Libby Conole

Senior Associate

Libby has a broad range of local and international experience across a wide spectrum of commercial, technology, data privacy and media matters.

Experienced in both advisory and transactional work, Libby enjoys a diverse and interesting client base and can turn a hand to all manner of varied and unusual work that comes across her desk. She has advised government clients on technology aspects of major infrastructure projects, startups on commercialising their unique offerings, international retailers on multi-national delivery logistics, and given data privacy compliance advice to clients from major sports events to pension funds, to bricks and mortar retail villages.

Libby has a particular focus on technology and outsourcing, with experience in business process outsourcing, vendor consolidation projects, and a broad range of technology-related transactions. She has experience both advising technology businesses on commercial matters, and non-technology businesses on their technology needs.

She has top-tier international experience and returned to New Zealand in 2022 from London, where she spent five years in a senior role in the highly ranked Technology and Media team at CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP. Libby also spent a year working as in-house counsel at Modern Times Group (now Viaplay Group), a Scandinavian-based media and broadcasting company. During her time abroad, Libby worked primarily with clients in the retail, financial services and consumer products sectors and played a key role in several complex and large-scale technology transactions.

Clients appreciate Libby’s approachable and pragmatic style, particularly when faced with complex and demanding projects. Libby is highly regarded for her ability to drive projects forward and achieve great outcomes on tight deadlines. She can be relied upon to bring a calm and collegiate atmosphere to highly pressured situations.

Career highlights

Advising the Department of Internal Affairs on the implementation of technology aspects of the reform of water infrastructure in New Zealand, including lead involvement in complex, multiple-vendor RFP and negotiation process.

Advising Soul Machines, a locally grown, global leader in the humanization of artificial intelligence, on commercial negotiations and relationships across its customer base.

Advising Marks & Spencer on the appointment of Tata Consultancy Services as its principal technology partner, in a market-leading transaction involving the full-scale adoption of agile software development methodologies and the implementation of a new commercial model for M&S’s technology function.

Trusted advisor to a FTSE 100 FMCG giant on several business process outsourcings for application support and development, including multi-vendor consolidations.

Assisting a global e-commerce platform on strategic and innovative solutions for its logistics and transportation arrangements across Europe.

Advising a European private equity fund manager on commercialising a proprietary funds management platform and international data transfers.

Achievements and recognition
  • Tier 1 team, Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT), The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific