Allens has appointed leading commercial lawyer Michael Park to its technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) practice.
The appointment bolsters the position of Allens' market-leading TMT team, the only team in Australia to be ranked band one in Chambers Asia Pacific 2017 for IT and Telecommunications as well as Media.
It is one of the region's most significant lateral hires in TMT in recent years.
An established, internationally recognised practitioner in technology, telecommunications, data privacy and infrastructure, Michael joins Allens from Norton Rose Fulbright, where he was Asia Pacific Technology Group Leader and Head of the Australian Privacy Practice.
Michael has more than 20 years' experience in TMT law, with particular expertise in major procurements and outsourcing, cyber advisory, and commercial and regulatory telecommunications matters.
'We are delighted to welcome Michael Park to Allens and to our TMT team,' said Gavin Smith, Partner and Head of TMT at Allens.
'By building our expertise in this area, we're not only increasing our market leading position, but also moving in step with our clients, for whom technology is an increasingly critical area in all aspects of their businesses.
'We look forward to working with Michael as we continue to grow our TMT practice.
'Our clients increasingly require complex technology and data advice across all aspects of their businesses, from back-end system change to the use of technology and data to transform interaction with customers.
'Michael's hire will help us to meet that ever-growing demand,' Gavin said.
Along with its clients, Allens is also extending its use of technology to develop new ways of working and delivering services to clients. The firm's a+ team, a multidisciplinary group of technical, legal and project management professionals, works with lawyers and clients to deliver integrated technologies combined with low-cost document review solutions.
Allens is recognised as a leader in innovation, winning the Chilli IQ Lawtech Awards Legal IT Leader of the Year (Large Firm) 2016 and the Janders Dean & LexisNexis Legal Innovation Index Award 2016, and being named one of Australasian Lawyer's Innovative Firms of 2016.
Michael joins Allens on 1 May 2017.
Notes for editors.
Allens is a commercial law firm working throughout Australia and Asia. Through its integrated alliance with Linklaters it provides clients access to 40 offices in 28 countries around the world.