David Whear
David Whear
Biography
David Whear is a corporate and regulatory insurance lawyer based in London.
David's experience covers M&A, IPOs, capital raising (debt and equity), restructurings, start-ups and joint ventures. In addition to advising on domestic and global corporate and regulatory issues, he has extensive experience in the Lloyd's market.
David joined the London practice as a partner in 2003. He was previously a partner at another international law firm for six years.
Professional experience
Representative experience
Representative experience
David has advised on a number of high profile transactions in the insurance market including: the sales of Cathedral Capital and the Atrium Group; the recommended takeover of Chaucer by The Hanover Group; the disposal of Swiftcover to AXA; and the first European merger of insurance companies under the Cross Border Merger Regulations. David has also advised on numerous Lloyd's start-ups
Rankings and recognitions
Rankings and recognitions
David is regularly recommended in legal directories which note his ability to ensure a "high and consistent standard of service" and that he has an "extremely measured style and all-encompassing understanding of the area" and is a practitioner who "commands respect as a collaborative and solution-seeking lawyer". Chambers UK 2021 note that he is well-regarded for his command of the Lloyd's market, with one client remarking: "David is one of the go-to practitioners for Lloyd's market work."
Chambers UK 2020, Insurance: Non-contentious (UK-wide):
- "He brings a strategic overview and oversight of the team, as well as gravitas during negotiations," "He is commercial, and combines this with deep domain expertise and excellent industry contacts."
Chambers UK 2019, Insurance: Non-contentious (UK-wide):
- "wealth of knowledge", "very client-friendly and very pragmatic."
Chambers UK 2018, Insurance: Non-contentious (UK-wide):
- "His knowledge of the insurance market is very deep," "He is very commercial and unflappable."
Admissions
Admissions
- Solicitor, qualified in England & Wales
Publications
Publications
A Practitioner's Guide to The FSA Regulation of Lloyd's
The Encyclopaedia of Forms and Precedents 16(3) Financial Services
Co-authored a chapter on "Closing books of business" in Research Handbook on International Insurance Law and Regulation, published by Edward Elgar.
Speaking engagements
Speaking engagements
David is a regular speaker at industry seminars.
Memberships and activities
Memberships and activities
The Solvency II working group, ARC (now the Insurance & Reinsurance Legacy Association)
Insights and news
