Bird & Bird > Sydney, Australia > Firm Profile
Bird & Bird Offices
Level 22
25 Martin Place
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia
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Bird & Bird > The Legal 500 Rankings
Australia > Data protection Tier 2
Commended for its ‘in-depth knowledge’, Bird & Bird’s broad caseload encompasses company data processing agreements, compliance review, and cyber incident reporting. Within the team, Julie Cheeseman is versed in privacy disputes. James Hoy is often engaged in adtech matters, and Belyndy Rowe handles data sharing arrangements. Sophie Dawson departed the practice for Johnson Winter Slattery in April 2024.Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team is very knowledgeable about their area of expertise and can translate the legal requirements into pragmatic advice and assistance.’
‘The partners and associates work seamlessly together which makes them highly effective. ’
‘The team has good and in-depth knowledge of the practice area and are very responsive to client queries.’
Key clients
Tencent
Work highlights
Australia > IT and telecoms Tier 2
With a global presence, Bird & Bird’s recent caseload encompasses data breaches, regulatory telecommunications work, and project rollouts. In Sydney, team lead Thomas Jones is a key port of call for public sector entities. Shane Barber advises clients on regulatory FinTech matters, Julie Cheeseman is experienced in media disputes, and Matthew Bovaird is focused on competition law. Nick Boyle joined the team from DLA Piper in November 2024. Hamish Fraser departed the firm in 2024.Practice head(s):
Thomas Jones
Other key lawyers:
Shane Barber; Julie Cheeseman; Matthew Bovaird; Jonathon Ellis; Nick Boyle
Key clients
Semtech
TPG Telecom
Pivotel Group
BAI Communications Pty Ltd
Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA)
Echostar Global LLC
Waveconn Pty Ltd
Cordell Jigsaw Productions
Speedcast Holdings LLC
Wagestream Holdings Limited
Valiantys Group
Wontok International Enterprises Pty Ltd
Work highlights
- Advised Pivotel Group on the ACCC’s public inquiry into the declaration of fixed and mobile telecommunications services under Part XIC of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.
Australia > Intellectual property Tier 3
Bird & Bird is well-reputed for its involvement in the full range of IP infringement matters and global trade mark portfolio management work. The Sydney-based Jane Owen excels in complex patent litigation, and spearheads the team. Shehana Wijesena and Rebecca Currey, both recently promoted to partner, are noted for their experience in acting in copyright enforcement proceedings before the Federal Courts.Practice head(s):
Jane Owen
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Jane Owen and Rebecca Currey – good strategic thinkers.’
Key clients
Abbey Laboratories
Airtasker
Australian Medical & Scientific
Boart Longyear
Cipla Australia
Consorzio Per La Tutela Del Formaggio Asiago
Epic Games, Inc.
First Pharma
Fitness Systems
Globaltech Corporation
HelloFresh SE
KPMG Australia IP Holdings
Mattel
Mahindra & Mahindra
Nearmap Australia
Noumi Limited
PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting
Redcliffe Dolphins
Salesforce
SKODA AUTO
Target Brands
TPG Telecom Limited
Troy Laboratories
University of New South Wales
University of Technology Sydney
Vetafarm
WiseTech Global
Work highlights
- Representing Boart Longyear Limited in a series of patent infringement and recovation claims against the Imdex Group of companies in the Federal Court and Full Federal Court.
- Representing  Noumi in a global rebrand, managing its global trade mark portfolio  in Australia and elsewhere in the world and in various IP infringement matters arising in the course of its business.
- Acting for EPIC Games in copyright enforcement proceedings in the Federal Court against Australian infringers of its FORTNITE game.
Australia > Media and entertainment Tier 3
Bird & Bird is regularly engaged by social media platforms, gaming companies, media conglomerates, and international sports federations. The team’s broad expertise includes privacy, defamation, contempt, licensing, and marketing and advertising laws, with strong capabilities in pre-publication advice. Shane Barber advises global businesses on media law aspects and supports video game clients with regulatory issues. Julie Cheeseman specialises in handling contentious matters, compulsory processes, and pre-publication advice. Rich Hawkins brings deep expertise in high-value sports media rights transactions. Brianna Quinn is instrumental in maintaining the firm’s prominent standing in the sports sector, but the team suffered a blow when Sophie Dawson departed in May 2024.Practice head(s):
Shane Barber
Other key lawyers:
Julie Cheeseman; Rich Hawkins; Brianna Quinn; Hamish Fraser; Thomas Jones; James Hoy; Belyndy Rowe; Tom Macken
Testimonials
‘The team were very well-resourced and I had access to information and research at any hour of the day including weekends. It was refreshing to receive a high level of service.’Â
‘I found the lead partner in my case, Julie Cheeseman, not only efficient but very commercial in her thinking and outlook in a complex litigation case. I also dealt with a number of associates in the team who were at all times calm and across all the relevant legal and documentary issues.’Â
‘Bird and Bird occupies a unique niche in Australia being mid-sized and specialised in media/comms while also being part of a global firm with this speciality.’
‘Julie Cheeseman and James Hoy have very good experience across the TMT sectors, including in-house, and have taken the opportunity to host thought leadership sessions to broaden industry understanding of key issues.’
‘Depth of knowledge from partner down to junior solicitor. Fantastic team builders.’
‘Excellent at sports arbitration.’Â
‘Brianna Quinn is a standout in the sports arbitration market and brings unique insights from working for sports federations and in dispute resolution at the very highest levels.’
