Shane Barber

In addition to my role as the Managing Partner of our Australian operations, I'm a corporate, communications and media lawyer looking after innovative clients operating both regionally and internationally. At Bird & Bird in Australia, we conduct a busy corporate firm focussed on the key industry sectors we serve globally.

With over 30 years' experience acting for some of Australia's major corporations in the knowledge economy, I am a key adviser to one of the country's four leading telecommunications carriers, along with numerous carriage service providers and technology suppliers and customers. Over the years, I have also advised many media, communications and technology industry groups around the world, including in South Africa, Israel and New Zealand, on complex issues such as telecommunications interception, data storage and convergence. Increasingly, I am advising clients on regulatory issues arising in relation to emerging technology applications, including payments and Fintech.

Today I'm also one of the region's network rollout legal and regulatory specialists and advise on two of the most significant telecommunications network rollout projects in Australia - including acting for Vodafone in its joint venture with Optus.

A significant part of my practice is conducting corporate transactions regarding mergers and acquisitions, fundraising (including IPOs), capital markets regulation and providing corporate law advice for leading national and international organisations immersed in the new economy, particularly for enterprises in the advertising, travel and leisure and media industries.

Before joining Bird & Bird, in addition to my role as a partner with another global law firm, I was Corporate Counsel to the Optus Group. I've served as President of Australia's Communications and Media Law Association on two occasions and am a former editor of the Communications Law Bulletin. You'll find more about me in Who's Who Legal, Best Lawyers, Chambers Asia Pacific, Doyle's Guide to the Legal Profession and Asia Pacific Legal 500.

• Advising Australia's National Broadband Network on the regulatory and documentary requirements for the rollout of the mobile and satellite components of its network.
• Providing regulatory advice to Vodafone regarding the rollout of its mobile networks in Australia, including in relation to statutory powers and immunities.
• Acting for Experience Co Ltd on its listing on the Australian Securities Exchange, its subsequent regulated capital raisings, and in relation to the acquisition of numerous companies and assets across Australia and New Zealand as it seeks to build one of the world's largest adrenalin sports businesses.
• Acting for Canadian listed Kew Media in the acquisition of a portfolio of Australian and US based television production assets.
• Acting for a leading German bank on the acquisition of merchant acquiring and card issuing businesses in Australia; providing all associated corporate and finance regulatory advice.