Jonathon Ellis

I am an experienced litigation and investigations lawyer based in Sydney, leading Bird & Bird's Australian disputes and investigations practice and co-leading our global Defence and Security practice.

I have particular experience in working with large Australian and international clients on resolving complex disputes, advising on regulatory compliance including securities, sanctions and gambling laws, responding to cyber incidents (including commercial aspects of data breaches) and conducting internal investigations.

As co-lead of Bird & Bird Defence and Security sector practice, personally advising primes and defence industry on the complex regulatory issues they face, and how to resolve disputes, I love bringing together global teams to assist defence industry in all aspects of their operations.

Recently I have been working with global businesses operating in Australia to respond to the evolving threats of cyber incidents including defending claims by customers or other third parties and leading engagement with regulatory agencies including the OAIC and ASIC.

Ranked as 'Rising Star' for Dispute Resolution (Legal 500), I have also been noted as a financial services disputes and anti-bribery and corruption expert.

My prior experience includes advising clients on:

• commercial disputes across sectors including technology, defence, financial services and pharma;
• administration and interpretation of contracts and agreements;
• anti-bribery and corruption law issues;
• sanctions and export control issues; and
• responding to large regulatory investigations including corruption, financial services and data breach/cyber incident response.

As a gaming (computer) tragic, I also love working with clients on esports and gambling-related regulatory matters (across sectors).

In my spare time, I serve as a board member for a charity that raises funds for local community groups, helping them secure the necessary resources to continue their vital programs.

• Acting for major technology companies in responding to high profile cyber incidents including litigation and regulatory investigations
• Acting for an international defence contractor on disputes with third-party vendors.
• Advising defence contractors on Australia's export control and AUKUS related laws.
• Advising on shareholder disputes including prosecuting urgent proceedings in superior courts to protect client interests.
• Conducting a review of a "Big 4' regulated financial services company as part of a response to a regulatory investigation.
• Acting for various global technology companies in Australia including on interpretation of contracts, disputes arising with customers and vendors.
• Advising global companies on disputes arising under distribution agreements covering Australia.
• Acting in proceedings relating to payment processing under credit card schemes for a major financial services business and advising on payments issues.
• Acting for a global automotive sector client in disputes in Australia including a complex Supreme Court action and advising it generally on its Australian operations.
• Acting on Corporations Act matters including schemes of arrangements, securities law issues and white-collar crime.
• Advising on response to cyber incident matters including engagement with law enforcement, privacy regulators and third parties with adverse positions.
• Acting for companies in responding to requests for information from regulators including documents and witness interviews under compulsion.
• Responding to complex investigations by regulators in various jurisdictions including a significant and high-profile dawn raid.
• Advising multi-national companies on anti-bribery and corruption issues, procedures and providing training.
• Advising on sanctions and defence export control matters.