Technology, Media, Telecoms (TMT) | Asia-Pacific

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 lawyers' extensive contribution to discussion, through a variety of media and on a multidisciplinary and multi-jurisdictional basis, of key practice area issues.

Bird & Bird offers a team of highly regarded practitioners with expertise in transactions and disputes in the technology and telecommunications sectors from offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and Sydney. It is also bolstered by Japan and India desks. The practice's core areas of proficiency include big data, cyber and IT security, mobile payments, robotics and software patentability. The team also offers representation in disputes involving electronics, software and IP issues. It regularly advises on undersea cable projects between various jurisdictions as well as satellite projects for carriers across the Asia-Pacific region. Lawyers at Bird & Bird act for a range of companies from the software security, telematics, telecoms provider and social media sectors.

DLA Piper has extensive experience in the technology sphere, with IT outsourcing, cloud computing and data protection being key areas of expertise. The department is particularly strong in the banking and finance sector, and Australia, China and Thailand are key countries of operation. It is frequently sought out to advise on transactions relating to disruptive technology, and serves a strong client roster among the banking and governmental sectors. The team is increasingly active on innovative blockchain, e-commerce and fintech-related mandates and offers noted expertise in cybersecurity and data privacy concerns.

Hogan Lovells has a market-leading Hong Kong-based TMT group with a proven track record of advising multinationals on transactional, regulatory and contentious matters relating to IT outsourcing and e-commerce. The practice provides sophisticated advice on issues of data privacy and protection, regularly advising major Chinese corporates on cybersecurity. Lawyers at Hogan Lovells are recognised for telecoms know-how, assisting operators and service providers with wide-ranging commercial and compliance issues. The team is active in the licensing of intellectual property and other assets in the media and entertainment industries. It also offers a growing focus on fintech issues, including peer-to-peer lending, e-payments and open banking.

Morrison Foerster offers regulatory and transactional advice to TMT companies across Asia, with an especially strong reputation for work on technology and IT outsourcing. It is particularly impressive in Mainland China and Hong Kong, and also handles work in Tokyo and Singapore. The e-commerce sector constitutes a core area of expertise for the practice. Lawyers at the firm are known for assisting emerging fintech and insurtech entities in South-East Asia.

Herbert Smith Freehills fields a talented team of lawyers with core skills in wearable technology, cloud services and mobile banking. The practice is well placed to handle cross-border transactional TMT as well as complex and innovative technology projects from key offices in Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo. Lawyers act for leading names in the telecoms, IT and financial services sectors, as well as investors into these spaces. The team is mandated on IT procurement and outsourcing work, and demonstrates notable capability on e-commerce and fintech mandates.

Mayer Brown offers a Hong Kong-based TMT group that wins impressive instructions from technology and telecommunications companies and is supported by an equally impressive IP practice. The practice deals with work ranging from complex outsourcing projects to IT agreements and licensing issues. Its lawyers are highly sought after for advice on cybersecurity and data protection as well as fintech, e-commerce and AI-related mandates. The team also acts for media and broadcasting entities on regulatory matters.

Norton Rose Fulbright is a respected name in technology and telecoms matters, including regulatory issues relating to data privacy, cloud services, mobile payments, big data, cybersecurity and telecoms financing. China, Australia and Singapore are important hubs for the firm's Asia offering in this space. The department is also notable for assisting clients with the purchase of infrastructure assets and network upgrades. The team maintains impressive clientele within the banking and finance industry, and receives regular mandates on fintech and cryptocurrencies. It is increasingly active advising clients on the development of artificial intelligence-related projects, including their particularly complex legal and regulatory implications.

A&O Shearman is highly reputed for its skilled handling of IT and telecoms mandates, including cybersecurity, e-commerce and M&A in the TMT arena, and increasingly active on behalf of regional private equity players investing in the South-East Asian market. The department is well versed in TMT-related financings as well as disputes in this space, with China and Thailand being key jurisdictions along with Australia and Indonesia. The cross-border work handled by the practice extends to New Zealand, South Korea and the Philippines.

Clifford Chance has an experienced Singapore team, with further resources available from the firm's office in Hong Kong. The team is part of a global TMT practice, representing a broad-based clientele extending from recent startups to long-established multinationals, financial institutions and investors. It offers a full suite of practice area services, including assistance with technology sector M&A, regulatory investigations and compliance, and contentious matters. Notably active in such spheres as digital payments, blockchain and cryptocurrency, cybersecurity, outsourcing arrangements and smart contracting, the firm is also well versed in handling data protection issues.

Linklaters has a respected Singapore-based team covering the full practice area spectrum, with a close focus on emerging technologies in the healthcare, financial services and transportation sectors. The office works closely with the firm's notable Thailand-based group to advise on digital transformation and data protection-related mandates, and is able to draw upon the firm's financing and corporate expertise to act on blockchain and ICO issues. Its impressive clientele ranges from leading global corporations to technology startups. Lawyers at the firm also advise on high-profile M&A transactions.

Latham & Watkins leverages elite global capabilities to provide an array of cross-border services. The Hong Kong-based team offers impressive local knowledge of compliance in relation to data and technology licensing and outsourcing. It works closely with the firm's Singapore-based group to offer high-end transactional capacity across multiple sectors, including e-commerce, telecommunications, media and fintech.