Singled out for its expertise in commercial and regulatory TMT matters, Bird & Bird‘s broad offering covers NFT transactions, autonomous driving, cloud, IT and telecoms work. Fintech and payments mandates also continue to be a strength for a group that has seen an increase in instructions relating to data protection and privacy matters, namely security assessments. Leadership duties are split between Beijing-based partner James Gong and Wilfred Ng, who joined from Tencent in November 2022 and spearheads the corporate and commercial TMT team in Hong Kong. Matthew Laight’s caseload includes contentious and non-contentious IP matters, while Hank Leung’s IP know-how extends to mandates involving monetisation in China and across the APAC region. Calista Chiu is another key contact in the group. Clarice Yue left the firm in December 2022.

Consumer brands, financial services clients and a wide array of players in the TMT sector turn to Hogan Lovells for assistance with issues concerning cyber security, open banking, cloud services and blockchain. Key types of work at the firm include market access analysis, regulatory advice and the drafting and review of commercial contracts; the team is also well-placed to draft and negotiate agreements for technology collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. Mark Parsons spearheads the offering; his commercial and regulatory expertise extends to advising on technology and business process outsourcing projects. Eugene Low leads the Hong Kong IPMT practice and has focuses on IP and data privacy matters. Andrew McGinty handles transactional work in the TMT arena, while Tommy Liu advises on contractual arrangements for TMT-related projects. PJ Kaur and Katherine Tsang are also key contacts in the group.

Clifford Chance is well-placed to advise on transformational technology projects, platform collaborations and TMT transactions, in addition to regulatory issues relating to the implementation of technologies such as blockchain and AI. The team is co-headed by the Singapore-based Stella Cramer, who joined in April 2023 from Norton Rose Fulbright, and Ling Ho, whose contentious and non-contentious practice extends to technology-related IP litigation and licensing issues. Fang Liu specialises in TMT work with a capital markets dimension and counsel Clarice Yue joined from Bird & Bird in December 2022, and advises on cross-border data transfer issues in the context of the rolling out of digital platforms.

With demonstrable experience advising on mandates relating to telecoms and technology, DLA Piper acts for fintech entities, platform operators, financial services clients, insurance companies and telecoms operators on a range of matters, including collaboration transactions, e-money and online payment systems projects, data privacy and market and financial data-related agreements. Lauren Hurcombe leads the practice and is praised for her ‘clear understanding of what the customer needs now and in the future’. Yue Lin Lee is singled out for her expertise in IT outsourcings and technology contracts, while Venus Cheung advises on a wide range of APAC technology and data matters. Alice Li left the firm in April 2023.

Mayer Brown’s IP and TMT practice is well-regarded for its handling of IT and fintech projects, with the team frequently assisting on issues pertaining to fintech, regtech, AI and payments. Other key areas of expertise include cyber security and data privacy, in addition to regulatory telecoms matters. The team also advises on the establishment of virtual banks, cross-border data transfers and the implementation of fintech and e-commerce platforms. Practice leader Gabriela Kennedy handles data privacy mandates throughout Asia, as well as domain name and IT matters. Amita Haylock stands out for her expertise in cross-border arbitrations involving licensing, technology and IP issues, while TL Lim is a key contact for cybersecurity work extending to response strategies after catastrophic accidents. Joshua Woo, who advises on technology-related transactions, is another key contact in the group.

A slew of blue-chip TMT companies and start-ups turn to Morrison Foerster for assistance on mandates, including technology-related transactions, outsourcing and IP licensing arrangements. The firm is also a key destination for technology investors and technology companies looking for advice concerning the Chinese regulatory landscape, while financial services and health science clients are among those who entrust the team to handle data privacy issues. A trio of partners head up the practice, with Hong Kong-based Gordon Milner singled out for his expertise in online services in China. In Shanghai, fellow co-head, Chuan Sun specialises in transactional work including technology collaborations; and Paul McKenzie, who completes the leadership trio, divides his time between Shanghai and Beijing and is well-placed to advise investors based outside of Asia on strategic investments into China. In Hong Kong, Marcia Ellis and Gigi Yuen are key contacts for private equity mandates and technology-related transactions respectively.

With demonstrable experience in the financial services, fintech, retail, leisure, and transportation sectors, Norton Rose Fulbright's technology and innovation team is active across a broad spectrum of TMT work, spanning technology agreements, outsourcing transactions, cryptocurrency regulation, DeFi products and internet regulatory issues. Practice head Anna Gamvros is a key figure behind the firm’s recognised expertise in cyber breach response and compliance. Gamvros frequently works alongside fintech expert Etelka Bogardi, who is well-versed in the regulatory challenges faced by digital asset exchanges and wider blockchain projects. US and Hong Kong-qualified lawyer Harold Tin is frequently involved in equity and debt capital markets transactions, while Ruby Kwok and Edward Yau further boast the practice's expertise in data protection.

Deacons’ TMT practice covers data protection and privacy, telecoms transactions and an array of media and entertainment matters, including film rights distribution issues. The team also boasts a strong contentious offering, frequently handling litigation, arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution in the TMT arena. Machiuanna Chu and Charmaine Koo jointly lead the practice. The former is a key contact for cross-border investment transactions and the latter frequently leverages her contentious experience to assist clients in investigations by and appeals against the Privacy Commissioner. Ian Liu is noted for his expertise in digital assets, while local law compliance issues form part of Amy Chung’s diverse work portfolio.

Eversheds Sutherland’s technology practice boasts a strong workload for TMT clients, ranging from major multinationals to emerging start-ups. The team handles innovative and strategic technology transactions, in addition to digital transformation projects, and has experienced growth in mandates concerning technology outsourcing and digital currencies. Rhys McWhirter leads the team and advises on data privacy and digital payments matters, while ethical issues in AI development is a key area of expertise for Frankie Tam. Other key contacts in the group include Philip Chow and Kenny Tam.

Haldanes, Solicitors and Notaries’s media and entertainment group is praised for its ‘understanding and insights’ in the film, television and music industries. Representative work for the team ranges from financing and distribution to artist and talent agreements. Practice head John McLellan is a regional powerhouse for commercial transactions in the APAC region, while Michael Leow’s expertise lies at the intersection between corporate and commercial law and media. Regulatory issues concerning internet streaming and broadcasting make up part of Weiken Yau’s practice and Anthony Leung is another key contact in the group.

A strong focus on founder representation is the defining feature of Tanner De Witt’s TMT practice. Partnerships with government bodies, accelerator and incubation programmes mean that the team is well-positioned to advise founders and their businesses from early stage, expansion and, if necessary, exit. Practice leader Pádraig Walsh is well-versed in issues concerning licensing, technology procurement and corporate transactions in the TMT arena, while Tara Chan is singled out for her expertise in data privacy.