The Legal 500

Freehills recently bolstered its technology group by hiring Keith Robinson from Minter Ellison and Damien Bailey from Simmons & Simmons. James Crowe has a ‘terrific practice’, and continues to advise Telstra on matters ranging from supply agreements to network performance issues. Leanne Norman and Fiona Gardiner-Hill are strong across all facets of TMT, and acted for Seven Group Holdings on the $4.1bn sale of its media arm to West Australian Newspapers. Other key clients include Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Apple.

‘Tech specialist’ Gilbert + Tobin is a ‘long-time market leader’, and has a substantial client base of blue-chip companies and government departments. The ‘excellent’ Peter Leonard recently advised AUSTAR on selling its spectrum holdings to NBN Co. Peter Waters remains Telstra’s lead adviser on the rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN), and Shelia McGregor is highly regarded for her expertise in transformation projects. Bill Spain heads the group.

Neil Carabine and Renae Lattey at Mallesons Stephen Jaques led the 150-strong team that advised Telstra on its involvement in NBN. Cheng Lim also acted for the telecoms giant in its attempt to obtain a number of media rights from the Australian Football League. ‘Reliable supervisor’ Katrina Rathie has the ability to ‘manoeuvre a case through the minefields that are usually present during difficult litigation’.

Minter Ellison’s ‘talented and committed’ team has a proclivity for large IT outsourcing projects, and recently advised Qantas on a master services arrangement. The ‘straight-talking’ Anthony Lloyd heads the group, which is praised for its ‘commercial awareness and focus’. Despite losing Keith Robinson to Freehills, the group retains good bench strength, particularly in Peter Bartlett, Oliver Barrett and Richard Dammery.

Allens Arthur Robinson’s highly regarded practice is ‘regularly involved in the key TMT transactions’. It has a close relationship with Vodafone Hutchinson, which a team led by Michael Pattison recently advised on a major technology managed-services project. Niranjan Arasaratnam advised NBNco on a $1.1bn wireless network contract with Ericsson.

Baker & McKenzie’s Anthony Foley recently advised KKR on selling its stake in Seven Media Group, and acted for Optus on the NBN interim satellite coverage agreement. Anne-Marie Allgrove advises financial services and technology clients on outsourcing, procurement and service arrangements.

Tim Brookes and Gordon Hughes lead Blake Dawson’s ‘exceptional’ TMT practice. The group has recently handled a number of litigation matters for News Ltd and continues to act for the Australian Tax Office on a software integration project. Georgina Adams also comes recommended for her ‘pragmatic advice’ and ‘strong knowledge of IT contracting issues’.

Corrs Chambers Westgarth has ‘a good appreciation of the requirements of government clients’, and remains the lead adviser to the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy on its relationship with Telstra and NBNco. The team has a ‘deep understanding of the marketplace’, but a distinct focus on network and IT procurement advice. Team head Andrew Messenger is ‘fantastic’.

Despite a number of partner departures, Clayton Utz maintains a solid media practice and advised Seven Network on its acquisition of Australian Football League broadcasting rights. Jim FitzSimons recently advised the Australian Paralympics Committee on broadcasting matters relating to the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Kate Jordan is highly esteemed.

DLA Piper Australia has increasingly focused on public sector IT, and has recently won a number of federal government contracts. Technology procurement expert Caroline Atkins advised the Australian Government Information Office on a volume sourcing arrangement with Microsoft, and cloud-computing specialist Alec Christie advised Fujitsu on a purpose-built data centre. Clients are ‘extremely happy’ with the services provided.

Henry Davis York represents companies in the technology and e-commerce space, handling system procurement projects and platform implementation. Geoffrey Hilton recently led advice to Global Television on a partnership with Network 9, and Robert Neely continues to advise Railcorp on its Business Finance Improvement programme.

Norton Rose Australia remains a key adviser for the NSW government on TMT matters, and recently advised on the redrafting of technology procurement contracts. Other highlights included handling outsourcing issues for ANZ Bank, and advising Australia-Singapore (International) on its plan to develop a submarine cable system. Network deployment expert Nick Abrahams heads the team.

John Atanaskovic oversees the IT and media group at Atanaskovic Hartnell, which focuses on corporate support for media clients including Australian Broadcasting Corporation and News Corporation.

Piper Alderman has a distinct focus on IT and media, including government initiatives and defamation matters. Tim Clark’s team recently advised NETHA and Dimension Data on certain government health projects.

Maddocks provides excellent ‘value for money’, and has a ‘strong knowledge of contracting with Australian Commonwealth government’. Brendan Coady recently advised Macquarie Telecom on regulatory matters.

Angus Henderson and Ara Margossian’s group at Webb Henderson has been busy with work for NBNco, which it advised on drafting of the access deed with Telstra. This boutique also assisted Singtel on a key transaction relating to the construction and roll out of Singapore’s next generation national broadband network.