Simon Burns

Biography

Simon is a partner in our Technology and Digital group.

He is a pragmatic and clear thinking partner in our Technology and Digital group and is trusted by both public and private sector clients with their most important tech, data and digital transactions.

Simon’s practice includes advising on all aspects of novel tech and data transactions and strategic technology implementations, with deep experience across financial services and payment systems, core systems replacements, digital identity, data commercialisation and infratech.

More particularly, Simon’s speciality is cutting edge emerging technology transactions, where deep understanding of the underlying technology and commercial model allows him to expertly navigate associated legal issues and complex or evolving regulatory environments.

Simon is also a market leader in AI regulation and governance and is at the forefront of thinking in this space.

Simon is on the Advisory Board of the Human Technology Institute and a member of the Expert Reference Group for their Future of AI Regulation program.

Simon is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ Governance of Innovation and Technology Panel.

Experience

Simon’s experience includes advising:

  • Westpac on many of its strategic IT, data and telecoms projects, including enterprise licences, AI implementations, cyber, infrastructure outsourcing, BPO arrangements, application services panels and payment systems.

  • ConnectID and Australian Payments Plus on the establishment of a novel national digital identity exchange and associated participation rules.

  • ASX on the replacement of the clearing and settlement system (CHESS) that underpins the Australian Stock Exchange – one of the most critical core systems projects in Australia.

  • Australian Payments Plus on the harmonisation of its payment scheme rules for BPAY Group, eftpos and NPP Australia.

  • A leading global insurer in relation to its global IT infrastructure and application services outsourcing arrangements.

  • DataX in relation to its data analytics and insights business.

  • Transport for NSW on its Opal electric ticketing system.

  • Qantas in relation to its IT infrastructure and application services outsourcing arrangements, and also its telecommunications and SD-WAN arrangements.

  • Transport for NSW on its transformation of legacy signalling and train control systems with advanced, integrated digital rail signalling and traffic management systems.

  • Transport for NSW on the tender and procurement of the bus services in NSW, including consideration of rollout of battery electric buses, smart charging solutions and EV charging lease arrangements.

  • A number of clients in respect of data breaches and associated responses, mitigation actions, notifications to impacted individuals and OAIC and responding to compensation claims.

  • A number of clients in relation to AI policies and assurance activities.

Awards and Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in Australia 2025

    Commercial Law, Information Technology Law, Outsourcing Law, Privacy and Data Security Law and Telecommunications Law

  • Chambers Asia-Pacific 2024 - 2025

    Ranked for TMT: Information Technology and also Fintech

  • The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024

    Next Generation Partner for IT and telecoms