Bird & Bird appoints tech & data expert Nick O’Connell as partner

Bird & Bird grows its Tech & Comms group with the arrival of tech and data expert Nick O’Connell. O’Connell will support the firm’s technology clients on their business needs across the Middle East.

Described in Chambers & Partners as “the best Saudi-based lawyer for IT matters”, O’Connell has unrivalled experience in building and managing a successful regional technology, media and telecommunications practice.

With over 15 years’ experience in the region, he has diverse experience advising international and local clients on a variety of matters, ranging from transactional contracting work through to regulatory advisory in the broader technology, media and telecommunications space. O’Connell’s practice also includes supporting clients on significant ongoing advisory projects, including major tech investments in the region.

The depth and breadth of O’Connell’s expertise will further contribute to Bird & Bird’s strategic ambitions: to be the leading international technology law firm in the Gulf.

Anders Nilsson, head of Bird & Bird in the UAE, said, “We are building strong momentum with our presence in the Middle East. Now with Nick on board, we have one of the region’s most highly regarded data specialists with an equally strong reputation in technology and communications. Nick’s extensive expertise advising clients on a wide range of complex matters, combined with his strong connections in the tech industry, make him a great asset to the firm and will significantly build our expertise in the data and tech regulatory space in the Middle East.”

Marjolein Geus (chair), Fabian Niemann, Ted Chwu, Ronald Hendrikx, co-heads of the Tech and Comms group at Bird & Bird, added, “We are pleased to have Nick join our international Tech & Comms group, a renowned data and tech specialist in the Middle East who we have enjoyed working with for many years on a wide variety of innovative projects. Our Tech & Comms team is highly regarded globally for supporting our clients as they deploy new technologies and navigate new regulations. Nick’s arrival will significantly bolster our specialist capabilities in the Middle East and will play a key role as we continue to grow in the region to support our global clients.”

O’Connell added, “I’m very excited to be joining Bird & Bird. I’ve always enjoyed working with the team previously across a variety of different transactional and regulatory advisory matters. I’m looking forward to working with my new colleagues, both locally and across the firm internationally, to support our clients with their business needs in the Middle East.”