Technology and Digital

Our Technology and Digital team's unparalleled local and international experience and passion for technology sets them apart. Clients seek out the team for their market knowledge, innovative and client-focussed approach, and their ability to execute on the most critical and complex technology and digital projects.
 
Our market-leading team comprises lawyers who are each themselves recognised leaders in the technology and digital space. A group of true specialists, they work across the full spectrum of technology and digital matters, with expertise in major transformation projects, strategic sourcing, data, privacy and cybersecurity, emerging tech, FinTech and telecommunications. We also advise Māori organisations on all aspects of technology and digital law.
 
The team advises across the full lifecycle of technology and digital transactions, from development, procurement and supply, to strategic partnering, funding and investment, disputes and exits. They are consistently selected as the advisor of choice on the most significant technology projects in New Zealand, across both public and private sectors.

Strategic Sourcing and Major Transformations

With unrivalled local and international expertise in complex IT transformations and outsourcing, our Strategic Sourcing Team are the go-to advisors for New Zealand's largest domestic and multi-national transactions occurring in this space. Read more about our expertise here.

Privacy, Data and Cybersecurity

As the regulatory environment becomes increasingly complex, and emerging technologies create new data management and privacy challenges, our team of experts are here to support you. We advise clients on data management and security practices, the privacy implications of implementing new technologies, data migration projects, privacy and data protection law compliance, security and privacy breach response (including support with regulatory investigations and notification processes) and third-party data processing arrangements.

Cloud, as-a-Service and Data Centres

Our team have deep expertise on the development, rollout and procurement of SaaS and other cloud-based offerings, and regularly advise clients on SaaS terms and related privacy compliance requirements. We also have specialist expertise on data centre arrangements including managed service and colocation agreements.  

Emerging Tech

Our experts advise on the full spectrum of emerging technologies, including AI, the Internet of Things, blockchain and the trust economy, virtual and augmented reality, 3D printing and just about everything "as-a-Service". These technologies are driving change at an exciting pace, but also posing complex legal and regulatory challenges. We support clients to navigate the requirements specific to their industry and drive value for their business.

FinTech

Advising on everything from blockchain-powered trading platforms to payment systems, afterpay solutions, regulatory compliance and open banking, our dedicated FinTech team are leading experts in the FinTech space. Read more about our FinTech team here.

Telecommunications

We offer specialised advice for the telecommunications sector, including in the roll out of new services, network access agreements and downstream supply arrangements, construction of capacity, and outsourcing solutions. Where needed, we involve our regulatory, competition, public law, or disputes experts to provide comprehensive support to clients in this sector.

Māori organisations

Our specialists advise Māori organisations on digital and technology matters, including technology contracts and projects, the development and commercialisation of technology, and compliance issues relating to the introduction of new technology solutions and services.

Our experience in this space includes advising:

• The New Zealand Data Economy Collective on the establishment, consultation and response to the Government's proposed introduction of a Consumer Data Right in New Zealand.
• A large New Zealand bank in relation to its ongoing BS11 compliance program, including with respect to the renegotiation of intra-group and third party IT outsourcing arrangements.
• Fonterra on the 2020 outsourcing of their global IT infrastructure requirements to HCL.
• Auckland International Airport on its partnering arrangements with Vision-Box in relation to the introduction of biometric eGates.
• Digital will platform provider, Footprint, on its landmark partnership with Aon in relation to a first-of-its-kind subscription-based digital will service covering up to 70,000 Aon members and employees.
• Counties Power on its partnership with WEL Networks to develop New Zealand's first end-to-end e-mobility software platform, OpenLoop.

The Technology & Digital team is recognised as 'Tier 1' in the Legal500 Asia Pacific 2021 TMT guide, and Band 3 in the Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific 2021 TMT guide.
 
Partners Liz Blythe and Mei Fern Johnson, and Special Counsel Louise Taylor are individually ranked in the Legal500 Asia Pacific 2021 guide, with Liz recognised as 'Next Generation Partner', Mei Fern as 'Leading Individual', and Louise as 'Recommended'.
 
In 2021, Partner Liz Blythe was named 'Lawyer of the Year – Technology Media & Telecommunications' at the Euromoney Women in Business Law Awards 2021. Special Counsel Louise Taylor was named one of NZ Lawyer's Most Influential Lawyers 2021 in the Changemaker category.