David was appointed Managing Partner in May
2009 to lead the development of Barlow Lyde & Gilbert’s Hong
Kong and China operations. David has been with the firm for 24
years, over 12 of which have been spent in Asia.
David specialises in dispute resolution and
arbitration and in particular professional indemnity claims against
accountants, solicitors, property professionals and others. He has
also been involved in the defence of major professional indemnity
claims in other jurisdictions including Bermuda, the BVI, England,
Malaysia, China, Singapore and Taiwan.
David has extensive experience in the
insurance sector and regularly advises clients in relation to
professional indemnity, directors’ and officers’ liability,
financial lines and special risk claims.
He also advises clients on regulatory,
compliance, disciplinary and risk management matters. In addition,
David also has significant experience in advising Big 4 and
mid-tier accounting firms and other professional service
providers.
David is recognised as a leading individual
for insurance and dispute resolution in Chambers Asia 2009 and
2010. He is also recognised as one of the regions preeminent
insurance and reinsurance lawyers in Asialaw Leading Lawyers and
Practical Law Company/PLC Which Lawyer.
David is a member of the Law Society of Hong
Kong's Professional Indemnity Advisory Committee, the Hong Kong
Institute of Certified Public Accountants Professional Liability
Reform Working Group, and also a member of the Hong Kong Insurers
Club Limited.
“Hong Kong office managing
partner David Smyth is roundly praised for his expertise,
particularly in professional indemnity and insurance matters.
Sources point to his ‘vast experience and commercially relevant
advice’.”
“Smyth's ‘clear advice,
practical help and impressive depth of experience’ make him
‘absolutely fantastic’."
Chambers Asia 2010
“David Smyth heads up the
insurance practice and spends much of his time on related
contentious matters. He has built ‘a sterling reputation as a go-to
lawyer for professional indemnity and liability work’.”
“‘Tenacious litigator’ David
Smyth is ‘highly rated’, particularly in professional negligence.
Clients find him ‘user-friendly’ and his advice ‘succinct and on
the mark’.”
Chambers Asia 2008/2009
“David Smyth is ‘at the top
of professional indemnity insurance’.”
Asia Pacific Legal 500 2009/2010
“David Smyth is recognised as 'trustworthy and
reliable’.”
Asia Pacific Legal 500 2008/2009