David has extensive experience of commercial litigation, professional negligence matters and trust disputes, often with cross-border or jurisdictional issues.
Experience
David has acted for trustees, investment banks and beneficiaries in contentious or semi-contentious matters, such as defending trustees against claims for breach of trust, acting in relation to variations of trust and advising trustees and beneficiaries on their obligations and rights in respect of the trusts.
Recent public matters include: Walker et al –v- Egerton-Vernon et al in which David acted for one of the former trustees of a settlement established by the late entrepreneur Jack Walker in defending a claim in excess of £100 million (and settled on confidential terms).
David advises directors, shareholders and corporate service providers on contentious corporate matters such as shareholder or board disputes, claims against directors and advice on issues such as potential conflicts of interest.
Recent work includes acting for the Independent Directors in Carlyle Capital Corporation Limited (in liquidation) and ors –v- Conway Jr and ors in their successful defence of a claim for in excess of $1 billion brought by the liquidators of Carlyle Capital Corporation Limited (in liquidation).
David was admitted to the Bar of the British Virgin Islands in June 2025.
"I enjoy working as part of the client's team to achieve the outcome they need. This often requires a view of the bigger picture as well as the immediate litigation the client is facing. "
Services
We live in an increasingly contentious world. When your business is involved in any kind of legal dispute it's crucial to work with lawyers who are hands-on, cost-effective and flexible enough to respond quickly and intuitively to your unique situation and needs.
In regulatory disputes there are often fine lines between the usual wrangling with the regulator and something more serious – by matching our mix of experienced contentious and non-contentious lawyers to the particular problem at hand, we achieve better and more efficient outcomes.
As regulatory experts in the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey we frequently act on contentious matters and can leverage our experience to help clients achieve the highest regulatory standards and avoid common pitfalls.
We combine pragmatic risk assessment with rigorous legal advice and compliance guidance to reduce exposure and protect reputation, while drawing on our cross-jurisdictional knowledge to design remediation strategies, negotiate with regulators and, where necessary, litigate effectively.
Our collaborative approach ensures clients receive clear, actionable legal advice that balances regulatory obligations with commercial realities, delivers timely, proportionate solutions and supports remediation plans, helping prevent escalation into more serious enforcement action and preserve business continuity.
Our dispute resolution specialists collaborate seamlessly with our corporate advisory and banking teams across jurisdictions to advise multinational corporations, trust companies, banks, funds, insurers, governments and directors.
We provide a global perspective, working closely with our clients to ensure that they are best placed to respond to customer issues, fraud risks, rapidly changing market conditions and regulatory demands.
Thanks to the depth of our experience and the resources of our team, we've acted on some of the largest pieces of litigation brought against directors offshore.
We're well placed to deal with the 'bet the farm' proceedings that can occur in these type of disputes and have represented parties involved in intra-company disputes, including executive, non-executive and independent directors, majority and minority shareholders, companies and liquidators. We understand that shareholder disputes are often not black and white and our team finds innovative and commercial alternatives to those which the Court may offer – taking a collaborative approach with our clients to ensure that the right result is achieved.
We represent beneficiaries, high-net-worth individuals, trustees, protectors and other power holders in a range of contentious and semi-contentious situations. Our lawyers have been at the forefront of the most complex, high-value private wealth litigation offshore.
We often deal with novel points of law, creating new and innovative solutions to meet the needs of our clients.
Given the international nature of private wealth, with clients and their assets spread across the world, we work as a joined-up global team so that our clients can benefit from the knowledge and experience wherever they may need it.
With offices in Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey, our contentious private wealth lawyers combine courtroom skill with discreet client care, advising on jurisdictional strategy, interim relief and complex equitable claims.
Our experienced team represent clients in a range of private, contractual and commercial real estate disputes.
Widely regarded as the preferred advisors for numerous high-net-worth individuals and families, we regularly assist in navigating disputes related to private matters, property (including boundary disputes), trusts, and family issues.
Our real estate disputes lawyers combine specialist real estate litigation experience with commercial pragmatism to deliver tailored strategies across negotiation, mediation and court proceedings. They provide measured advice on risk, costs and likely outcomes, and protect client interests through proactive case management and evidence gathering, working closely with commercial, tax, trust and family law specialists where disputes intersect.
With offices in Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey, our real estate disputes team’s practical focus is on achieving durable resolutions that preserve value and client relationships.
Additionally, our arbitration specialists are increasingly being used as a cost-effective, confidential and efficient alternative to court litigation in resolving commercial and construction disputes.
We advise both plaintiffs and defendants on personal injury and clinical negligence claims on and have represented some of the largest insurers in the UK.
Disputes between directors can threaten the stability and governance of a company. We advise boards, individual directors, shareholders and stakeholders in contentious matters involving boardroom deadlock, removal or appointment of directors and conflicts of interest.
Drawing on our corporate, regulatory and dispute resolution expertise, we provide strategic advice in navigating internal power struggles and fiduciary issues. Our cross-border teams work cohesively to resolve disputes efficiently, protect business continuity and mitigate reputational risk.
Whether acting in private companies, joint ventures or complex corporate structures, we help clients manage director-level disputes with clarity and confidence.
Our offshore dispute resolution lawyers work closely with our regulatory and insurance teams to advise law firms, accountants, surveyors, and other professionals and their professional indemnity insurers across our various jurisdictions. We take a coordinated and considered approach to professional negligence claims, helping clients navigate reputational risks, complex liability issues and evolving regulatory expectations.
David O’Hanlon is smart and always engaged, not just from a legal perspective but also strategically.
Legal 500
David O’Hanlon brings clears-sightedness, good sense and commerciality to difficult cases and handles them with skill.
Legal 500 (UK) 2023
David O’Hanlon – commercially minded, talented lawyer with sound judgement and good strategic insight.
Legal 500 2024 (UK)
David O’Hanlon is responsive and helpful – a good strategic thinker.
Legal 500
A calm and astute lawyer.
We appreciate, beyond words, you 'being there'.
Client feedback
David O'Hanlon is strategically strong and good at thinking of creative angles and taking into account the commercial realities of the case. He is a real pleasure to work with and technically great.
Chambers UK Guide 2026
An individual who stands out is David O'Hanlon.
David O’Hanlon is calm and understated but firm in his advice. Willing to take on board client strategic views and to advise having regard to the ultimate aims.
Legal 500 2022
