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Baker McKenzie
Department profile | Baker McKenzie
TMT

About

Provided by Baker McKenzie

Global reach with local expertise. The Asia Pacific team consists of more than 120 lawyers who are all part of a global team of 330 lawyers with deep experience in local regulatory processes and laws affecting IT/C businesses. We stay ahead in established markets, with the establishment of our Joint Operation with FenXun Partners in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone (SFTZ) – the very first license to provide our clients with integrated international and PRC law advice. We also gain ground in emerging markets, with our continued client outreach program across our Southeast Asian offices in anticipation of an integrated trade and investment market brought about by the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).

At the forefront of the rapid developments in the FinTech sector. With the establishment of our FinTech Focus Group, we are ideally placed to guide financial institutions and technology companies through the legal and commercial issues and opportunities brought about by the rapidly evolving FinTech sector. We take a multi-disciplinary and cross-jurisdictional approach by mobilizing specialists across our global network with deep expertise in areas such as IT/C, compliance, data protection, employment, financial regulatory, venture capital, cybersecurity, trade and tax. We are also actively engaged in the FinTech conversations in the region, contributed to government working groups, and signed up as one of the supporting organisations to the SuperCharger FinTech Accelerator in Hong Kong.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

TMT - Asia-Pacific Region

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Baker McKenzie houses a leading practice that is highly rated for its local and international expertise and its broad coverage across the Asia-Pacific region. It offers a particularly strong presence in China and Australia, and has also developed impressive offerings across Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan and Vietnam. The team boasts expertise in both transactional and regulatory TMT, including software licensing, data protection, outsourcing and IT disputes, along with acquisitions and joint ventures for technology companies. It retains an impressive client following among multinational telecoms, e-commerce, banking and media companies. The practice is actively engaged in fintech matters and also acts as a contributor to multiple government working groups in the area. The department boasts cross-jurisdictional expertise in cybersecurity and financial regulatory law. It is further noted for its extensive publicity, through a variety of media and on a multidisciplinary and multi-jurisdictional basis, of key practice area issues.

Notable practitioners

Sydney-based Adrian Lawrence is a key contact in Australia. Ken Chia offers IP and TMT expertise from the firm's Singapore office. Hong Kong-based Lex Kuo is a key contact for ITC work relating to China. Seck Yee Chung and Manh Hung Tran head the firm's Vietnam TMT department. Dhiraphol Suwanprateep and Henry Chang are, respectively, key contacts in the firm's Thailand and Taiwan practices.

Work Highlights

Provided by Baker McKenzie

  • Baker McKenzie acted for Fox Sports Australia in a highly publicised matter in the District Court involving a defamation claim by Josh Massoud, a high-profile former Channel 7 NRL reporter, against five media companies.

  • Baker McKenzie advised the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking on the setting up of a National Digital Trade Platform in Thailand.

  • Baker McKenzie advised Porsche on customer-facing documents and regulatory issues related to the launch of the new version of the Porsche Connect mobile app in Mainland China and Hong Kong SAR.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

"The team at Baker McKenzie are very responsive and give pragmatic advice based on past experience instead of just going by the book."

TMT respondent
Global

"Baker McKenzie invest heavily in understanding clients, the commercial contract and the relationship more broadly. They provide very thoughtful advice."

TMT respondent
Global

"From my experience with the team, they seemed to have a good grasp of the relevant issues and the potential pitfalls of IT or data transfer arrangements."

TMT respondent
Global

"We benefit greatly from the deep knowledge of the lawyers at Baker McKenzie and praise their distinguished ability to solve challenging legal problems."

TMT respondent
Global