About David

David Laidlaw was appointed Partner Emeritus in 2026.

The role of Emeritus Partner recognises a former Partner who has made an exceptional contribution to the development, reputation and leadership of Maddocks, who remains associated with the firm  and who is able to assist the firm with strategic input on significant matters, support client relationships, mentor partners and senior lawyers, and contribute to Maddocks' profile and reputation as an ambassador for the firm.

David joined Maddocks (then Maddock, Lonie and Chisholm) in 1978 and was a partner of the firm for 44 years until his retirement from the partnership in September 2022.  

He led Maddocks from 1990-2008, successively as Executive Partner, Chairman, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive, during a period of transformative growth that fundamentally changed the trajectory of the firm.

Under David’s leadership, with the energetic support of a key group of partners and practice support leaders, the firm evolved from a local government and insurance litigation practice of around 50 people, into the commercial and government firm we are today. 

During David’s tenure, the firm adopted its Core Values, established and grew new practices in commercial and commercial litigation, government, property, construction and workplace law and sophisticated practice support teams in finance, human resources, marketing and IT, set up Maddocks Sydney office and rebranded from Maddock Lonie and Chisholm to become simply ‘Maddocks’. 

By 2008, the number of lawyers and staff had grown from around 50 people to more than 400.

David’s legal practice spanned high profile litigation, regulatory inquiries and complex disputes involving major corporations and government regulators. His work included acting for the Building Commission Victoria in developing the compulsory insurance scheme for the building industry.

His contributions to the wider legal profession, have included serving on the boards of Melbourne University's Asian Law Centre, the Victorian Legal Practitioners Liability Committee, and the Federal Attorney General's International Legal Services Advisory Council, and acting as a consultant to the World Bank and AusAID in legal sector development in South East Asia.

David continues to contribute to the legal sector, as co-chairman of the Melbourne University Law School Foundation.

Experience

• Litigation

  Playing a key negotiation and litigation role in relation to issues arising from the McCabe tobacco litigation.

• Policy

  Playing a key role in the development of the compulsory insurance scheme for the Victorian building industry.

• Dispute, resolution & litigation

  Defence of 800 residents’ group action claims in negligence and nuisance arising from landfill gas migration from a closed landfill.

• Dispute, resolution & litigation

  Acting for defendants in class action arising from the Westpoint collapse.