David
Partner

David M Smith

David M. Smith joined Rodney Hull, Q.C. and Ian M. Hull in their estate litigation counsel practice in September 1997.

In August 1998, Rodney and Ian, together with David as associate, founded Hull & Hull LLP. In January 2006, David became a partner. David also maintains a mediation practice through Hull Estate Mediation Inc.

David was an instructor at the Ontario Bar Admission Course (Estates and Trusts) from 1998 to 2005. He is a frequent guest lecturer for both Law Society of Upper Canada and Ontario Bar Association programs. David has had numerous decisions reported in Estate and Trusts Reports and has authored numerous papers.

David has an LL.B from Queen’s University and an Honours B.A. from the University of Western Ontario. He was called to the bar in 1994. He completed the Intensive Trial Advocacy Workshop at Osgoode Hall Law School in 1998.

David is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, the Ontario Bar Association Trusts and Estates Section and the Toronto Lawyers Association. He was chosen by LawDay as one of the top 60 estate and trust lawyers in Canada for the year 2009. He is also included in The Best Lawyers in Canada (2009) in the area of Trusts and Estates.

Career & Education

    Education
  • Intensive Trial Advocacy Workshop

    Osgoode Hall Law School, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • LL.B.

    Queen’s University, Faculty of Law, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
  • B.A. (Hons.)

    University of Western Ontario
    Membership & Affliations
  • Member, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners

  • Member, Ontario Bar Association, Trusts and Estates Section

  • Member, Toronto Lawyers Association

    Achievements
  • The Top 60 Leading Lawyers in Canada, Estates and Trusts, LawDay, 2009

  • The Best Lawyers in Canada, Trusts and Estates, 2009

  • LEXPERT ranked lawyer 2013–2014

  • Best Lawyers International

Publication & Teachings

    Publications
  • “Estate Litigation: Pleading, Preparing and Proving Your Clients’ Case” 2003

  • “Beneficiary Planning 2002 – Gifts from beyond the Grave” RRSP & RRIF Designations, 2002

  • “Revocation of Beneficiary Designations – Tips and Traps” Will Power, CCH, September 2002

  • “Issues in Executor’s Compensation” Will Power, CCH, May 1998

    Classes & Seminars
  • Instructor, Ontario Bar Admission Course (Estates and Trusts), 1998–2005

  • Frequent Guest Lecturer, Law Society of Upper Canada

  • Frequent Guest Lecturer, Ontario Bar Association Programs

Recent Posts
January 15, 2026 Year-End Cash Transfers and the Presumption of Resulting Trust

Many families may have marked the recent holiday period by providing cash transfers to adult children. These payments often occur ...

January 08, 2026 Estate Planning for Multi-Generational Families: Challenges and Opportunities

Estate planning for multi-generational households is increasingly relevant in today’s legal landscape. With blended families, common-law relationships, and evolving definitions ...

December 12, 2025 The Real-Life Fallout of Estate Disputes

Inheritance disputes regularly make headlines, because they showcase the emotional and financial turmoil that can erupt when a Will fails ...