Abbey James

Senior Associate

Abbey is an experienced technology lawyer specialising in advising and negotiating complex commercial contracts and managing technology transactions and strategic carve outs.

Abbey has worked on a broad range of commercial transactions with a particular focus on technology, outsourcing and business separations. Her clients range from innovative tech start-ups and founder-led businesses to blue chip companies and multinational corporates both in New Zealand and overseas.

She brings extensive experience advising clients across a wide range of industries, combining a deep understanding of commercial and technical challenges with a practical, solutions focused approach. Known for her collaborative style, she excels at bridging the gap between legal and technical considerations, quickly building strong working relationships that enable efficient, successful outcomes.

Prior to joining Minter Ellison Rudd Watts, Abbey worked in the technology and commercial team at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner in London, where she advised clients (from fast growth start-ups to FTSE 100 organisations) on a broad range of commercial contracts, including complex services agreements, strategic partnership and concession agreements, sponsorship and advertising arrangements as well as assisting (and in some cases leading) on strategic carve outs and outsourcing transactions concentrated in the technology, retail, finance, transport, sports and real estate sectors. She also gained valuable in-house experience in the legal team at a global marketing agency in London.

Career highlights

Assisted with the negotiation and drafting of agreement for the Warehouse Group’s IT transformation project with TCS. This arrangement was critical for the Warehouse in terms of achieving costs savings and for driving its efficiency strategy.

Assisted with the negotiation and drafting of the transitional service arrangements for Synlait’s sale of its North Island business to global healthcare leader Abbott (valued at approximately NZD307 million (USD178 million)). Given the complexities of the milking operations at the North Island plant and the integrated nature of the IT/technology infrastructure, this agreement was an essential element of the sale as Abbott is heavily reliant on Synlait’s knowledge and support to continue to operate the business during the transitional services period.

Advised on BT group’s strategic digital and IT transformation project worth £1B. This was one of the largest IT outsourcing deals in 2022 to migrate the BT Group from its existing technology estate to a new state of the art digital infrastructure.

Lead lawyer on the negotiation of one of the largest multinational FMCG businesses on the terms of the managed service agreement with a total contract value of EUR 150M. Other highlights of this deal include implementing local service agreements across 24 markets (with emphasis on tax and employment law considerations) and drafting and agreeing terms for the e-commerce offering.

Advised and negotiated a complex and strategic commercial agreement for one of the UK’s leading budget airlines commercial arrangements with Gatwick Airport including advise and alignment with Gatwick Airport’s Conditions of Use which include the airport charges, price and service commitments by Gatwick Airport.

Lead lawyer on negotiations with a large multinational fashion retailer on the terms of the master service agreement and automation technology services licence for provision of Oliver’s services in 18 markets. This deal required parallel negotiation with five automation and technology suppliers whose services/infrastructure were being integrated with the SaaS tool as well the establishment of new trading entities in 2 markets.