Bird & Bird > Sydney, Australia > Firm Profile
Bird & Bird Offices

LEVEL 22
MLC CENTRE
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Australia
Bird & Bird > The Legal 500 Rankings
Australia > Data protection Tier 2
Recent work for the ‘sophisticated yet very practical‘ group at Bird & Bird includes complex privacy reviews and strategic advisory engagements for various global brands. The international client base benefits from an integrated, global data practice, which offers clients ‘access to international practice and expertise’ as well as local expertise. This is particularly useful when it comes to fields such as law reform, a noted area of strength for the group. ‘Responsible and knowledgeable‘ Sophie Dawson leads the team alongside Hamish Fraser. Bolstering the team’s offering at partner level, Julie Cheeseman joined in September 2021 from Ashurst, bringing to bear her expertise in privacy advice and dispute resolution. All mentioned lawyers are based in Sydney.Practice head(s):
Sophie Dawson; Hamish Fraser
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Experienced partners and lawyers with access to international practice and expertise, to supplement their local knowledge. We’ve used Bird & Bird on some law reform issues, where that breadth of knowledge has been very useful. The team is very responsive and thoughtful.’
‘Sophie Dawson is excellent to work with – responsive and knowledgeable. Good at engaging others and getting the confidence of our business people. Emma Croft is a good associate.’
‘The data protection team at Bird & Bird is sophisticated yet very practical and relevant in its advice to individual and corporate clients alike. Highly effective and very enjoyable to work with.’
Key clients
Major media company
National Roads and Motorists Association
Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB)
Tencent
Work highlights
- Advised the Interactive Advertising Bureau on the development of global privacy guidance for the digital advertising industry.
- Acted for major international and Australian companies in the current privacy law reform process.
- Advised on Australian privacy law aspects of global health tech projects, and co-ordinated international advice on those projects.
Australia > IT and telecoms Tier 2
Bird & Bird is entrusted by a steadily growing roster of innovative tech sector clients, particularly in the areas of satellites, space law, and autonomous vehicles. On the regulatory side, the team routinely handles matters stemming from technology, communications, and financial services sector entities. Practice co-head Hamish Fraser advises on both technology regulation and commercial issues, while fellow co-chair Thomas Jones is a port of call for issues regarding carriers, service providers and governments. Shane Barber, the firm’s Australian managing partner, is a key name to note when it comes to the knowledge economy sector. All mentioned lawyers are based in Sydney.Practice head(s):
Hamish Fraser; Thomas Jones
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
DXC Technology Australia
Vodafone Hutchinson Australia Pty Ltd (now TPG Telecom)
Rockstar Games (related to Take-Two Interactive)
Basware Pty Ltd
Speedcast International
Aircall SAS
Mitratech Holdings, Inc
Epic Games
Pivotel Group
PPRO Holding GmbH
MTF Holdings Pty Ltd (Macquarie Bank) and management sellers – Verser Technology Lifecycles
NRMA
Software AG Australia Pty Ltd
Inmarsat Global
Verizon Inc
[CM.com]
Work highlights
- Representing DXC Technology and Hewlett-Packard Australia Pty Limited in relation to litigation against Optus in the New South Wales Supreme Court, regarding a project concerning Optus’ wholesale telephony systems.
- Acting for Vodafone Hutchison Australia, and also the joint venture between Vodafone and Optus Mobile Pty Limited, in matters relating to the rollout of 4G and 5G networks across Australia.
- Successfully obtaining orders and relief for copyright infringement for Take-Two Interactive Software Inc; RockStar Games Inc in proceedings concerning unauthorised mods written for the Grand Theft Auto V game.
