Belyndy Rowe

I am a Senior Associate in our Technology and Communications Group in Sydney.

My current practice focuses on data protection, technology, media, and commercial contracting. I advise clients who use data and technology to drive their businesses. The best part of my role is having the opportunity to advise and engage in industries that must constantly innovate as technology evolves and legal reforms are introduced.

I provide commercial legal advice for leading businesses in the advertising, travel and leisure, conservation, and media industries. Some recent highlights of my work have included advising media companies and broadcasters on the use of data to build audience profiles and target content, agtech start-ups on the legal regulation of drone technology used for planting, hospitality and accommodation industry disruptors on the use of data to drive their businesses, and health care providers on the commercialisation of their IP and use of health information to improve demographic-based health outcomes.

Identifying and managing legal risks in contracts and operations is a major part of my current and past roles. I have experience reviewing, drafting, and negotiating a range of commercial agreements, advising on managing and commercialising intellectual property assets, and negotiating major commercial transactions. I advise on large technology deals, consumer law matters, the specifics of ad tech, data breach response, and data as a business asset.

I provide clients with responsive advice that is practical, offers avenues to achieve their objectives, and is proportionate to the organisation's risk tolerance. Where appropriate, I offer my clients alternatives to formal written legal advice, for example by providing data maps, risk-based analysis and frameworks for decision making.

Prior to joining Bird & Bird, I have practiced in a leading boutique media and data law firm, advised Australian Government and private sector clients in procurement and contracting, advocated for leading UK visual artists in complex copyright issues, and represented traditional owners in native title applications.

I have a degree in history and have published on topics including cultural heritage, anti-war movements, archaeological finds, and the social history of theatres. I began my working life as a museum curator, where the legal challenges of digitisation and artefact repatriation sparked my interest in law.

I stay informed about tech, media and communications developments through my role as vice Chair of the Young Lawyers Committee of the Communications and Media Law Association (CAMLA). I'm a regular contributor to the Communications Law Bulletin and co-host of the CAMLA Podcast.