Freeths secures major tax hire with appointment of David Smith

Leading law firm Freeths has appointed renowned tax specialist David Smith as Partner and Joint Head of Tax, further strengthening its national tax practice as client demand continues to grow across private equity, international investment and complex corporate transactions.

David joins Freeths from DLA Piper and brings more than 20 years' experience advising multinational businesses, private equity investors and management teams on high-value domestic and cross-border tax matters.

Working alongside existing Partner and Joint Head of Tax Adrian Hackett, David will help lead the firm's national tax team, supporting clients on a broad range of transactional and advisory matters. His appointment significantly enhances Freeths' capabilities in key growth areas including private equity, international tax structuring, global mobility and energy sector mergers and acquisitions.

Over the course of his career, David has advised on the tax aspects of acquisitions, disposals, restructurings and international expansion projects across multiple jurisdictions. He is particularly recognised for his expertise in private equity transactions, multinational group structuring, employment taxes and helping businesses navigate increasingly complex international tax landscapes.

The appointment reflects Freeths' continued investment in its tax offering and wider corporate services platform, reinforcing the firm's ability to support clients on complex, multi-jurisdictional matters.

Commenting on the appointment, Adrian Hackett, said: "David is one of the most experienced and well-regarded tax lawyers in the market, and his arrival is a significant moment for our team. His expertise spans many of the areas where we are seeing the strongest client demand, from private equity and international transactions through to employment taxes and global mobility.

“Beyond his technical excellence, David brings a highly commercial and pragmatic approach that aligns perfectly with how we support our clients. His appointment reflects both the strength of our ambition and our continued investment in building one of the UK's leading tax practices."

David Smith added: "Freeths is a firm with genuine momentum, an impressive client base and a clear vision for growth. What attracted me was the opportunity to help shape the future of the tax practice while working alongside talented colleagues across the firm's sector and service teams.

“The firm has established a strong reputation for delivering commercially focused advice on complex matters, and there is a real opportunity to further develop the offering in areas such as private equity, international tax, global mobility and cross-border investment. I'm excited to be joining at such an important stage in the firm's growth journey."