Lauren Hurcombe

Partner

Global Co-Chair of Technology & Sourcing Group

Lauren Hurcombe, a trusted legal adviser and partner with a clear understanding of what the customer needs now and in the future.

Client Comment, Legal 500 2024

Emaillauren.hurcombe@akd.partners

Call+852 2103 0814

Hong Kong

About

Lauren is an experienced technology, IT and commercial lawyer who specialises in advising multinational businesses on the negotiation of complex technology transactions, outsourcing and strategic commercial arrangements (including BPO, IT infrastructure implementation projects, cloud deployment, e-commerce platforms, supply/distribution arrangements and market expansion matters) – in particular for business in the technology sector or regulated industries.

She also has a particular expertise in the telecoms sector advising on both commercial and regulatory matters, including mobile network sharing arrangements to roll out new technologies and related telecoms/ technology infrastructure projects, as well as IT and telecoms licensing requirements across APAC.

Lauren is recognized by Legal 500 in the TMT Hong Kong Guide for 2023. Clients note that “Lauren Hurcombe showed deep knowledge in her specialised area. She also adapted her process to the client’s circumstances, which made her work very valuable and practical.”

Areas of FocusTechnology and Commercial Transactions Franchise Consumer Goods, Food and Retail Financial Services Technology Regulatory and Government Affairs Intellectual Property

Professional QualificationsAdmitted as a Solicitor with the Law Society of ScotlandSolicitor of the High Court of Hong Kong

EXPERIENCE

Advising an insurtech firm on the first-generation global business processing outsourcing of its APAC, EU and US middle and back-office functions, including, finance, accounting, HR and related information technology processes and functions (operations device protection, operations insurance exchange, operations digital insurance).
Advising Symbio on Direct-Inward-Dialing regulations, ability to provide UCaaS and associated network expansion matters (to build or purchase own network) across APAC.
Advising a major global mobile operator on a managed services outsource of its network infrastructure in Northern Asia. The dual vendor deal involved support in running parallel negotiations for separate service towers enabling the client to leverage preferred commercial positions across both deals.
Advising several international e-commerce and technology businesses on IT onshoring and associated alternate collaboration models (including advice on regulated licensing requirements and strategic operational issues) to support content delivery, service provision and hosting solutions in mainland China.
Advising OneConnect on a multi-party consortium bid by advising on commercial and legal issues arising from proposed collaboration with other consortium partners and subcontractors (which consist of IT infrastructure suppliers and a pensions administrator); preparing complex commercial agreements and tender responses for the bid submission; and participating in commercial negotiations with proposed consortium partners and subcontractors.
Advising a world-leading technology business on the first-generation business process outsourcing of its APAC, EU and Americas business including F&A, HR, supply chain and procurement (including IT infrastructure implementation) as part of a global transformation initiative, and the set-up of an associated co-located captive centre
Advising a leading APAC based international insurer on a business-critical software development, systems integration and cloud hosting project, involving regulated outsourcing and multiple vendors, including negotiations with SAP and SAS. This highly complex project was strategically and operationally important to meet changes imposed by the regulators in respect of IFRS17.
Advising Adobe on the sales engagement of its cloud-based digital marketing and data analytics solutions to a leading PRC telecommunications equipment manufacturer. We also advised on PRC Internet Content Provider (ICP) licensing and other valued added telecommunication services (“VATS”) issues in relation to its cloud-based offering and the pros and cons of a range of partnering models to support in-country and offshore operating models, connectivity issues, ICP domain recordal and ownership issues and options.

Awards

Recognized as a Next Generation Partner for TMT in 2024 & 2025 by Legal 500

Education

University of Glasgow, LL.B (Hons) First Class (2011)

Diploma in Legal Practice (2012)

Publications

Cybercrimes law client update, 10 August 2022
Singapore: More Stringent Requirements under the MAS Technology Risk Management Guidelines, 22 February 2021