James practises in the converging fields of telecommunications, media and technology. His expertise encompasses strategic commercial transactions, including joint-ventures, acquisitions, outsourcing, and product rollouts, as well as disputes in the TMT sector.
James is a key adviser to major critical infrastructure operators and Australian telecommunications carriers, helping them navigate the complex and rapidly-changing TMT landscape. He also advises some of the world’s most innovative and best known e-commerce, media and online brands.
James is well versed on emerging issues in the sector and has extensive experience advising on information security, cyber security and data protection.
James is a market leader in the technology, media and telecommunications sectors. He is recognised as a Leading Individual in Media by the Legal 500 directory for 2023 and is only one of three people ranked Band 1 for Telecoms in the Chambers directory for 2023. He was named Technology Partner of the Year in 2022 and 2021 and Telecommunications and Media Partner of the Year in 2020 by Lawyers Weekly.
Key deals
CBS Studios Inc
Advised on CBS’s high-profile acquisition of Ten Network Holdings and subsequent launch of Ten All Access video streaming service.
nbn
Adviser to nbn since its inception, including on the establishment of its IT systems, acquisition of the TransACT fibre network, facilities access agreements with electricity utilities nationally and copper sub-loop network maintenance arrangements with Telstra.
Amazon Inc
Advised on the establishment of Amazon Web Services data centre operations in Australia and on the launch of Amazon Kindle and Amazon Music products in Australia.
Tencent
Advised on legal and regulatory issues relevant to Tencent’s computer games business in Australia.
Vodafone
Advised on the merger with Hutchison '3', the network sharing joint venture with Optus, acquisition of Crazy Johns and Lebara Mobile resellers, its 3G and 4G mobile network infrastructure rollouts and on spectrum acquisition and regulation.
MIT
Advised the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on a technology project involving the installation and operation of a satellite surveillance telescope in conjunction with the US Air Force and the Australian Defence Force.