James Patto

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Data Privacy Law; Cyberlaw; AI; Digital Transformation

AWARDS

LinkedIn Top Voice (Cyber, Privacy, AI)

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Laws – Monash University
• Bachelor of Commerce – Monash University
• Admitted to practice in Victoria

SELECTED REPRESENTATIONS

• Assisted various clients in managing all aspects of cyber security incidents, including advising on regulatory obligations across multiple jurisdictions, assessing and managing contractual impacts (such as cyber insurance coverage and third-party liabilities), conducting forensic and legal analysis of affected systems and data, and coordinating legal counsel in various jurisdictions to ensure a cohesive response.
• Supported various clients in understanding and complying with the Security of Critical Infrastructure regime, conducting enterprise-wide compliance audits to assess the impact of the new requirements, facilitating workshops with key stakeholders to identify critical assets, cataloguing obligations based on organisational roles, and developing strategic roadmaps to guide compliance efforts.
• Assisting a critical infrastructure asset owner in mapping its regulatory obligations under the reformed Security of Critical Infrastructure (SOCI) Act, identifying compliance requirements, and assessing their impact on operational and contractual frameworks. This includes advising on the renegotiation of core outsourcing contracts to ensure alignment with new security and governance obligations, mitigating regulatory risks, and strengthening resilience in supplier arrangements.
• Advised various clients on privacy and cyber security risks in procurement and product development, performing risk assessments on active projects, identifying key vulnerabilities, and providing recommendations to mitigate risks. This included carrying out Privacy Impact Assessments to evaluate the handling of personal information and ensuring compliance with domestic and international privacy regulations.
• Led privacy and cyber security maturity assessments for clients across various sectors, evaluating compliance with Australian and international privacy, cyber and data security laws. Provided strategic recommendations to address gaps, enhance governance frameworks, and implement best practices to improve overall regulatory maturity.
• Advised a global financial services company on privacy, intellectual property, and regulatory issues relating to the development and use of AI-driven big data models and algorithms for assessing creditworthiness.
• Advised the GSBN consortium on the creation of the Global Shipping Business Network, a blockchain-enabled platform for global trade, including drafting and negotiating complex intellectual property licensing and data-sharing agreements to govern collaboration between multiple global shipping companies.
• Represented a major Australian resources client in negotiations with a large US organisation for the development of an automated driving system designed for trucks and heavy machinery in mining operations.
• Assisted various clients in developing and implementing AI governance frameworks, including policies for the use, development, and procurement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI technologies. Advised on regulatory compliance, ethical AI principles, risk management strategies, and responsible AI deployment to ensure alignment with legal obligations and industry best practices.
• Assisted National Australia Bank with an enterprise-wide renegotiation of its contractual arrangements with a major US software provider. This involved reviewing, analysing, and cataloguing all existing agreements, identifying opportunities for optimisation, and negotiating new contractual terms to enhance commercial and operational outcomes.
• Advised a diverse range of clients, including Australian government departments, the Government of Tuvalu, Toll, Cathay Pacific, Fung Group, CPA Australia, Powercor, Medibank, and SEEK, on major outsourcing and system procurement arrangements. This included negotiating complex agreements with leading technology vendors such as GoDaddy, Salesforce, IBM, DXC, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP, Cisco, Infosys, Accenture, Dimension Data, Wipro, TCS, and Deloitte, ensuring favourable terms, risk mitigation, and alignment with regulatory and operational requirements.