Allens is helping clients unlock the immense unrealised power of data with the launch of an end-to-end data governance, data services and privacy practice.
Led by Partner and Sector Head of Technology, Media and Telecommunications Gavin Smith, the new practice will help clients make best use of their valuable data, exploiting the innumerable opportunities it offers while navigating the complexities of this continuously evolving area of law.
Coinciding with the launch of the new practice, Gavin was today announced as a founding board member of Data Governance Australia (DGA), an independent and peak data governance industry association which aims to establish new industry standards and benchmarks around the collection, use and management of data in Australia.
'Data is one of our economy's most powerful unrealised assets, and it will have a profound effect on how businesses and governments operate,' Gavin said.
'The effective commercialisation of data will see organisations innovate and transform. Using data in more dynamic ways can unlock great benefits as organisations learn more about their operations and clients.
'However, that has to happen within clear and carefully drawn boundaries to ensure legal compliance is always at the forefront. This prudence is at the forefront of both our new practice and Allens' foundation membership of DGA.'
The Allens data governance, data services and privacy practice specialises in all aspects of the data lifecycle, from creation, collection, storage, security and use to exchange and commercialisation.
It spans a wide array of legal fields including privacy, competition, corporate governance and securities law, intellectual property, financial services prudential standards, risk management and the reputational issues involved in data use. It also focuses on all commercial contracting needs for the data services sector, servicing in-house legal teams, chief data officers, CIOs and other C-Suite members as well as the boards of companies.
'Part of Allens' success as a firm is our passion for working together with clients to co-create solutions to their business challenges,' Gavin said.
'Until relatively recently, the management of data has been seen more in terms of compliance and legal challenges than for the benefits it could offer and the way lawyers can help unlock the value of data as an asset. It's now shaping up to be a major transformative factor in our clients' businesses. We have adapted and combined a multitude of different legal disciplines into our new practice to match our clients' needs.
'We're delighted to be navigating data governance best practice with our clients, and excited to be part of the new DGA initiative to help set the right course for data use in Australia.'
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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.