent experience has been in the upstream industry, providing advice to exploration companies on a range of matters including joint ventures, field development issues, regulatory compliance, major supply contracts and gas and liquids sales arrangements.  Dave also has experience acting for BP in the wholesale and retail sectors of the petroleum industry, with involvement in a number of BP's major supply and partnering arrangements over the last few years.

Dave's other main practice area is mergers and acquisitions.  His experience covers the full spectrum of transactions, including sale/purchase strategy and process, information memoranda, due diligence and contract negotiation and drafting.

Dave's clients include both corporate (from major listed and private entities to mid-range and small businesses) and government sector entities.  He advises on a wide range of issues with particular emphasis on major contracts, governance (both for corporates and other entities), and joint ventures.

Dave also has considerable experience in a business environment outside of private practice.  Dave has been Legal Manager and Board Secretary for Solid Energy New Zealand Limited and General Manager, Legal & Risk for the New Zealand Racing Board/TAB.  This experience has given Dave valuable insight into business drivers and role that legal advice plays within a business, and has shaped the approach that Dave takes to his practice.

• BP - establishment of "Fuel Dockets" scheme with Foodstuffs
• Cargill Inc - establishment of Spring Creek mining joint venture, and associated acquisition, shareholder, operating, transport and sale contracts
• OMV - sale of Pohokura gas to Contact Energy and development of Pohokura field
• Crown/Treasury - sale of geothermal assets to Mighty River Power
• Transpower - negotiation of System Operator contract with the Electricity Commission
• Powerco - development of greenfields gas distribution network in Tasmania and preparation of associated major contracts including use of system agreements, distribution services agreements and retail gas sales contracts
• EMS - negotiation of Reconciliation Manager contract with the Electricity Commission
• BP - restructuring of 2go shop programme as a co-operative company
• OMV - settlement of Maui Gas contract issues, and renegotiation of arrangements for the Maui gas field with other seller parties, the Crown, Contact Energy, NGC and Methanex
• Transpower - advice on Electricity Governance Regulations and Rules, with particular focus on system operation, wholesale market issues, and transport rules
• BP - major fuel sales arrangements and strategic relationship contracts, including arrangements with Gasoline Alley Services and with Foodstuffs (Pak'n Save fuel outlets)
• Corporate acquisitions and dispositions for various clients, including BP (sale of industrial lubricants business), Tui/Preussag (sale of NZ oil and gas assets to OMV), Unison (acquisition of electricity lines business from United Networks), AXA (acquisition of the Sterling Grace Group and disposition of health insurance and trustee services business), Royal Sun Alliance (acquisition of AMP's general insurance portfolio) and EMS (sale of metering business to NGC)
• EMS - establishment and listing of electricity futures products on Sydney Futures Exchange
• Crown - resolution of issues related to the Blenheim oil wells in New Plymouth
• NZRU - sponsorship and broadcasting arrangements