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A&O takes 2 partners from JWS for tech transactions practice
Global law firm Allen & Overy has moved to strengthen its technology, telecommunications, and intellectual property capabilities, hiring two partners from BigLaw rival Johnson Winter Slattery.
Jerome Doraisamy
A&O has hired partners Ravi de Fonseka and Daniel Thompson (both pictured), whom the firm labelled “highly regarded technology, telecommunications and intellectual property lawyers”.
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The pair advise, the global firm outlined in a statement, on a “broad range” of local Australian and cross-border matters, including telecoms network, co-location, MVNO, regulatory, digital transformation, systems integration, outsourcing, IP and data-driven projects together with the technology, IP, data, and transition aspects of M&A projects, and their clients include large customers and suppliers of technology throughout the value chain and across all industry verticals, such as big tech, telco, financial services, energy and resources, agtech and other leading Australian and multinational corporations.
Between them, they bring more than 35 years of experience to their new firm.
A&O did not confirm when the pair would commence at the firm nor whether they are bringing any lawyers across to the global practice with them.
The news follows the appointment of a five-strong international partner team of cyber security incident response experts, which includes two Australia-based partners, from fellow global practice Norton Rose Fulbright in February.
It also follows the approval of A&O’s merger with fellow BigLaw practice Shearman & Sterling in October, which was first announced back in May.
Speaking about the hires, A&O partner Aaron Kenavan said: “Ravi and Dan are leading lawyers in their fields and have a wealth of experience and expertise in advising on cutting-edge technology matters.
“They will add significant value to our clients and strengthen our position as a go-to firm for technology, telco and IP transactions in Australia and across the APAC region.”
A&O Asia-Pacific corporate practice head Victor Ho added: “This is a fast-growing and dynamic sector in APAC, Ravi and Dan will strengthen our APAC technology transactions practice and deepens our ability to deliver a true end-to-end digital offering across the region and across the technology sector.”
The firm’s global co-head of technology, Daren Orzechowski, offered: “These hires further strengthen our top-tier tech practice, broadening and deepening our bench in key areas, including artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and software.
“We are looking forward to welcoming them into the global team.”
