David focuses on public-private partnerships involving the acquisition, financing, maintenance, and development of infrastructure in the United States. He serves as the global head of our Public-Private Partnerships and Infrastructure Practice. Prior to returning to private practice in 2009, David served as the Chief Counsel of the Federal Transit Administration and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy at the US Department of Transportation. In July 2025, David was appointed by US Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy to serve on the US Department of Transportation Advisory Board.

Recognized by Chambers USA as a "Leader in the Field" (Band 1) in the category of USA Projects: PPP (Nationwide), David is one of the few practitioners in the US PPP market with combined experience in the transactional, public policy and federal regulatory aspects of infrastructure public-private partnerships.

David is described by clients as "stellar," "extremely professional and dedicated," as well as having "a unique combination of expertise," and being "able to take extremely complex subjects and make them easy to understand." - Chambers USA 2024-2025

"Highly responsive and shrewd." - Chambers USA 2024

"We couldn't be happier with them. On a scale of one to ten, I'd give them a nine because I don't give any tens." - Chambers USA 2023

"David and his team quickly got up to speed on the deal points and were able to add value immediately." - Chambers USA 2022

"David has an excellent awareness of client needs and PPP market trends, enabling him to deliver timely and relevant advice." - Chambers USA 2022

"He is very sharp, knowledgeable and proactive." - Chambers USA 2021

"He understands the wider context, tailoring his approach depending on the stage of the project, which makes it more efficient for everybody." - Chambers USA 2020

"He is candid and an excellent deal attorney. He thinks about pragmatic approaches to issues, not just legal but on the business side as well. He is well researched across a number of areas, with experience in roads, ports and water." - Chambers USA 2019

Bar Admissions

Education
JD, Washington and Lee University School of Law, 2000

MPhil, Politics, Oxford University, 1993

BA, Political Science, Kenyon College, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 1991