Laura Littlewood

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.

Chambers Asia Pacific 2023 ranks Laura as a leading lawyer for technology, media and telecommunications.

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024 ranks Laura as a leading individual for data protection and TMT 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."​

Air New Zealand digital strategy
Advising Air New Zealand on its internationally acclaimed digital strategy and AIRPOINTS loyalty programme.

ONECARD loyalty programme
Advising Progressive Enterprises on ONECARD, New Zealand's largest loyalty programme, including data governance.

Macpac
Advised Macpac on the acquisition by Australian private equity fund, CHAMP Ventures.

EFTPOS New Zealand acquisition
Advised Verifone global payments business on its expansion into the New Zealand market through the acquisition of EFTPOS New Zealand and Sektor Payments.

Fiskars acquisition
Advised Fiskars, global supplier of consumer products, on the New Zealand aspects of its acquisition of a portfolio of iconic luxury brands, including Waterford crystal, Wedgewood, Royal Albert and Royal Doulton.

Vodafone
Advising Vodafone on a broad range of ongoing corporate, technology and commercial matters. Recent advice includes advising on the launch of the All Blacks "STADIUM LIVE" app (powered by Vodafone), NZRU Sponsorship Agreement for the All Blacks and Lions Series and advising on direct marketing and privacy and GDPR matters.

Oculus, Airbnb, H&M, Apple and David Jones
Advising international retailers and consumer goods suppliers on entry into the New Zealand market and ongoing consumer, technology and privacy matters, including Oculus, Airbnb, H&M, Apple and David Jones.

Credit Simple and Clear Name websites
Advising Illion group (previously Dun & Bradstreet) on the recent launch of its first-to-market Credit Simple and Clear Name credit reporting and debt collection platforms, as well as the launch of a data analytics marketing company.

Cyber security advice
Advised on a range of cyber security compliance and response management issues, including an international retailer on a major consumer information hacking incident.