Allens enjoys a first-rate reputation in the IT and telecoms market, attracting large domestic clients as well as global tech companies, which turn to the team for advice on technology procurement and digital transformation projects. Practice head Gavin Smith is known for his work on corporate transactions within the tech space, while Phil O’Sullivan deals with tech in healthcare and Jessica Mottau works on tech licensing agreements. Furthermore, with the addition of Valeska Bloch as head of cyber, the team has further strengthened its offering in managing cyber incidents, data breaches and data security.

The deep bench at Ashurst leverages its expertise across the east coast of Australia to assist its clients, which range from tech and telecoms companies to banks and government bodies, with digital infrastructure, digital transformation and digital services. Amanda Ludlow and Andrew Craig lead the practice, the former working on the regulatory facets of digital infrastructure projects and the latter specialising in tech transactions. Clare Doneley advises clients within the public and private sectors on outsourcing, enterprise resource planning and cloud services, while Tim Brookes specialises in data use and regulation.

Led by Bruce Lloyd from the Sydney office, Clayton Utz attracts a wide range of high-profile domestic clients, which turn to the team for its expertise across the government, agriculture, telecoms and financial services sectors. The team is home to well-respected TMT specialist Ken Saurajen, who has a reputation for working with banks, universities and governments on high-end and complex technology transactions, in addition to Walid Sukari, whose practice covers a broad range of fields, from finance to aviation. Technology transactions expert Simon Newcomb is another name to note.

Working with leading multinational tech companies, Corrs Chambers Westgarth is a go-to advisor for those seeking advice on digital transformation, tech transactions, data protection and data security issues. With over 25 years of experience working in the TMT space, James North leads the practice from the Sydney office, where he often collaborates with James Wallace, who works on tech investments, fintech products and tech platforms. Philip Catania from the Melbourne office has a background in law and computer science, making him a first point of contact for advice on artificial intelligence.

Gilbert + Tobin fields a team of ‘skilled and highly intelligent negotiators’, who advise on cybersecurity risks and infrastructure projects as well as joint ventures, restructurings and alliances within the TMT space. An authority in this area, Sheila McGregor practices from the Sydney office, focusing on cloud and data security issues within the IT and tech law space, while Tim Goyle works on data security issues within the technology, broadcasting and telecommunications arenas. Simon Burns deals with the regulatory and contracting side of tech and data transactions.

Market leader Herbert Smith Freehills LLP handles a range of corporate and technology-based transactions, covering digital transformations, data privacy, investigations, data forensics and dispute management for tech companies. Julian Lincoln heads the practice, working particularly with IP data protection issues for clients within the tech sector, as well as the government sector. The practice is also home to Peter Jones, who has over 25 years of experience handling TMT transactions across Australia and the Asia Pacific region, as well as Kwok Tang, who deals with global tech clients and advises on emerging technologies such as AI and drones.

With expertise spanning data security, data regulation, cloud services and AI, the group at King & Wood Mallesons is a popular choice among ASX-listed companies, media groups, telcos, global tech giants and start-ups. Practice head Cheng Lim, who specialises in commercial and regulatory tech law; Michael Swinson, who has extensive knowledge of AI, cybersecurity and data governance; and Jessica Kruger, who is well versed at managing large-scale digital infrastructure projects, are among the names to note. Rachael Lewis is another key practitioner; she advises on a wide breadth of telecoms regulatory law and is highlighted for her ability to 'propose solutions and a way forward and drive great outcomes'.

Norton Rose Fulbright attracts high-profile international and domestic TMT companies thanks to its expertise in data privacy, cryptocurrency and AI. The team is jointly led by Anna Gamvros, who handles tech agreements and regulatory matters, Nick Abrahams, who advises on digital transformation and tech procurement, Martyn Taylor, who deals with high-profile telecoms transactions, and Peter Mulligan, who specialises in information and communications technology and works for universities, banks and governmental bodies.

The team at Baker McKenzie offers a full service to its TMT clients, and is particularly active in the technology, telecoms, healthcare and luxury goods sectors. The practice is headed by copyright, defamation and media regulation expert Andrew Stewart in the Sydney office. The practice is also home to Anne-Marie Allgrove, who specialises in global cybersecurity, privacy and information governance, in addition to Anne Petterd, who is well versed in navigating data breaches, data security matters and defence projects.

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.

