TMT: IT & Telecommunications
Asia-Pacific Guide 2024 : Australia
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+61 2 9230 4000About
Provided by Allens
Allens' TMT lawyers advise on all technology-related issues, including software and system developments and procurements, cloud arrangements, outsourcing and offshoring arrangements, e-commerce agreements, domain names, IT dispute resolution and IT aspects of corporate transactions.
We act in many of Australia’s largest and most significant information technology deals, as well as assist small internet start-ups with their quite different legal requirements. We have acted on both sides of outsourcing negotiations, for vendors and purchasers of technology businesses, for software and hardware suppliers and customers, and for companies drafting technology patents.
We have acted for participants in every sector of the telecommunications industry. We advise on the Australian regulatory framework, regional telecommunications legislation, third generation telephony, shared facilities access, litigation, privacy and competition laws.
We provide Media & Broadcasting law advice to television broadcasters, subscription television operators, radio networks, Internet web portals, Internet-based distributors of goods and services, film producers and financiers, newspapers, book publishers and advertising agencies (e.g. cross media reforms, sports law, commercialisation of digital content, access, intellectual property, advertising, content rights, content regulations etc.).
Chambers Review
Allens takes prominent roles on major TMT-related M&A transactions and advises government and corporate clients on large-scale technology outsourcing projects. It is a preferred practice for fintech and electronic payments mandates as well as data exchange and commercialisation and privacy matters. The law firm also advises Australia's major telecommunications companies on governance and regulatory issues. In the media space, Allens has a respected distribution and broadcasting advisory team which represents major players in the acquisition of sports broadcasting and other media rights and in corporate activity, including media joint ventures. Media clients also benefit from the firm's ability to offer a full suite of intellectual property advice. Key clients include NBCUniversal, Sony Music Entertainment and Foxtel.
Work Highlights
- Allens advised Foxtel on key aspects of its broadcasting rights agreement with the AFL for the 2025–2031 seasons.
- Allens acted for a consortium comprising Northleaf Capital Partners and InfraRed Capital Partners on their investment in Vodafone NZ’s passive mobile network infrastructure business.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The people at the firm who worked with us handled complexity and sophistication in the arrangements very well, with professionalism and high levels of commerciality."
"They have very deep experience in our sector, they know the market and have their finger on the market pulse."
"The team are all highly responsive and commercial in the length and detail included in their response, which is particularly valued by our business stakeholders."
"They are effectively devoted to providing excellent service."
"They are able to understand complexity in an emerging, digitally transforming industry within an intricate web of interested stakeholders."
"The people at the firm who worked with us handled complexity and sophistication in the arrangements very well, with professionalism and high levels of commerciality."
"They have very deep experience in our sector, they know the market and have their finger on the market pulse."
"The team are all highly responsive and commercial in the length and detail included in their response, which is particularly valued by our business stakeholders."
"They are effectively devoted to providing excellent service."
"They are able to understand complexity in an emerging, digitally transforming industry within an intricate web of interested stakeholders."
Notable Practitioners
Gavin Smith is based in Sydney and advises on both IT and telecommunications-related issues, being particularly well known for his expertise in the digital acceleration field where these often intersect.
"Gavin has excellent knowledge of TMT law and regulation and can handle large and complex transactions."
"Gavin is very level-headed and incredible at distilling the issues in their simplest form. We rely on his level of commerciality."
Valeska Bloch is particularly well known for her work on behalf of start-up tech companies and in connection with disruptive technologies, and also advises extensively on data governance and breach issues and cybersecurity questions.
"Valeska is incredibly responsive and always gives you a call. She is very good at reading the room and tailoring advice, and has a really good knowledge base and insight into key trends."
"She has a great incident response ability. Valeska is practical, down to earth and very approachable. She is a thought leader in the cybersecurity and privacy space."