Bird & Bird LLP

TMT

Nick is a partner working in Tech & Comms and Privacy & Data Protection. He has been based in the Middle East for almost 20 years, assisting local and international clients by providing specialist legal support on diverse matters in the broader technology, media and telecommunications space.

Nick moved to Dubai from New Zealand in 2006, initially specialising in intellectual property before developing expertise in technology, media, telecommunications and data matters. In 2018 Nick moved to Saudi Arabia, where he built and managed the first genuine 'on-the-ground' specialist TMT practice in the Kingdom, gaining great insight into the regulatory and business landscape in this key market. Nick now splits his time between the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Given the nature of the Gulf markets, his practice is very diverse. It ranges from legal support on transactions with a tech angle through to regulatory advisory in the broader technology, media and telecommunications space. Much of the advisory work relates to discrete, ad hoc queries, although it also includes significant ongoing advisory projects, including in respect of major tech investments in the region.

Nick often assists international clients from outside the region seeking local insight in respect of new opportunities in an unfamiliar region; they appreciate a sensible perspective on what can sometimes be a challenging or opaque legal environment. Instructions from local clients (both private sector and government) are an increasing part of his work as the region invests for the future; these clients appreciate the international perspective and expertise that he brings.

Nick regularly contributes to publications relevant to his legal specialisation in the Middle East. These have included the UAE chapter of Data Protection & Privacy, 3rd Edition (the Sweet & Maxwell International Series), and the UAE and Saudi Arabia chapters of Proskauer on Privacy.

English, Japanese

Nick is admitted in New Zealand, New South Wales and England & Wales, registered with the Legal Affairs Department of the Government of Dubai, and an 'Affiliate Member' of the Saudi Bar Association.

He is also a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/E).

University of Otago (New Zealand), LLB