Bird & Bird > Sydney, Australia > Firm Profile
Bird & Bird Offices
Level 22
25 Martin Place
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia
Bird & Bird > The Legal 500 Rankings
Australia > Data protection Tier 2
The privacy and data protection team at Bird & Bird is ‘unique because it has excellent global reach and expertise’: working as part of an integrated global practice, it tracks international precedents to best support clients within Australia’s changing regulatory environment. The ‘very knowledgeable’ Sophie Dawson co-leads the team from Sydney, advising major companies on privacy law reform and providing strategic privacy advice. Also in Sydney, Hamish Fraser co-leads the team with notable experience in providing data breach advice to global platforms and cloud providers. Privacy compliance is an area of strength for Sydney partner Julie Cheeseman, who works with clients from a range of industries encompassing the media, technology, retail and consumer sectors, among others.Practice head(s):
Sophie Dawson; Hamish Fraser
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Sophie Dawson is excellent – completely across a rapidly changing area of law and practice.’
‘Bird & Bird’s practice is unique because it has excellent global reach and expertise, especially in the technology, media and telecommunications space. Their data protection and cyber security practice, in particular, bats very deep.’
‘They have multiple very senior, capable and experienced partners who include privacy and cyber within their expertise, as well as a team of well respected senior and junior lawyers who are all very capable in this space.’
‘Sophie Dawson is very knowledgeable and provides practical advice and insights.’
‘All round in-depth knowledge of data privacy, data protection and cybersecurity laws.’
Key clients
National Roads and Motorists Association
Tencent
TPG Telecom
Work highlights
- Advising several clients with instructions in relation to highly sensitive and time critical matters arising out of three of Australia’s recent large-scale data breaches: Medicare, Optus and Latitude.
- Advising several clients with important privacy compliance work. This work has included advice on the application of Australian privacy and other relevant laws to complex novel technologies.
Australia > IT and telecoms Tier 2
Bird & Bird is a key player in the TMT space and is sought out for its advice, which not only covers data protection and privacy, but also extends to the law covering space, satellites and autonomous vehicles. The team is co-headed by Hamish Fraser, who is active in commercial and regulatory matters in tech, and Thomas Jones, who is well equipped to handle licensing, procurement, distribution and IP issues. Shane Barber is another key partner, specialising in media and communications. All named practitioners are based in Sydney.Practice head(s):
Hamish Fraser; Thomas Jones
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
TPG Telecom
BAI Communications Pty Ltd
Take-Two Interactive Software Inc
Rockstar Games, Inc
Aircall SAS
Pivotel Group
Cordell Jigsaw Productions
Guesty, Inc.
Speedcast Holdings LLC
Work highlights
- Acting for Vodafone Hutchison Australia and the joint venture between Vodafone and Optus Mobile, both of which undertake the significant rollout of 4G and 5G networks across Australia.
- Advising a client on the structuring of arrangements with other tenderers in connection with the provision of neutral host networks for the NSW Regional Connectivity Programme.
- Assisting with the achievement of copyright infringement for Take-Two Interactive Software and RockStar Games in proceedings concerning unauthorised mods written for the Grand Theft Auto V game.
Australia > Media and entertainment Tier 2
With its expert knowledge of the industry, coupled with a capacity for ‘lateral and strategic thought’, the team at Bird & Bird attracts a broad spectrum of global and domestic clients. While it is well-equipped to deal with traditional media matters, the group particularly leverages its strong presence in the computer games industry and knowledge of sports media rights sales and acquisitions, the latter of which has been further cemented following the recent addition of sports law expert Brianna Quinn. The team is co-headed by Sophie Dawson, who has extensive experience in privacy, copyright and defamation law; and media lawyer Shane Barber, who is highly sought after by gaming businesses seeking regulatory aid.Practice head(s):
Sophie Dawson; Shane Barber
Other key lawyers:
Rich Hawkins; Brianna Quinn; Hamish Fraser
Testimonials
‘Great team builders.’
‘Lateral and strategic thought.’
‘Rich Hawkins is sensible, doesn’t over or under service, and is attentive to client needs. His former experience as a general counsel has clearly given him an excellent idea of what in-house counsel want and need.’
‘Understood who we were, provided a practical response to resolve commercially.’
Key clients
Nine Network Australia Pty Ltd, TCN Channel Nine Pty Ltd
Take-Two Interactive Software Inc, RockStar Games, Inc
Epic Games, Inc
CJZ Pty Ltd
Australian Police Journal
Clarity Global
Counter Ruck Fiji Pte Ltd (trading as the Fijian Drua)
Pilgrim Media Group
IMG Arena
Riot Games
Work highlights
- Advised global communications and digital marketing agency, Clarity Global, on its acquisition of Australian public relations and strategic communications group, Sefiani Communications.
