David Chisnall

David is Bell Gully’s lead commercial property partner in Wellington and specialises in the structuring, procurement and delivery of large-scale construction and development projects.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​David has a wealth of negotiating experience, including in the highly political Te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi settlement area, and is also the trusted direct New Zealand negotiator for international clients such as Host Hotels & Resorts, the largest hotel accommodation company in the US.

David's strength is to contribute his negotiating and legal experience in a straight forward way to facilitate transactions and obtain commercially valuable outcomes for clients. This is recognised by Asia Law Business who has described him as "client-focused, outcome focused and having vast experience in projects."

David has led external legal teams advising public and private sector clients on many nationally significant projects and joint ventures across various industries, including infrastructure (roading, rail, ports and hydro-schemes), tourism and hospitality, forestry and large-scale development and construction projects.

He is also an expert in Te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi issues, having acted for Ngāi Tahu on its historic Treaty Settlement and as legal advisor to the Government on the "Treelords" Central North Island Forests Settlement.​​

David is ranked as a leading lawyer for real estate in Chambers Asia Pacific 2021, recognised for his “active practice assisting clients in relation to development and redevelopment projects." Clients noted that David is “very experienced, innovative and detail-focused, and he has the ability to convey a wide range of thoughts clearly." In previous editions, clients have commented that David is "a very practical and commercial lawyer" who is praised for his ability in both property transactions and construction matters.

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2022 ranks David as a leading individual for real estate and construction.​ David is also recognised as highly regarded for his project development work by the IFLR 2022.​

David is recognised by Doyles Guide 2021 as a preeminent lawyer for Construction, Projects and Infrastructure in New Zealand. Doyle’s Guide 2020 also recognised David as recommended in Māori Land & Treaty of Waitangi Law.