Australia > Media and entertainment Tier 2
Sophie Dawson co-chairs the ‘brilliantly broad’ group at Bird & Bird, alongside communications and media lawyer Shane Barber; a group which has expanded with the arrival of Julie Cheeseman from Ashurst in March 2022. Cheeseman is praised by clients for possessing a ‘breadth of understanding on the framework of law and regulation impacting the media industry.’ Dawson utilises her ‘great experience, insights, and wisdom in the area of Australian defamation law’, to assist a variety of major media companies, including in relation to strategic and regulatory matters as well as in disputes. All named lawyers are based in Sydney.Practice head(s):
Sophie Dawson; Shane Barber
Other key lawyers:
Rich Hawkins; Julie Cheeseman
Testimonials
‘Sophie Dawson brings great experience, insights and wisdom in the area of Australian defamation law.’
‘Very experienced partners in the media space, across contentious and non contentious matters. The team has grown in the last 12 months, to allow better partner availability which is a plus.’
‘Sophie Dawson and Julie Cheeseman are both experienced media advisers whose expertise we value. They are efficient, pragmatic, and highly knowledgeable in a technical area of the law. They are also both a pleasure to work with. Joel Parsons is excellent beyond his years – very much trust him with our work.’
‘The Bird & Bird team, expertly led by Sophie Dawson and Julie Cheeseman, has an impressive depth and breadth of understanding on the framework of law and regulation impacting the media industry. They are approachable, accessible and lead a strong team.’
‘Sophie Dawson and Julie Cheeseman are each incredibly responsive and adaptable to our industry, priorities and pressures. Sophie Dawson’s knowledge of media regulation and law reform is encyclopedic and at the highest level.’
‘The Bird & Bird team has a brilliantly broad reach, both intellectually and across borders. Their area of specialty requires an constantly-evolving understanding of developments locally as well as in other territories.’
‘Julie Cheeseman is another great credit to the Bird & Bird team. She is a pleasure to deal with and is able quickly to distil complexity into a manageable and practical way forward. Her experience in and passion for the industry is clear immediately and it is put to excellent use for her clients’ benefit.’
‘Rich Hawkins is trustworthy, friendly. His ability to break down complex problems, describe them in plain language and solve those issues is a huge plus.’
Key clients
Nine Entertainment Co.
Take-Two Interactive Software Inc; RockStar Games, Inc
Epic Games, Inc
Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB)
Australian Police Journal
Fiji Rugby Union
Work highlights
- Advising Nine Entertainment in relation to a variety of defamation, privacy, regulatory and other matters.
- Successfully obtaining orders and relief for copyright infringement for Take-Two Interactive Software Inc (RockStar Games Inc) in proceedings concerning unauthorised mods written for the Grand Theft Auto V game.
- Acting for Epic Games Inc in relation to the unauthorised online sale of items relating to its popular Fortnite game.
Australia > Intellectual property Tier 3
Practitioners at the Sydney-based Bird & Bird are praised for their ‘good knowledge on contentious and non-contentious IP issues’ as well as their ‘experience with a variety of clients.’ The group is able to draw on its close collaborative ties with a wider international network of offices to advise on complex cross-border matters, including concurrent patent infringement proceedings which have been filed both domestically and internationally. The team is headed up by Jane Owen, a specialist in IP strategy and disputes work. Lynne Lewis is particularly focused on retail and consumer issues within IP.Practice head(s):
Jane Owen
Other key lawyers:
Sophie Dawson; Lynne Lewis
Testimonials
‘Good knowledge on contentious and non-contentious IP issues and experience with a variety of clients. Pragmatic and commercial.’
‘Sophie Dawson is a pleasure to deal with. Efficient and knowledgeable.’
