National firm adds two new partners in Sydney and Melbourne
Sparke Helmore has announced the appointments of Hamish Fraser and Jason Kwan as partners in Sydney and Melbourne, respectively. These two senior lawyers will lead the national firm’s technology practice in its corporate and commercial team.
Fraser, who joins from Bird & Bird, has over three decades of experience of assisting clients with commercial issues and regulatory matters across the information technology and communication industries, according to the firm’s media release.
He offers advice to clients relating to the swiftly evolving privacy and cyber risk environment and relating to issues in connection with the digital business model, software, cloud, distribution, confidentiality, e-commerce, security, IT procurement, and outsourcing.
Kwan, who comes from King & Wood Mallesons (KWM), is experienced with advising clients in the information technology space. He focuses on information technology procurement, data, privacy, digital infrastructure, telecommunications, and information security issues.
He has assisted clients with privacy, information, security, and data issues relating to the implementation of large-scale digital transformation projects, according to his bio on the firm’s website. He strives to manage and mitigate legal and regulatory risk when attaining commercial outcomes for his clients.
Firm’s technology offering
Julien Castaldi, national leader for Sparke Helmore’s corporate and commercial practice group, welcomed the two new partners to the team.
“As a firm, we have ambitious growth plans in the private sector technology space and bringing on board two partners of the calibre of Hamish and Jason means that we are able to provide exceptional support to our clients across technology, media, telecommunications and digital law,” Castaldi said in Sparke Helmore’s media release.
“I saw remarkable synergies between my practice and the way in which Sparke Helmore operates—the culture, values and the nimbleness as well as the shared commitment to exceptional client service and the wellbeing of staff,” Fraser said in the media release.
“Likewise, it was important for me to join a firm known for its culture of collaboration and collegiality, and one with a clearly defined strategy for growth and success in the technology space,” Kwan said in the media release.
“This move will provide me the platform to add tremendous value to clients, especially in such a crucial time of reform and adjustment to a new normal where every organisation will be challenged to get the right balance between the adoption of new technology and the need for operational and cyber resilience,” Fraser also said.
“Joining Sparke Helmore allows me to build on my strong relationships in the industry, to provide top tier service and expertise to my clients at an attractive price point and to add greater depth to the firm’s growing Corporate & Commercial team,” Kwan added.