David Baird

David Baird is a seasoned legal professional with over four decades of experience in the field, focusing particularly on local government and planning law in New South Wales, Australia. In his practice, David has been recognised as one of Sydney's leading town planning lawyers, having personally appeared in over 300 significant cases influencing Sydney Metropolitan and many regional Councils. His dedication to providing strategic and tactical insights, coupled with a commitment to client service and competitive pricing, has set him apart in the legal community. David founded Baird Lawyers in 2015 after retiring as a partner from HWL Ebsworth, driven by his philosophy that legal services should be intimate, personalised, and cost-effective. He successfully led the firm until his retirement in 2021, having served both local government and private sector clients with distinction. During his career, David also acted for Local Government NSW, contributing to his reputation as a respected figure in town planning law. Currently, David offers his expertise for special projects through SWS Lawyers and has embarked on a new career path in writing and film production as the Independent Producer at Burnt Enterprises in Sydney. In addition to his accomplishments in the legal arena, David holds positions in various organisations in Pikeville, Kentucky. He serves as a board member for the Community Trust Bank, Pikeville Medical Center, and The Elliott Company. His leadership extended to the business community as Chairman of the Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce from 2018 to 2019. David's academic credentials include a Doctor of Law degree from Northern Kentucky University—Salmon P. Chase College of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Miami University. His diverse background and extensive experience have made him a respected voice in both the legal and business sectors.