Businesses in the gambling, sports and media industries face into complex and risky decisions every day. Lachlan is an expert advisor and problem solver for these businesses across operational, intellectual property and media rights matters to ensure they achieve the best commercial outcome in highly competitive markets.
Lachlan’s clients also lean on his advice to navigate complex regulatory issues and engagements, including those involving key Australian gambling, money-laundering, media/advertising and consumer regulators. Lachlan has significant experience supporting clients in commercial and intellectual property disputes in the Federal Court of Australia and state Supreme Courts.
Lachlan’s advice to his clients is always pragmatic and is given with a close eye on broader business strategy and objectives. This approach is Lachlan’s winning differentiator, and he brings a unique insight to his client’s problems with deep in-house counsel experience leading the legal team at a major Australian sporting code and the country’s largest online wagering operator.
advised and supported several major Australian online wagering operators on AUSTRAC appointed external audits of their AML/CTF processes and compliance under the AML/CTF Act and enforcement mitigation strategy. Also advised large club and hotel groups on designing and implementing their AML/CTF Programs in respect of the provision of gambling services (gaming machines) and navigating regulatory engagement with AUSTRAC.
managed litigation in the Federal Court of Australia and state Supreme Courts for several major Australian online wagering operators defending claims from high-value former customers alleging unconscionability and negligence.
advised online wagering operators on litigation and regulatory response to sensitive investigative proceedings with ACMA, ASIC, NTRWC, NSW Liquor & Gaming, the VGCCC and other state-based wagering regulators. Advised large club and hotel groups, gaming machine manufacturers and technology service providers in respect of the operation of gaming machines and compliance with state-based gaming machines laws. Advised clubs and hotels on the transfer of liquor licences and gaming machine entitlements including applicable forfeiture regimes.
advised and supported online wagering operators and major sporting codes on litigation and regulatory action to protect and enforce their intellectual property rights, including broadcast rights and trade mark portfolios. Significant experience advising other major clients in sports/racing and media industries in relation to protecting and exploiting their intellectual property rights against infringement including Seven West Media, Singtel Optus group, Telstra, National Rugby League and Nova.
advised several major Australian online wagering operators to negotiate and agree various multi-million-dollar media rights, streaming and sponsorship agreements with racing/major sporting code partners including Australian Football League, National Rugby League, Racing Victoria, Racing NSW, Greyhound Racing Victoria and Sky Racing. Advised major Australian sporting code on multiple billion-dollar television and broadcast rights arrangements for rugby league with Channel 9, Foxtel and domestic and international streaming partners.
prepared and negotiated critical commercial contracts for major Australian sporting codes and sponsors, including multi-million-dollar naming rights sponsorship agreements and venue-hire agreements for the staging of national entertainment events including the National Rugby League Grand Final and State of Origin as well as ENGIE Stadium.
regularly advised several clubs and players participating in the Australian Football League and National Rugby League competitions to challenge tribunal/judiciary decisions or gradings and appeals.
advised several major Australian online wagering operators on critical technology supply arrangements for betting platform/data requirements and cloud storage, including OpenBet Technologies, Amazon Web Services and Betmakers.
- Member, Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand (IPSANZ)
- Member, Australia and New Zealand Sports Law Association (ANZSLA)
- Master of Laws (High Distinction), University of Melbourne
- Bachelor of Laws, University of Notre Dame Australia
- Bachelor of Arts, University of Western Australia