David is co-head of the Eversheds Sutherland (US) Energy and Commodity Trading Team and deputy practice group leader for the broader Energy Team.
As a specialist in commodities, he combines two sophisticated practices in transactional and regulatory matters. He regularly advises clients on structured transactions, commodity trading, derivatives, commodities trade finance and commercial contracts. David also counsels project sponsors, lenders, equipment manufacturers, and service providers in negotiating and entering into commercial agreements for both retail and commercial projects. Based in Washington DC, his practice is at the forefront of developments at the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, derivatives exchanges, and other federal, state, and international regulators. He regularly assists both registered firms and end-users involved in regulatory investigations, enforcement actions, registrations, and general compliance matters.
David is admitted to the District of Columbia and the Virginia State Bar. His work in Texas is supervised by Texas State Bar members.
Latest Insights
- legal updatesISDA launches ISDA Notices Hub and Protocol
- legal updatesCFTC issues an enforcement advisory on self-reporting, cooperation, and remediation
- legal updates
Latest News
- represented project sponsor in 20 year contract with regional municipal agency for the sortation of municipal solid waste using AI systems and the installation and operation of biochar equipment. Advised client on project structuring, intra-company agreements, and offtake contracts for recovered recyclables and carbon credits.
- represented trading firm in intermediation facility for refinery operations.
- represented metals desk in connection with various inventory finance matters, including metal repurchase agreements and receivable purchase agreements.
- represented several trading firms in connection with lien secured hedging and supply contracts.
- represented international agriculture trader in connection with CFTC and exchange enforcement matters.
- represent several suppliers in connection with intermediation facilities for retail energy providers, and also have represented retail energy providers in similar transactions.
- represented hedge provider in dispute and litigation settlement in connection with termination of complex commodity derivatives.
- represent several trading firms in connection with multiple trades for compliance and voluntary carbon credits, including LCFS, EU-ETS, and CORSIA regimes. Assisted client in formation and operation of carbon funds.
- represent metal traders in connection with import/export considerations in transporting precious metals into and out of the United States.
- represented marketing firm in connection Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and workouts in connection with sleeve facilities for retail energy providers.
- represent several CFTC/NFA registered firms in connection with registration, compliance, training, and audit matters, including futures commission merchants, introducing brokers, and commodity trading.
- represent several commercial firms in connection with establishing global trading platforms, including credit and compliance matters.
- represent the Commercial Energy Working Group in connection with advocacy efforts and compliance guidance regarding derivatives regulation.
- End-User Hot Topics, Apr. 17, 2026, FIA L&C
- Capital Commodities Briefing, Oct. 7, 2025, FIA Commodities Conference
- Ag, Energy and Metals: What’s New in Regulation and Enforcement, Apr. 25, 2025, FIA L&C
- Outside Counsel Panel, Multiple Years, CMC SOTI
- Worst Day in the Career of a FCM In-house Attorney (Ethics Issues), Apr. 27, 2023, FIA L&C
- Propriety Trading Firm Issues, Apr. 28, 2022, FIA L&C
- CFTC and Position Limits: Market Volatility, Economic Uncertainty and the Push to a Final Rule, June 8, 2020
- Webcast: Blockchain and distributed ledger technology – cryptoassets and corporate uses, September 5, 2018, Association of Corporate Counsel’s (ACC) Energy Network
- Direct Investment in Commodity Deals – Structures and Legal Issues, July 25, 2018, The Regulatory Fundamentals Group
- Chapter 9: Mandatory Clearing (2024-2014 Editions),
- Chapter 12: Position Limits (2024-2020 Editions), OTC Derivatives Regulation Under Dodd-Frank: A Guide to Registration, Reporting, Business Conduct, and Clearing, Thomson Reuters
- recognized by Chambers Global: World’s Leading Lawyers in the area of derivatives (2026)
- recognized by Chambers USA: Guide to Leading Business Lawyers in the area of derivatives (2025)
- named to Best Lawyers in the area of energy law (2024-2026)
- recognized by The Legal 500 United States in the area of structured finance: derivatives and structured products (2021-2025)
- recognized as a Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyer (2022-2023), an independent, client-driven recognition
- recognized as BTI Client Service All-Stars (2022)
- recognized as a stand-out lawyer by Acritas Stars: Independently Rated Lawyers (2018-2019)
- Member, Derivatives and Futures Law, ABA Business Law Committee
- Member, Former Board of Directors, Commodity Markets Council
- Member, Futures Industry Association
- Member, Energy Bar Association
- District of Columbia
- Virginia
- B.A., Dartmouth College
- J.D., Washington and Lee University School of Law