About David Rountree
David is a technology and data specialist in our Brisbane office, with extensive experience across data- and technology-driven commercial transactions and regulation.
He advises on all aspects of privacy and data, cybersecurity preparedness and response, and critical infrastructure regulation, as well as major technology-driven transactions spanning procurement, digital infrastructure and M&A separations.
David also has experience across digital asset regulatory and co-leads the firm's digital asset workstreams. He has particular expertise in the automotive sector, and the integration of technology into connected services and vehicles.
He was named a 'Next Generation Partner' for Data Protection in Legal 500 in 2025.
David's recent key matters include advising:
Major tech procurement /commercial
- BYD Australia on all aspects of its Australian vehicle distribution, data, compliance and data sharing arrangements
- Australian Retirement Trust on arrangements with systems integrators in connection with a large-scale digital transformation project
- CleanCo Queensland on its whole-of-business outsourced managed IT services
- Stadiums Queensland on its commercial and technology arrangements across multiple stadiums/venues
- Westpac on establishing its ‘banking as a service’ white label banking product and procurement of core banking platform.
- Transport for New South Wales on its major technology outsourcing.
Privacy/data/AI/digital economy regulation
- a global AI model provider on cyber security issues and compliance
- a major listed childcare education group on privacy and surveillance law issues
- Toyota Finance Australia on its Consumer Data Right (CDR) compliance and arrangements with outsourced CDR providers
- Reserve Bank of Australia on the implementation of its wholesale and retail digital currency trials
- ASX Limited on the design and implementation of a data sharing and commercialisation platform and business unit
- Wesfarmers, KFC, ASX on the design and implementation of their data governance arrangements
- data retention projects including a global automative supplier and listed education businesses.
Cybersecurity/critical infrastructure
- a global automotive business on all aspects of a major cyber breach, including regulatory and agency engagement, data assessment and notification, and strategic advice
- a major state government department on its response to a high-profile data breach
- a global technology company on all aspects of a high-profile, sophisticated cyber attack that affected over 100 million users globally
- a highly regulated global, Australian-based, technology company on a series of cyber events
- cyber preparedness across a wide range of businesses, including multiple APRA-regulated institutions (eg super funds and banks), digital infrastructure businesses, security of critical infrastructure (SOCI)-regulated assets, and retail and consumer businesses
- a broad range of critical infrastructure assets on SOCI compliance, including across water assets, electricity generation and distribution assets, ports, critical freight and transportation, and data centre assets.
Digital infrastructure/telecommunications
- the Queensland Government on the Government Wireless Network (GWN), a state-wide radio communications network for public safety agencies, provided by Telstra and Motorola as a managed service
- QIC and Titles Queensland on the transfer of the Queensland land titles registry business into the Queensland Future Fund
- on the privitisation of the NSW land titles concession including on separation, transition and technology transformation
- SWIFT on the design, build and delivery of the New Payment Platform technology infrastructure for a consortium of major banks and financial institutions
- Sympli Australia on becoming a regulated electronic conveyancing operator, including on all stakeholder engagements with land registries, payments systems and regulators.
Complex separation and carveouts
- RACQ on the technology and data aspects of the sale of its banking business to Bendigo Bank
- Brookfield on the transition and separation aspects of its proposed acquisition of Origin Energy
- Westpac on its divestiture and successor fund transfer of BT Superannuation funds, and Advance Asset Management to Mercer Australia; and in connection with the proposed sale of its wealth management business, including transition and separation issues, and data segregation
- CBA on the technology, data and separation aspects of the sale of a general insurance business to Hollard, and ongoing data-driven commercial partnership arrangements.