Joe Edwards > Russell McVeagh > Auckland, New Zealand > Lawyer Profile

Banks, insurers and government agencies turn to Russell McVeagh for assistance with matters ranging from establishing data protection strategies and frameworks across various platforms, to those including data breach management. The team also advises clients on GDPR and regulatory compliance. The unit is additionally handling a growing number of litigation cases concerning injunctions used to protect data. A trio of partners head up the team, being Auckland-based commercial litigator Joe Edwards who has a proven track record handling high-profile privacy, data and confidential information cases; tech specialist Liz Blythe who has longstanding experience advising on privacy and data protection law considerations; and Wellington-based practitioner Mei Fern Johnson who is well-placed to advise on IT outsourcing arrangements. Special counsel Louise Taylor has a focus on tech contracts and operates from the firm’s Auckland office.

Public sector, financial services, media and emerging tech expertise forms the cornerstone of the TMT practice at Russell McVeagh. The team possesses the capabilities to advise its diverse roster of clients on the full lifecycle of TMT transactions, including funding, development, procurement and supply, partnerships, investments, and commercialisations. Auckland-based Liz Blythe co-heads the firm’s tech practice, and is noted for her focus on tech, digital and telecoms-related matters. Joe Edwards heads the media, marketing law and IP team and fields an impressive track record acting on high-profile TMT cases. The Wellington office is home to Mei Fern Johnson who routinely handles nationally significant tech projects and specialises in complex procurement and structuring for multi-party, collaborative and innovative tech projects. Special counsel Louise Taylor is recommended for her specialism advising on tech contracts and projects.

The ‘commercial’ team at Russell McVeagh, praised for its ability to offer clients ‘highly valued, strategic advice’, counts national corporations and local companies among its clients. The practice handles a wide range of IP mandates in the banking and financial services, media and manufacturing sectors. The team is led by ‘exceptional operator’ Joe Edwards, who specialises in brand protection, IP disputes and commercial IP transactions. Liz Blythe heads the technology team, advising on complex technology transactions, including the procurement, supply, development, manufacturing, outsourcing and commercialisation of technology. Special counsel Brigette Shone is noted for her ability to act for clients in a wide range of disputes before the High Court and Court of Appeal.