Key clients
Boart Longyear Group of companies Limited
Uniden Australia Pty Limited
Rakman Pty Ltd & Trafalgar Pty Ltd
Howden Group
Abbey Laboratories ats Elanco
Troy Laboratories
Lupin Pharmaceuticals
Mahindra & Mahindra
Mattel (and its related entities)
Wisetech Global Limited
Internet Services Australia 1 Pty Ltd trading as THE ICONIC
Align Technology, Inc
Elixinol Global Limited
The Wonderful Company
Airtasker Pty Ltd
First Pharma Pty Ltd
Noumi Limited (previously Freedom Foods Group)
Caffitaly SpA
Target Brands Inc
KPMG Australia IP Holdings Pty Ltd
HelloFresh SE
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Australia Pty Ltd
Wontok Australia Pty Ltd /Wontok International
Body Fit Training Company Pty Ltd
Specsavers
Zagro Veterinary
Epic Games, Inc
Take-Two Interactive Software Inc; RockStar Games, Inc
The Capital Group Companies
Qatar Airways Group (Q.C.S.C.)
Work highlights
- Acting for Boart Longyear Limited in 2 patent infringement/revocation claims in the Federal Court.
- Successfully obtaining orders and relief for copyright infringement for Take-Two Interactive Software Inc; RockStar Games Inc in proceedings concerning unauthorised mods written for the Grand Theft Auto V game.
- Bringing successful patent and design infringement proceedings in the Federal Court on behalf of our client, HyperIce Inc, relating to its sports massage gun.
Australia > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 4
The dispute resolution team at Bird & Bird, which is headed by Sophie Dawson, was strengthened by the hires of commercial and regulatory disputes partner Jonathon Ellis, who joined from DLA Piper in March 2022, and Julie Cheeseman, who joined from Ashurst in September 2021. Cheeseman’s expertise is most keenly concentrated in TMT disputes; a core sector focus for the firm. Other notable team members include IP specialists Jane Owen and Lynne Lewis.Practice head(s):
Sophie Dawson
Other key lawyers:
Jane Owen; Lynne Lewis; Mark Buchanan; Julie Cheeseman; Jonathon Ellis
Key clients
DXC Technology, its related entity Ent. Services Australia Pty Ltd and Hewlett-Packard Australia Pty Limited
Take-Two Interactive Inc, Rock Star Games, Inc
Epic Games Inc
Nine Entertainment Co
Dongkuk Steel
Howden Group Limited
Brien Holden Vision Institute Limited
Louise Milligan
Tech2Home Pty Ltd
Boart Longyear Group of companies Limited
Mahindra & Mahindra
Airtasker Pty Ltd
Target Brands Inc
Abbey Laboratories ats Elanco
Mattel (and its related entities)
Work highlights
- Representing DXC Technology and Hewlett-Packard Australia Pty Limited in relation to litigation against Optus in the New South Wales Supreme Court, regarding a project concerning Optus’ wholesale telephony systems.
- Acting for Take-Two in proceedings concerning unauthorised mods written for Grand Theft Auto V.
- Acting for Epic Games Inc in relation to unauthorised Fortnite-related material sold online.
Australia > Labour and employment Tier 5
Part of its international HR services group, the Sydney-based labour and employment team at Bird & Bird is routinely instructed by various household names in internal investigations, regulatory investigations, and litigious proceedings – including unfair dismissal and discrimination claims and redundancies. Headed by Kristy Peacock-Smith, a specialist in due diligence and business integration, and the group’s blue-chip client base span the tech, telecoms, media, real estate, and life sciences sectors. Special counsel Leila Moddel left the practice in July 2022.Practice head(s):
Kristy Peacock-Smith
Testimonials
‘Kristy Peacock Smith’s team at Bird and Bird, Australia is a pleasure to work with. They are very prompt and give the most practical advice, to take forward our business. Most external counsels are risk-averse, but not so for Kristy Peacock Smith.’
Key clients
Software AG Australia Pty Ltd
DXC Technology Australia
Infosys Technologies Australia
TenCent
TomTom
Fiji Rugby Union
BBC Studios
Work highlights
- Proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia defending claims by two former employees of Software AG Australia Pty Ltd for non-payment of commissions, redundancy and breaches of the Fair Work Act.
- Advising DXC Technology regarding a claim in the NSW Supreme Court seeking an injunction and enforcing a 7-year non-competition restraint from a Securities Purchase Agreement.
