David Engel

Spear’s Review

‘When the phone rings, you literally do not know what the issue is going to be. That keeps it interesting,’ says David Engel, a partner at Addleshaw Goddard since 2001.

He explains that his clients face reputational and privacy risks from a range of sources in addition to the mainstream media, citing ‘social media, pressure groups, former business partners and cancel culture generally’. 

‘These days, the lines between business and personal life are increasingly blurred,’ Engel tells Spear’s. ‘A disaffected customer, employee or commercial counterparty can quickly present a reputational threat to the individual founder or family behind the business.

‘Ultimately it’s about applying not just the law but real-life experience to a situation which may be a one-off for our client, but [is] one we will likely have seen dozens of times.’

Adviser Profile

David Engel and his team use the laws of defamation, privacy, confidentiality and data protection to protect and defend the reputation and privacy of their valued clients. David has specialised in reputation, privacy and information law for more than 25 years, and has led Addleshaw Goddard’s Reputation & Information Protection team since 2008, advising individuals in public life, business, the arts and sport.

Backed by the bench strength of a large and respected litigation department, in a full-service commercial firm with many complementary specialisms, and with its international offices in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, the team is able to handle large, complex and cross-border issues in a way that is not always possible for the smaller media law boutiques.

David’s work includes crisis management, advisory and litigation. He likes to work closely with existing trusted advisers, including other lawyers, comms advisers and the relevant IT and cyber specialists, to manage the crisis and ensure the optimal outcome for his clients.

David has been involved in landmark cases such as England’s first internet libel case (Western Provident Association v Norwich Union) and the UK’s biggest defamation claim for $850 million (Dar Al Arkan & Anor v Al Refai & Ors). He successfully represented almost 100 victims of phone hacking in privacy claims against News International and Mirror Group. He also has represented certain third-party witnesses in the Duchess of Sussex’s privacy and copyright claim against the Mail on Sunday.

David sits on Nominet’s panel of Independent Experts, where he adjudicates domain name disputes (90+ to date).