Bio

Laura Littlewood is a corporate and commercial partner. She has a broad practice which covers corporate transactions, as well as specialist advice on technology, data, cyber security, consumer law and e-commerce. Laura has a passion for assisting clients with their digital strategies and engagement with the latest technologies to respond to disruptive changes. She has a particular interest in data and digital innovation in the consumer and retail sectors. A skilled negotiator, Laura has a reputation for driving commercial outcomes and providing pragmatic and sound legal advice. She has a strong focus on building long-term relationships with her clients. Her recent experience includes advising New Zealand and international clients on business-critical technology, data and e-commerce projects. This includes advising on several market leading consumer loyalty programmes, as well as advising on data and digital strategies, cyber security compliance and regulatory issues for new products and new entrants to the New Zealand market. She advises a range of the recent high-profile new entrants to the New Zealand retail market. Laura also regularly advises on a wide range of technology contracts. Laura brings her knowledge and expertise in these areas to bear when advising on mergers and acquisitions and joint venture arrangements. She and her team advise Bell Gully's key clients on a range of commercial and governance matters relating to the day-to-day operations of their business. That has resulted in close working relationships with many in-house legal teams, building on experience advising dynamic in-house legal teams on secondments to Vodafone and Virgin. Laura's commercial practice also covers advice on franchising structures and agreements. Laura has a broad range of New Zealand and international experience. She began her legal career in New Zealand before moving to London, where she worked at leading London firm Macfarlanes. Prior to joining Bell Gully, Laura was an attorney in Bermuda. Laura's experience includes extended secondments to Vodafone, to a global consumer goods franchisor and to Virgin Management. An expert in her field, Laura regularly presents seminars and contributes to articles on privacy, cyber security, consumer law and corporate governance. The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2021 recommend Laura as a leading TMT lawyer in New Zealand. One client described Laura's local and international knowledge and expertise across corporate, technology, data and privacy as "invaluable" for their business and that "she is a pleasure to deal with". Furthermore, they noted that "she is skilled in providing commercial, practical outcomes and advice, particularly in relation to digital strategies, innovations and disruptive technologies." Laura was also recognised for privacy and data security law in Best Lawyers 2022. Laura leads Bell Gully's Auckland technology and commercial team. The team has been described as: "A very commercial team that understands our business well and can balance risk and opportunity. The team are really flexible in terms of how they engage with our business, and are able to flex approach and resourcing to meet our needs. Because they understand our business and context, they can give solid and fast advice that aligns with what we need."​