- Defending Infosys regarding a claim in the Supreme Court of New South Wales brought by a former employee.
Australia > Corporate and M&A Tier 6
Bird & Bird's Sydney office acts as a hub for cross-border M&A mandates with a nexus to Australia or the Asia Pacific region, more broadly. The firm approaches work by way of specialised industry groups which intersect with specific practice areas. Each practitioner is directly involved with up to three sectors, in addition to being assigned to the wider corporate group. Team head Shane Barber, for example, notably focuses on media, entertainment, and sports transactions.Practice head(s):
Shane Barber
Other key lawyers:
James Durnall; Sally Barber
Testimonials
‘Personal attention and willingness to work all hours beyond any reasonable expectation to get the job done to a deadline.’
‘Organised, understands the commercial issues not just the legal ones, thinks beyond the square into the outside paddock. Sally Barber is one of the best I have worked with over 30 years of complex commercial transactions.’
‘The team is very practical and commercial and work with clients in a collegiate manner which makes them more like team members than external advisors. This makes for very effective and efficient working relationships.’
‘Their knowledge is diverse and their ability to deliver complex advice in a simplified manner is outstanding. They made me feel comfortable throughout the process, without feeling intimidated by the volume of legal issues we were covering.’
‘Shane Barber’s calm demeanour even during challenges was reassuring.’
‘Strong collaboration and work ethic from ALL members of the team.’
‘James Durnall is a relentless and collaborative partner, who gives strong advice and counsel when required. Additionally, he has a methodical approach to timelines.’
Key clients
Elixinol Global Limited
Cannim Pty Ltd
Leor Pty Ltd
Mitratech Holdings, Inc.
PPRO Holding GmbH
Minority sellers – Seertech Pty Ltd
Shareholders – Verser Techology Lifecycles Pty Ltd
9 Spokes Limited
Experience Co Limited
Work highlights
- Advised publicly listed Elixinol Global on the agreement to acquire leading German CBD company Cannacare Health.
- Advising Cannim, a global medicinal cannabis company, on an all-script merger with Medisun, one of Canada’s privately owned cultivators.
- Advising the shareholders of Leor on the sale of all of the shares in the company to G8 Education.
Bird & Bird > Firm Profile
The firm: With over 1,400 lawyers in 31 offices worldwide, Bird & Bird excels in managing complex projects for clients across the globe with a seamless one-firm approach.
The firm’s Australian office operates a collaborative integrated practice with the firm’s other offices and co-operation firms across the Asia-Pacific region. With offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and Sydney, the firm is well placed to advise Australian and New Zealand corporations on inbound and outbound investment opportunities with leading trading partners.
The firm’s Australian practice not only serves its clients across Australia and New Zealand, but also forms an integral part of its global offering and strengthens the firm’s practice in the Asia Pacific region.
Areas of practice: With a team of 40 legal specialists the firm’s local knowledge is key to its success – especially when the firm’s work involves multiple jurisdictions. The firm’s lawyers in Australia are widely recognised by clients and peers as being among the leading practitioners in their areas of expertise, which include: communications, competition, corporate and commercial, mergers and acquisitions, dispute resolution, information technology, e-commerce and media, infrastructure and real estate, intellectual property and international HR services.
The firm’s Sydney office undertakes cross-border and multi-jurisdictional work for some of the highest profile global and national corporations operating in the automotive, communications, electronics, energy and utilities, food and beverage, information technology, life science and healthcare, media, entertainment, sport and financial services industries.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Communications | |||
Competition | |||
Corporate and commercial | |||
Data protection and privacy | |||
Dispute resolution | |||
Information technology and e-commerce | |||
Infrastructure and real estate | |||
Intellectual property | |||
International HR services | |||
Media | |||
Life science and healthcare |
Staff Figures
Number of lawyers : 1,200 at this office : 40Languages
EnglishOther
Contacts : Shane Barber, managing partner (shane.barber@twobirds.com)Comparative Guides
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