Lauren specialises in the intersection between law and technology. She has significant experience advising clients in relation to telecommunications, privacy, data governance, cybersecurity and emerging technologies (including artificial intelligence, digital ID and low earth orbit satellites). She regularly advises on complex corporate IT transactions, including general procurement and outsourcing. She works across various industries, including healthcare, banking, energy, space and telecommunications.
Prior to joining Mallesons, Lauren worked as an Associate at the High Court of Australia. Lauren has also worked at the Digital Economy team at the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) in Paris, advising governments on data and privacy policy. She has a Master of Laws from New York University, where she specialised in the regulation of technology.
Relevant experience
- Telecommunications (Space): Lauren assists a global telecommunications company with country entry strategies and licensing requirements to establish and operate a low earth orbit satellite system. As the project matures, she is assisting with commercial contracting strategy and negotiations.
- Telecommunications: Lauren assisted on the separation of Telstra’s towers business into Amplitel, and the $2.8 billion sale of a 49% interest in Amplitel. Lauren went on a 14-month secondment to Telstra and Amplitel to support this transaction.
- Complex procurement & IT outsourcing: Lauren regularly acts for Australia Post in relation to a wide variety of procurements, including logistics (linehaul and international air freight), goods and strategic technology services. Lauren separately assisted Telstra in negotiations with eHealth NSW to provide services to NSW hospitals as part of the Health Grade Enterprise Network and Health Wide Area Network. She also acted for icare and the Workers Compensation Nominal Insurer on its project to appoint a panel of claims service providers to manage workers compensation claims insured under the NSW Workers Compensation Scheme.
- Privacy & data governance: Lauren regularly advises on how to maximise the value of data held by corporates while maintaining compliance with state and federal privacy law. She regularly drafts and negotiates commercial contracts that involve the handling of sensitive information, data sharing, offshoring and complex data assets, and conducts privacy impact assessments for strategic data-driven projects.
- Cyber security: Lauren has advised various clients, including an ASX healthcare insurer and international technology company, on data breaches and cyber incident response, including engagement with regulators.
- Artificial intelligence: Lauren has delivered AI training to more than 30 in-house legal and commercial teams, including Westpac, NAB, Woolworths, Medibank, IAG and REA Group. She regularly advises various corporates and government on how to establish effective AI governance, including reviewing AI policies, governance frameworks, and conducting AI impact assessments.
- Digital ID: Lauren advises corporates as to how they can position themselves to play a key role in the Australian Government Digital ID System (AGDIS), including designing systems to comply with the Digital ID accreditation requirements and receive approval to participate in the AGDIS.
