Alderman Sir David Wootton was a lawyer, a partner in Allen & Overy LLP, the international law firm, from 1979 to 2015, advising on corporate matters and corporate finance transactions. He is Past Master of the City of London Solicitors Company. He is on the Board of TheCityUK, Vice Chairman of its International Trade and Investment Group, a member of its legal services group, a member of the International Law Committee, and director of The International Dispute Resolution Centre. He was Co-Chairman of the Board organising the Global Law Summit in London in February 2015. He has been President of the City of London Law Society and is President of the City of London Branch of the Institute of Directors and an Honorary Bencher of Grays Inn.

Sir David was the 684th Lord Mayor of the City of London, 2011-2012. He has been an Alderman of the City of London representing the Ward of Langbourn since 2005 and served as Sheriff of the City in 2009-2010.