Sparke Helmore has strengthened its corporate and commercial technology practice with the appointment of Hamish Fraser and Jason Kwan as partners.
This move aligns with the firm’s strategy to bolster its capabilities in the technology, media, and telecommunications sectors.
The appointments come at a time when the intersection of technology and professional services, including insurance, is increasingly influenced by digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI).
Fraser, who joins from Bird & Bird in Sydney, has more than 30 years of experience in legal practice, advising clients across the information technology and communications industries. His expertise spans privacy, cyber risk, IT procurement, cloud computing, and digital business models, among other areas.
Kwan, based in Melbourne and previously with King & Wood Mallesons, specialises in IT procurement, data protection, telecommunications, and information security.
Fraser and Kwan both spoke positively about joining Sparke Helmore.
Fraser pointed to the firm’s culture and commitment to client service, stating that these factors would help him assist clients in navigating the legal complexities of technology adoption and cyber resilience during a period of significant change.
“This move will provide me the platform to add tremendous value to clients, especially in such a crucial time of reform and adjustment to a new normal where every organisation will be challenged to get the right balance between the adoption of new technology and the need for operational and cyber resilience,” he said.
Kwan highlighted Sparke Helmore’s collaborative environment and focus on growth in the technology sector, noting that it would provide him with a strong platform to serve his clients more effectively.
“Joining Sparke Helmore allows me to build on my strong relationships in the industry to provide top tier service and expertise to my clients at an attractive price point and to add greater depth to the firm’s growing corporate & commercial team,” he said.
Julien Castaldi, national practice group leader for corporate & commercial at Sparke Helmore, commented that the firm is focused on expanding its presence in the technology sector – and the addition of Fraser and Kwan allows the firm to enhance its support for clients facing the legal and regulatory challenges of digital transformation.
“As a firm, we have ambitious growth plans in the private sector technology space, and bringing on board two partners of the calibre of Hamish and Jason means that we are able to provide exceptional support to our clients across technology, media, telecommunications, and digital law,” he said.
The appointments come at a time of growing interest in the role of technology in professional services, including the insurance industry.
A recent global survey by UserTesting – which gathered responses from 4,000 adults across Australia, the US, and the UK – explored how AI could impact the insurance sector.
Despite a strong preference for human advice – with 88% of respondents saying they would rather receive insurance guidance from a person – the potential for AI to simplify processes was also noted.
In Australia, 25% of survey participants believed AI could help clarify complex insurance information, while 45% said AI could play a useful role in comparing insurance plans. The survey also highlighted ongoing challenges consumers face with insurance enrolment and provider selection, illustrating a broader frustration with the industry’s complexity.
These insights underscore the need for both human expertise and technological tools to improve the customer experience.