Key clients
Nine
Take-Two Interactive Software
Epic Games
Arenova Visual Media Holdings
Pilgrim Media Group
Arts Law Centre
Rugby Australia
Football Australia
World Aquatics
International Tennis Integrity Agency
International Testing Agency
FIFA
Basketball Arbitral Tribunal
Work highlights
- Acting for Nine and CJZ in both commercial and defamation proceedings .
- Acting for Rugby Australia in relation to the production and distribution of the Wallabies’ World Cup 2023 doc.
Australia > Competition and trade Tier 4
The competition and regulatory team at Bird & Bird takes a ‘commercial and practical approach‘ to its practice, handling investigations, immunity and leniency applications, regulation of monopolies, joint ventures, and merger clearances. Thomas Jones heads the team from Sydney, ‘a leader is his field’ bringing particular expertise in the technology and communications sectors and experience of ACCC investigations.Practice head(s):
Thomas Jones
Other key lawyers:
Matthew Bovaird; Patrick Cordwell
Testimonials
‘Commercial and practical approach.’
‘Thomas Jones remains a leader in his field with practical and commercial advice.’
Key clients
Pivotel Group
Melitta
DXC Technology
BAI Communications
Roche Diagnostics Australia
Football Australia
Countrywide Australasia Limited
Tencent
Work highlights
- Advised Pivotel Group on the ACCC’s public inquiry into the declaration of fixed and mobile telecommunications services under Part XIC of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.
Australia > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 4
The dispute resolution team at Bird & Bird handles a range of services for leading clients, from disputes for technology companies to arbitration proceedings for international sports clients and institutions, and contentious matters affecting the communications and life sciences sectors, among others. The firm benefits from the cross-border collaboration between its Australia and London teams on a number of cases, making it well placed to assist clients in multiple time zones. Jonathon Ellis is experienced in corporate and commercial disputes, and Julie Cheeseman assists clients in the technology and telecoms sectors. Other key individuals include Jane Owen, Brianna Quinn and Rebecca Currey.Practice head(s):
Jonathon Ellis
Other key lawyers:
Julie Cheeseman; Jane Owen; Brianna Quinn; Rebecca Currey; Masi Zaki
Testimonials
‘Very responsive, great litigation strategy and feel for the Australian legal landscape.’
‘Jonathan Taylor and Brianna Quinn are excellent in the field of sports law litigation.’
‘Jonathon Ellis is extremely pragmatic, knowledgeable and has a great personality.’
‘Jonathan Tay is a brilliant operator, very responsive and thorough.’
‘Very practical and flexible in their approach and advice.’
‘The law firm’s commitment to putting clients first is a key strength. They actively listen to clients’ needs, provide personalized advice, and tailor legal strategies accordingly. The firm’s team comprises seasoned attorneys with deep expertise in specific areas of law.’
Key clients
Take-Two Interactive Inc
Rockstar Games, Inc
Epic Games
Datacom
TPG Telecom Limited, including PIPE Networks
Nine
Football Australia
CJZ Pty Ltd (formerly Cordell Jigsaw Productions)
ZIM Integrated Shipping Services
Gold Star Line Limited
Crypto Open Patent Alliance
Salesforce
World Aquatics
International Tennis Integrity Agency
International Testing Agency
FIFA
Basketball Arbitral Tribunal
Work highlights
- Acted for Epic Games in relation to its claim of copyright infringement and breach of terms pertaining to Fortnite.
- Represented CJZ and its managing director and co-founder in separate proceedings arising out of a commercial dispute about the consumer affairs television series The Checkout, which aired on ABC.
- Acted for Nine in the defence of defamation proceedings related to A Current Affair, Nine’s flagship prime time current affairs programme.
Australia > Labour and employment Tier 5
The labour and employment team at Bird & Bird is well known for its expertise in advising on unfair dismissal claims and harassment matters, to name a couple of areas of strength. Practice head Kristy Peacock-Smith's workload includes handling cross-border restructurings and terminations, while Thomas Du assists with general protection applications.Practice head(s):
Kristy Peacock-Smith
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team offers sound, practical advice which doesn’t just focus on what’s legal, but what’s commercially sensible as well.’
‘Both Kristy Peacock-Smith and Thomas Du have helped us on short notice to navigate tricky issues and helped avoid litigation. Their responsiveness is greatly appreciated, especially given different working time zones, and as stated above, their ability to give commercial and practical advice without just repeating the law is what makes them stand out.’
Key clients
Quantcast Technologies Australia
Menlo Security Australia
BBC Studios
Medacta Australia
Guesty
Oyster HR
Remote Technology Inc.
CBRE
Blackhawk Network
Work highlights
- Acting for a former employee in ongoing proceedings brought in the Federal Circuit Court against Quantcast Australia.
- Advising on the employment law aspects of Thoma Bravo’s multi-jurisdictional acquisition of ForgeRock.
- Advising OysterHR on the employment law aspects of its business establishment in Australia.
Australia > Dispute resolution: arbitration
Australia > Banking and finance
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 |
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Shane Barber | Partner | View Profile |
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Julie Cheeseman | Partner | View Profile |
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Jonathon Ellis | Partner | View Profile |
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Hamish Fraser | Partner | View Profile |
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Thomas Jones | Partner | View Profile |
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Jane Owen | Partner | View Profile |
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Ms Kristy Peacock-Smith | Partner | View Profile |
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Brianna Quinn | Partner | View Profile |