/Home/UK/David Smellie
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

Discover other Lawyers at
Farrer & Co LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

London (Firms)

Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Simon Pring
1
Simon Pring
1
Band 1
View Profile
Edmund Fetherston-Dilke
2
Edmund Fetherston-Dilke
2
Band 2
View Profile
James Maxwell
2
James Maxwell
2
Band 2
View Profile
Paul Krafft
4
Paul Krafft
4
Band 4
View Profile
Commercial and Corporate Litigation
Kate Allass
3
Kate Allass
3
Band 3
View Profile
Jolyon Connell
5
Jolyon Connell
5
Band 5
View Profile
Construction: Non-contentious
Edward Banyard Smith
5
Edward Banyard Smith
5
Band 5
View Profile
Clare Reddy
6
Clare Reddy
6
Band 6
View Profile
Corporate/M&A: £10-100 million
Richard Lane
2
Richard Lane
2
Band 2
View Profile
Employment: Employer
David Hunt
4
David Hunt
4
Band 4
View Profile
Rachel Lewis
4
Rachel Lewis
4
Band 4
View Profile
Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation
Anna Birtwistle
1
Anna Birtwistle
1
Band 1
View Profile
Employment: Employer: Third Sector
Kathleen Heycock
1
Kathleen Heycock
1
Band 1
View Profile
Rachel Lewis
2
Rachel Lewis
2
Band 2
View Profile
Employment: Senior Executive
Anna Birtwistle
1
Anna Birtwistle
1
Band 1
View Profile
David Smellie
1
David Smellie
1
Band 1
View Profile
Eleanor Rowswell
1
Eleanor Rowswell
1
Band 1
View Profile
Kathleen Heycock
4
Kathleen Heycock
4
Band 4
View Profile
Charmaine Pollock
U
Charmaine Pollock
U
Up and Coming
View Profile
Family/Children Law
Sarah Hutchinson
3
Sarah Hutchinson
3
Band 3
View Profile
20 of 71 results