David was elected Chief Executive and National Managing Partner in 1991, on the formation of the firm, and was responsible for the development and management of the firm Australia wide. He was also in charge of the London and Canberra offices and responsible for the firm's worldwide affiliation with Jones Day Reavis & Pogue.

During this time, David also coordinated the firm's national practice group structure to ensure the firm brought to each major project its best resources and delivered the highest legal services. He also established two specialist consultancies within the firm - Corr Solutions and Corrs Schneider.

David was admitted to practice as a Barrister and Solicitor in 1969 and to partnership in the firm Maddock Lonie & Chisholm in 1971. He combined his extensive litigation practice with the role of Managing Partner of the firm from 1980 to 1990. David joined the partnership of Corrs Australian Solicitors (later Corrs Chamber and Westgarth) in 1990 as head of the litigation department in Melbourne.

In February 2000, David was appointed Chair for the Innovation Summit Implementation Group by Senator Minchin, Minister for Industry Science & Resources. The Federal Government and the Business Council of Australia convened the National Innovation Summit to map out a national approach for advancing innovation in Australia.

David currently holds a number of positions within the local and international business and sporting fields, including: Member, Executive, Australia-Chile Business & Investment Council; Chairman of the Global Foundation; Chairman, Innovation Summit Implementation Group and Chairman, Australian Motor Sport Appeal Court; Member, Executive and Board, of the Committee for Melbourne and Chairman of Austsolve.

David was appointed by the Federal Government as Chairman of the National Innovation Awareness Council in July 2001.

Throughout his career David has been active in community affairs, particularly where they relate to the law. He has held a number of important posts, including: President, Law Institute of Victoria; President Law Council of Australia; Law Council of Australia representative on International Bar Association Council and Member, Legal Practice Board of Victoria. David is an Honorary Life Member of the Law Institute of Victoria and a Member of the Law Council of Australia and the International Bar Association.