/Home/Asia-Pacific/TMT: IT & Telecommunications in Australia/Clayton Utz
View profile of Clayton Utz
Department profile
Clayton Utz
Department profile | Clayton Utz
TMT: IT & Telecommunications

About

Provided by Clayton Utz

The IT & Telecommunications practice is best known for undertaking the hardest, most complex, strategic and high-profile technology contracting matters in the Australian market, often with a delicate regulatory overlay. The projects they advise on shape the market for the clients, the industry and often establish the parameters within which other law firms are then required to advise. With respect to depth and quality of team, with 18 specialist IT+T partners they base this comparison on deal quality, deal size, strategic complexity and market significance. The calibre of our client roster includes Australia's largest banks; Australia's largest investment bank; Australia's central bank; Federal and State Government departments and agencies with the largest and most complex IT systems; A


The Clayton Utz Media team continue to be instructed by high-profile names on some of the most cutting-edge matters in the market. They act for a range of major players such as Reuters, Agence France-Presse, The Associated Press, Seven Network, Free TV Australia, NOVA Entertainment, Isentia and SANZAAR. The breadth and quality of the client base in the media sector is the match of any other law firm in Australia.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

TMT: IT & Telecommunications - Australia

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Clayton Utz is noted in the IT and telecommunications space for its deep industry knowledge and frequent engagement by significant blue-chip clients on business process outsourcing, data and security matters. The law firm handles transactional matters for critical IT services in the financial and government sectors, including infrastructure procurements and migrations to new technologies, and maintains an impressive client base in the telecoms sphere, advising on everything from joint venture arrangements to access and interconnection agreements between carriers and service providers. Clayton Utz also fields prominent media ownership and broadcasting rights expertise, particularly well honed in the sporting field, and a well-regarded transactional practice, advising on strategic acquisitions and tie-ups. It additionally provides full support on regulatory issues and is well placed to access complementary expertise in IP and competition matters.

Work Highlights

Provided by Clayton Utz

  • Clayton Utz acted for Free TV in Copyright Tribunal proceedings concerning the licence terms for a commercial television broadcast industry agreement with copyright collecting society Phonographic Performance Company of Australia.

  • Clayton Utz assisted Amplitel with the preparation of key strategic submissions and the provision of information to regulators and the government relating to mobile infrastructure access and competition issues including challenges in regional Australia. 

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

The advice received from Clayton Utz is always timely, accurate and in the best interest of our business.

TMT: IT & Telecommunications respondent
Asia-Pacific

They have excellent communication skills and provide practical, hands-on advice. They are also willing to think outside the box and to be challenged on their thinking.

TMT: IT & Telecommunications respondent
Asia-Pacific

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

1
Ken Saurajen
1
Band 1
Ken Saurajen is based in Sydney and acts for both public and private sector bodies on strategic technology and procurement projects, notably including those exploiting emerging technologies. Also a frequent adviser on software development, licensing and support issues, he is engaged by clients from a wide range of industries, but is particularly well known for his work in the financial services sector.

No one comes close to the expertise of Ken Saurajen in the TMT and technology sector.

He's always there, almost like an extra team member. Ken's also humble and I found his advice to be pragmatic and commercial.

View Profile
3
Simon Newcomb
3
Band 3

Simon Newcomb specialises in the handling of technology transactions, being particularly well known for his work on behalf of public sector clients at local, state and Commonwealth government levels. An experienced Brisbane-based manager of complex procurement and outsourcing mandates, he is also well versed in cybersecurity issues.

Simon is an incredibly able lawyer with a great depth of experience. He's very expert, very detailed, very pragmatic and has acted for both sides - for purchasers of TMT and vendors.

View Profile
4
Bruce Lloyd
4
Band 4
Bruce Lloyd is both an experienced competition lawyer and head of the TMT group at Clayton Utz. He is respected for his advice to major telecommunications clients.
View Profile
4
John Dieckmann
4
Band 4

John Dieckmann is based in Melbourne and has extensive expertise in information technology. He is well equipped to advise on IT procurement, cybersecurity and privacy issues.

I rate John Dieckmann highly, he's very good.

John is a recognised expert who's highly accessible and approachable. I have great confidence in his advice and deft negotiation skills. He's a very safe pair of hands.

View Profile
Timothy Webb
4
Timothy Webb
4
Band 4

Timothy Webb combines a strong IP focus with experience in handling disputes to service clients in contentious and non-contentious mandates. Issues related to copyright, patents and trade marks fall under the umbrella of his expertise, and he has represented clients before the Federal and Supreme Courts.

Above all, I trust Timothy Webb with giving me the right legal advice for the commercial context in which I require it. He is also always accessible.

View Profile

Ranked Lawyers at
Clayton Utz

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Australia

TMT: Information Technology
1
Ken Saurajen
1
Band 1
View Profile
3
Simon Newcomb
3
Band 3
View Profile
4
John Dieckmann
4
Band 4
View Profile
TMT: Media
Timothy Webb
4
Timothy Webb
4
Band 4
View Profile
TMT: Telecommunications
4
Bruce Lloyd
4
Band 4
View Profile

Members

Provided by Clayton Utz

Akmal Chunara

Angie Freeman

Bruce Lloyd

Bruce Lloyd

Head of Department

Cameron Gascoyne

Claire Bothwell

David Benson

Geoff Hoffman

Ian Bloemendal

Joel Parsons

Joel von Thien

John Dieckmann

Lyndal Sivell

Monique Azzopardi

Robert Dearn

Sam Fiddian

Walid Sukari