- Acting for Nine, and one of its journalists, in the defence of defamation proceedings concerning two broadcasts on A Current Affair, its flagship prime time current affairs programme.
- Advised a high-profile and multinational media company, in relation to its compliance with applicable privacy and data protection regulations in various jurisdictions including Australia.
Australia > Intellectual property Tier 3
Leveraging support from its international network, Bird & Bird is often engaged in intellectual property litigation and is notably active across the life sciences, media, and retail sectors. Jane Owen oversees the department, and her broad practice encompasses portfolio design infringements, patent and trade mark oppositions as well as portfolio management. Lynne Lewis is active in the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors and is well regarded for her expertise in multi-jurisdictional intellectual property litigation. All of the individuals mentioned are located in Sydney.Practice head(s):
Jane Owen
Other key lawyers:
Lynne Lewis; Rebecca Currey; Shariqa Mestroni; Tom Johnston; Shehana Wijesena
Testimonials
‘The team is very business focused and operate as an extension of your own team. Their advice is very tailored and aligned with business risk appetite.’
‘Lynne Lewis is very commercially minded.’
‘The people I work with, namely Lynne Lewis, make a real effort to know and understand my business. I can also ask Lynne Lewis a question that may touch upon jurisdictions outside of hers in Asia Pacific, and she can still pull together advice that is useful and practical across jurisdictions.’
‘The people make Bird & Bird exceptional. They are highly skilled and knowledgeable, and provide practical advice as if they had a real stake in the outcome.’
Key clients
Boart Longyear Limited
Take-Two Interactive Software Inc; RockStar Games, Inc
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Australia Pty Ltd (now Haleon)
Troy Laboratories Pty Ltd
Howden Australia Pty Ltd and James Howden (Howden)
Uniden Australia Limited
Rakman Pty Ltd & Trafalgar Pty Ltd
Abbey Laboratories Pty Ltd
University of New South Wales
Mattel (and its related entities)
Wisetech Global Limited
Internet Services Australia 1 Pty Ltd trading as THE ICONIC (part of Global Fashion Group)
Epic Games, Inc
Elixinol Global Limited
The Wonderful Company
Airtasker Pty Ltd
First Pharma Pty Ltd
Noumi Limited (previously Freedom Foods Group)
Target Brands Inc
KPMG Australia IP Holdings Pty Ltd
HelloFresh SE
Strongcast Pty Ltd
Consorzio Per La Tutela Del Formaggio Asiago
Universal Store Pty Ltd
TPG Telecom
The Dolphins
Chatime Australia
Work highlights
- Successfully acted for Globaltech in Federal Court proceedings asserting patent infringement against Reflex in respect of its downhole magnetic and gyro devices.
- Obtained orders and relief for copyright infringement in proceedings concerning unauthorised mods written for the Grand Theft Auto V game.
- Acted as a long-term legal adviser to GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare and now, Haleon.
Australia > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 4
The dispute resolution team at Bird & Bird has ‘deep domain knowledge in all aspects of litigation, regulatory matters, IP and privacy’, and particular sector strength in the IT, media and sports industries, regularly representing clients in cases which involve defamation issues. Sophie Dawson and Jonathon Ellis co-lead the team from Sydney; Dawson specialises in technology and media matters, while Ellis enjoys a strong reputation in commercial litigation. Also in Sydney, Julie Cheeseman bolsters the team’s growing cybersecurity expertise.Practice head(s):
Sophie Dawson; Jonathon Ellis
Other key lawyers:
Jane Owen; Lynne Lewis; Mark Buchanan; Julie Cheeseman; Jonathan Tay
Testimonials
‘Bird & Bird offer a very responsive litigation and advisory service – providing pragmatic and commercially realistic advice. They have deep domain knowledge in all aspects of litigation, regulatory matters, IP and privacy.’
‘Jonathon Ellis is a stand-out partner; an expert in his field, but very approachable and commercial. Jonathan Tay, Senior Associate, is incredibly hard-working and very good at client relationship management.’
‘The team are incredibly proactive which provides a sense of feeling prepared about what is to follow.’
‘Great to work with, very client-focused. Nothing is too much trouble.’
‘Jonathon Ellis is brilliant at bringing together great teams and keeping everything on track, while always focused on achieving the client’s goals and protecting their interests. Jonathan Tay is a delight to work with – always competent, very professional and courteous. He will go far.’
