Fitch front

Qualifications

LLB (Canterbury)

BA (History/Sociology) (Canterbury)

David understands the importance of providing friendly, pragmatic and strategic legal advice which adds real value and clarity to his clients and their businesses. 

David wears two hats in our organisation:

  • He’s a property lawyer with over 15 years’ experience helping a broad range of commercial, residential, rural and industrial clients achieve their goals throughout New Zealand.
  • He’s also our Culture and Experience Principal. David is responsible for ensuring that every client who works with Cavell has the best client-service experience possible, and furthermore is tasked with fostering Cavell’s people, culture and brand on to ever new heights.

On the property side of things David has worked with Cavell’s clients on a broad range of matters including the buying and selling, development, subdivision and financing of a wide range of commercial, industrial, body corporate, rural and residential properties throughout New Zealand.

David is particularly experienced in the area of commercial leasing where he has built a reputation as one of New Zealand’s leading practitioners. 

"I realise that it can be an intimidating and stressful prospect engaging a lawyer. I can use my expertise to help you successfully navigate your way through any property-related issues so you can achieve your goals with ease.

I enjoy providing my clients with friendly, timely and clear advice about their property law queries, and I’m happy to work in with my clients however best suits their needs. It is important to me that you feel comfortable about when and how your problem will be solved, and how much it will cost."


David is also responsible for ensuring that the smart, passionate and hardworking people that make up Cavell Leitch have the tools, training and support they deserve so they can continue to work well, succeed and delight our clients.

MG 3567 RGB

“Our business and family trust have engaged David Fitchett as our lawyer over many years. Throughout that time we have found him to be a thoroughly professional lawyer with a wealth of knowledge. His excellent communication skills and affable personality means engaging with him on either commercial, professional, or personal matters is stress-free and reassuring. He is committed and generous with his time, and always seeks to ensure that we as clients have a thorough understanding of what he is undertaking. David’s expertise, and that of the Cavell Leitch team, has been and continues to be greatly appreciated.”

Sarah Robins - director and owner of The Harakeke Centre

Recent work

  • Assisted a client with the purchase, development and construction, and subsequent leasing of a 20 store shopping centre to a diverse range of tenants.
  • Assisted a long-standing client with the purchase, subdivision, and then sales of individual lots in a 250 lot subdivision.
  • Worked with a client to purchase an existing apartment block, redevelop the site, and then sell the 52 refurbished apartments to new owners.
  • Assisted clients with the successful and stress-free settlement of the sale and purchase of their homes, including walking first home buyers through the process.
Our Expertise Quote 1

"I feel very fortunate to have David Fitchett supporting us. He is always very quick to respond and I value his contribution significantly."

Our experts

See all people

Related articles

Commercial property

I’ve signed an agreement to lease, do I need to sign a deed of lease as well?

Read more
Devil in detail

Guarantees – the devil is in the detail.

Read more