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Before becoming a barrister, David was a teacher
and youth worker in outer London. The catchment area of his schools
included several large high-rise council estates that housed many
families and exhibited high levels of need. He established many
community based support schemes for parents dealing with demanding
children and teenagers.
David then moved into a London borough Social Services department
where he headed a community development project extending the family
support schemes across the borough. His work took him into further
involvement with a wide range of voluntary organisations.
In Cambridge, David established and headed a large community development
programme for the local authority, establishing a network of new
community centres and local access points for families within their
communities.
Then came the law. A first class honours degree from Sheffield University
was followed by the award of the Everard Ver Hayden Advocacy Prize
at the ICSL in 1991.
David’s interest in family law draws upon his wide experience
in his early career. He represents parents in both public and private
law cases and local authorities, and has developed a special interest
in working with parents who have a learning disability.
Following a highly successful conference in Sheffield on this subject,
in 2001 when David organised with the Sheffield Citizen Advocacy
Project, he collaborated with local solicitor Sarah-Jane Lynch on
the production of two books aimed at helping parents with learning
disabilities through the court process. These books have been distributed
nationally and have met with very favourable comments from user
groups, social workers, solicitors and judges.
David is a member of the Family Justice Council and Court Users
Group in Sheffield.
He is always willing to discuss any case with a solicitor, to assist
wherever possible.
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