Key clients
Take-Two Interactive Inc, Rock Star Games, Inc
Epic Games Inc
CJZ Pty Ltd (formerly Cordell Jigsaw Productions)
Nine Network Australia
Elixinol Wellness Limited
Globaltech Corporation Pty Ltd
Troy Laboratories
Revitalife
Work highlights
- Acted for Take-Two Interactive Software Inc; RockStar Games, Inc to protect Grand Theft Auto V – successfully obtained orders and relief for copyright infringement in proceedings concerning unauthorised mods written for the Grand Theft Auto V game.
- Acted for Epic Games Inc in relation to the unauthorised online sale of items relating to its popular Fortnite game.
- Acting for CJZ (formerly Cordell Jigsaw Productions) in Supreme Court of New South Wales, Court of Appeal proceedings concerning a dispute relating to the consumer affairs television series, The Checkout.
Australia > Labour and employment Tier 5
Bird & Bird’s labour and employment team, located in Sydney, assists domestic and multinational clients with a range of contentious and non-contentious matters. Its workload includes cases of workplace misconduct and spans from initial investigations through to employment litigation at the appellate level. Practice head Kristy Peacock-Smith specialises in matters relating to unfair dismissal, discrimination and breaches of contract, and is also called upon to deliver training programmes to businesses.Practice head(s):
Kristy Peacock-Smith
Testimonials
‘Very responsive, available, prompt and practical. ’
‘Kristy Peacock-Smith is a fantastic lawyer, and I highly value our partnership. We have worked together for many years, and she is always available, takes a common sense approach, is direct and is transparent with respect to fees. ’
‘Kristy and the team have been very supportive over the last few years, guiding us through labour law issues with confidence. Kristy is also great with internal clients because she is engaging and pragmatic in her approach.’
‘Kristy has a level of experience which means that she gets to the heart of the issue quickly and assuredly. ’
Key clients
Quantcast Technologies Australia
Menlo Security Australia
BBC Studios
Medacta Australia
Guesty
Oyster HR
Remote Technology Inc.
CBRE
Work highlights
- Defending proceedings brought in the Federal Circuit Court against Quantcast Australia by a former employee.
- Advising TomTom on a global restructure programme.
- Advising a client on an internal investigation after serious allegations of sexual harassment were made.
Australia > Competition and trade
Bird & Bird > Firm Profile
The firm:Â With over 1,400 lawyers in 32 offices worldwide, Bird & Bird excels in managing complex projects for clients across the globe with a seamless one-firm approach.
The firm’s Australian office operates a collaborative integrated practice with the firm’s other offices and co-operation firms across the Asia-Pacific region. With offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and Sydney, the firm is well placed to advise Australian and New Zealand corporations on inbound and outbound investment opportunities with leading trading partners.
The firm’s Australian practice not only serves its clients across Australia and New Zealand, but also forms an integral part of its global offering and strengthens the firm’s practice in the Asia Pacific region.
Areas of practice: With a team of 40 legal specialists the firm’s local knowledge is key to its success – especially when the firm’s work involves multiple jurisdictions. The firm’s lawyers in Australia are widely recognised by clients and peers as being among the leading practitioners in their areas of expertise, which include: communications, competition, corporate and commercial, mergers and acquisitions, dispute resolution, information technology, e-commerce and media, infrastructure and real estate, intellectual property and international HR services.
The firm’s Sydney office undertakes cross-border and multi-jurisdictional work for some of the highest profile global and national corporations operating in the automotive, communications, electronics, energy and utilities, food and beverage, information technology, life science and healthcare, media, entertainment, sport and financial services industries.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Communications | |||
Competition | |||
Corporate and commercial | |||
Data protection and privacy | |||
Dispute resolution | |||
Information technology and e-commerce | |||
Infrastructure and real estate | |||
Intellectual property | |||
International HR services | |||
Media | |||
Life science and healthcare |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Shane Barber | Partner | View Profile | |
Julie Cheeseman | Partner | View Profile | |
Jonathon Ellis | Partner | View Profile | |
Hamish Fraser | Partner | View Profile | |
Thomas Jones | Partner | View Profile | |
Jane Owen | Partner | View Profile | |
Ms Kristy Peacock-Smith | Partner | View Profile | |
Brianna Quinn | Partner | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of lawyers : 1,200 at this office : 40Languages
EnglishOther
Contacts : Shane Barber, managing partner ([email protected])Comparative Guides
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