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Overview

David is a recognized leader in the fields of domestic and international commercial arbitration, as well as construction, infrastructure and manufacturing litigation and arbitration. He draws on his business and executive experience in the construction industry before entering the field of law to provide practical, business-first advice. Clients benefit from his organizational efficiency and team management experience on large-scale projects around the world.

David represents major institutional clients in complex multi-party litigation and international commercial arbitration with respect to significant commercial disputes. He has appeared as litigation counsel before all levels of courts in Alberta, and has acted as arbitration counsel under the world's leading international arbitration rule systems, including ICC, LCIA, ICDR, ADRIC, VanIAC and UNCITRAL, as well as in numerous ad hoc arbitrations.

In addition to advocating for his clients before courts and arbitral tribunals, David provides strategic advice to clients on construction, fabrication and manufacturing projects where disputes are on the horizon. He also has extensive experience with construction lien disputes and Public Works Act claims.

David is an adjunct professor at the University of Calgary's Faculty of Law in the field of international commercial arbitration and investor-state arbitration and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He also publishes and speaks regularly on topics pertaining to domestic and international commercial arbitration.

Client Work

Dow Chemical Canada in its successful C$3.56-billion claim against NOVA Chemicals for breaches of contract

A Qatari subcontractor, in a multi-million dollar ICC arbitration seated in Doha against Lebanese and Qatari contractors in the construction of three LNG facilities in Qatar.
An Israeli technology company, in a multi-million-dollar ad hoc arbitration seated in Calgary against a Canadian manufacturing company in the fabrication of equipment for the oil sands in northern Alberta.
A Canadian utilities company, in a multi-million-dollar LCIA arbitration seated in Mexico City against a Mexican state-owned entity in the Engineering, Construction, Operation, and Maintenance, of a natural gas pipeline in Mexico.
A Canadian oil and gas exploration company, in a multi-million dollar UNCITRAL arbitration seated in Calgary against a Canadian oil and gas company in the identification of promising oil leases in Colombia.
A Canadian contractor, in a multi-million-dollar ICC arbitration seated in Mexico City against a Mexican subcontractor in the construction of a natural gas pipeline in Mexico.

Recognitions & Awards

Chambers Canada

Dispute Resolution: Arbitration

Education & Bar Admissions

Education

  • University of Calgary, BA (Political Science), 2010, first class honours
  • University of Ottawa, JD, 2013, cum laude

Bar Admissions

  • Alberta, 2014
  • British Columbia, 2021

News, Events & Speaking Engagements

PlaceholderAnnouncement

David Wahl Appointed to CIArb Canada Board of Directors

June 23, 2025
David J. Wahl, FCIArb
David J. Wahl, FCIArb
PlaceholderAnnouncement

Bennett Jones Top Ranked in Chambers Canada 2025

September 26, 2024
Aaron E. SonshineAbbas Ali KhanAdam Kalbfleisch
& 93 more
PlaceholderAnnouncement

Bennett Jones Top Ranked in Chambers Canada 2024

September 28, 2023
Aaron E. SonshineAbbas Ali KhanAdam Kalbfleisch
& 92 more