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David Smellie
Lawyers profile
UK 2025
Lawyers profile | UK 2025: Education: Institutions (Schools), Employment: Senior Executive
David Smellie
Ranked in 2 Practice Areas
1

Band 1

Education: Institutions (Schools)

UK-wide

16 Years Ranked

1

Band 1

Employment: Senior Executive

London (Firms)

13 Years Ranked

About

Provided by David Smellie

UK

Practice Areas

David is consistently rated one of the top employment and safeguarding lawyers in the UK. Whether advising on senior executive moves within PLCs or private equity, or the handling of serious or high-profile safeguarding cases, either past or present, David is acknowledged for the clarity and astuteness of his advice – always looking several steps ahead in an attempt to futureproof whatever action is contemplated now.

In employment law David has consistently been rated amongst the top-rated UK employment lawyers by Chambers and Legal 500. He advises institutional employers on the discrete handling of potentially high-profile employment cases. He is also acknowledged to be one of the leading employment law advisers to senior executives, typically advising on PLC board and private equity moves and departures.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK

Education: Institutions (Schools) - UK-wide

1
Band 1
Individual Editorial
David Smellie heads the dedicated safeguarding unit at Farrer & Co. He advises schools on a variety of issues including historic abuse claims, serious incident cases and proceedings before the SEND Tribunal.
Learn more about this team❖View ranking table

Employment: Senior Executive - London (Firms)

1
Band 1
Individual Editorial
David Smellie has decades of experience and draws widespread praise for his sophisticated representation of senior employees. He is often called upon to advise on team moves and senior exits.
Learn more about this team❖View ranking table

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

David is a leader in education.

Education: Institutions (Schools) respondent
UK

He is a subject matter expert.

Education: Institutions (Schools) respondent
UK

I had an excellent experience with David Smellie.

Education: Institutions (Schools) respondent
UK

David is a really good employment lawyer.

Employment: Senior Executive respondent
UK

He is outstanding with his approach, knowledge and service levels.

Employment: Senior Executive respondent
UK

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