Maddocks draws the attention of national and international blue-chip companies seeking council on tech transactions, software licencing, cybersecurity, data privacy and tech procurement projects. Caroline Atkins, who has experience working on the negotiation of agreements with governmental bodies, leads the group alongside Brendan Tomlinson, who specialises in outsourcing projects and software licencing data analytics, and Robert Gregory, whose experience spans numerous sectors, and who often advises corporate clients on IP law.

With offices across Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra and Sydney, Minter Ellison offers national expertise to its client base, which includes governmental bodies, financial institutions and companies operating in the energy, aviation, telecoms, media and education sectors. Leadership is shared between Nicholas Pascoe, who advises clients on ICT matters across the public and private sectors; Paul Kallenbach, head of cyber law and data privacy; and Amanda Story, whose work is backed by 18 years of experience advising on tech procurement within the government sector. Kylie Diwell is another key practitioner in the team.

K&L Gates is highlighted for its provision of ‘pragmatic and commercial solutions to problems, with a very high level of technical and industry understanding’ in the TMT space. The group has a wide expertise, ranging from transactional, where it advises governmental bodies on matters such as outsourcing, to the strategic, where it carries out risk management and data security work. Cameron Abbott leads the group, handling tech procurement projects and e-commerce transactions. Richard Chew advises clients on emerging tech, Rob Pulham handles privacy and cybersecurity, and Allison Wallace focuses on IP.

Lander & Rogers provides regulatory and commercial advice to a variety of clients, ranging from start-ups to multinationals. The team is best known for its work with cryptocurrency and cybersecurity. Leadership of the practice is split between Robert Neely, who is sought out by clients needing tech procurement advice within the public and private sectors, and Lisa Fitzgerald, who has over 20 years of experience working in the TMT space. Senior associate Keely O’Dowd is a key point of contact for clients seeking advice on privacy issues and cybersecurity.

Webb Henderson has a broad TMT service, offering clients advice across corporate, commercial and regulatory matters. The firm is led from Sydney by Angus Henderson, a digital infrastructure and fibre optics specialist; Ara Margossian, who handles large-scale telecoms infrastructure projects; and Ish Omar, who has vast experience in telecoms projects, as well as media and technology.

The group at DLA Piper acts for technology, IT, e-commerce and fintech businesses around the globe, advising on the full scope of technology matters, including digital transformation projects, software development and licencing, data privacy and cybersecurity. Its workload includes telecoms services agreements and outsourcing matters. The practice is led by skilled practitioner Tim Lyons, who advises on tech supply and outsourcing transactions, as well as upgrade and implementation projects, while Sarah Dolan provides clients with advice on the structuring and management of projects across the energy, financial services, mining and government sectors.

Gadens Lawyers is well versed in dealing with the gamut of digital, tech, data and cybersecurity matters, such as digital transformation and licencing. The practice is co-led by Dudley Kneller, who handles data privacy and strategic sourcing of tech for domestic and international clients, Antoine Pace, who specialises in IT and IP law, and Lionel Hogg, whose broad practice includes cryptocurrency matters.

The team at Johnson Winter Slattery advises on the full range of TMT matters, including data regulation and AI. The Sydney office fields practice head Ravi De Fonseka, whose specialism is in data and IP law, Daniel Thompson, who is deemed to be an ‘exceptional problem solver who is solutions focused and always willing to think outside the box’, and Jennifer Dean, a competition and regulatory lawyer who specialises in tech, media and telecoms transactions.

The TMT practice at Sparke Helmore Lawyers is known for its work in tech procurement along with its ability to navigate data privacy and cybersecurity-related issues, which ensures a steady stream of instructions from clients across the banking and health sectors. The group is co-led from the Sydney office by Dalvin Chien, an expert in data rights and e-commerce, and Shannon Platt, who specialises in IP litigation and brand protection. Alexandra Wedutenko works in the Canberra office; the focus of her practice is data protection and privacy, as well as cloud services.

Squire Patton Boggs services international and domestic clients, offering legal advice across tech matters, covering cybersecurity, digital media, AI and fintech. The work is overseen by James Konidaris, who often deals with high-profile global tech companies and leading TMT providers, along with Richard W Horton, who works with start-ups and emerging companies from key industries such as software, biotechnology and robotics.

Thomson Geer is a ‘full-service firm with excellent client service’, entrusted by government bodies, software companies and telcos to advise on all aspects of TMT transactions. Mark Feetham has over 30 years of experience working on media, tech and telecoms matters. He leads the group from the Sydney office and is known for giving expert advice on cybersecurity, smart grids and IoT. Demetrios Christou is another name to note, singled out for his ‘years of experience and excellent knowledge of IT and telecoms’.