Mark Bennett LL.M

Partner

Emailmark.j.bennett@akd.partners

Call+61 2 9286 8292

Sydney

About

Mark advises clients on the design, development, and operation of digital infrastructure, including enterprise hyperscale and colocation data centres. He leads complex, high-value technology outsourcing and procurement transactions across the full technology ecosystem, frequently acting for clients in highly regulated industries. Mark is a trusted adviser on legal risk, operational resilience, and regulatory compliance - especially in relation to AI, sustainability, and technology-driven M&A.

Mark also focuses on transformative and disruptive technology projects, supporting clients on the strategic adoption of emerging digital platforms and data-driven innovation. His approach blends legal precision with commercial pragmatism, delivering scalable governance frameworks, operational playbooks, and dynamic legal solutions, that are aligned with each client’s unique operating model.

A passionate technologist with deep market insight, Mark brings a nuanced understanding of how businesses evolve - helping them capitalise on opportunity while navigating complexity with confidence and clarity.

Areas of FocusTechnology Financial Services Data, Privacy and Cybersecurity Infrastructure, Construction and Transport Commercial Contracts Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics Government Contracting Real Estate

Bar admissions / Professional QualificationsSolicitor of the High Court of AustraliaSolicitor of the Supreme Court of New South WalesSolicitor of the High Court of Hong Kong

EXPERIENCE

Representing sell side on Blackstone's AUD24 billion acquisition of Airtrunk.*
Representing a global alternative asset manager on its acquisition of the data centre business of PCCW across Asia.*
Acquisition and capacity leaseback of circa 90,000km undersea and terrestrial passive fibre optic cables (FTTT and FTTH), and associated greenfield construction.*
Global investment bank with its major global technology and outsourcing projects and critical infrastructure, including SaaS, NPCaaS, UCCaaS, DMaaS, and IaaS.*
Representing various technology management companies on their technology MSAs (for the provision of a cross section of digital related technology solutions, and mobile and desktop applications) with various Australian Government and quasi-governmental bodies.*
A leading global insurance company on its outsourcing of its APAC technology infrastructure and telecommunications functions to a global service provider.*
American multinational hedge fund on its portfolio of contractual operational commitments across APAC, including data services, research, trading, consultancy, venue, licensing, SEBI and MAS regulatory, tech evaluation, BCPs, data centres, leases, and the creation and enhancement of negotiation and risk profile playbooks and guidelines.*
Global US investment bank with respect to negotiating a primary and redundant data centres in APAC.*
Representing a data centre operator with respect to its real estate tenure structure, service level agreements, governance, regulatory, cross border data transfer and localization, and technical and operational requirements such as sourcing equipment and infrastructure, construction, and interfacing with utility providers.*
Representing a global music agency on its sponsorship, venue, and performance, agreements.*
Acting for a global e-commerce supply chain solutions provider with respect to its facilities in Australia (including the negotiation of a significant pre-completed industrial facility in Western Sydney).*
Proposed disposition of a large-scale colocation data centre operator, including preparation of a comprehensive due diligence report on its operational, customer, and supplier, ecosystem.*
Advising a data centre operator in relation to an investment in its data centre development portfolio and the establishment of a platform arrangement for the funding, development, and operation, of data centre assets.*

*Denotes experience gained at prior firm

Education

University of New South Wales, Master of Laws (Distinction) 2000

The College of Law, Sydney, Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (Distinction) 1996

Bond University, Queensland, Bachelor of Laws 1995

Prior Experience

2023 - 2025: Senior Counsel – Technology and Real Estate, Sydney-based international law firm
2020 - 2023: Consultant – Real Estate and Technology, Hong Kong-based consultancy
2018 - 2020: Senior Counsel – Real Estate and Technology, Hong Kong-based international law firm
2008 - 2018: Executive Director – Global Head of Technology Legal, Regional Head of Real Estate Legal, Hong Kong-based Japanese global investment banking institution
2006 - 2008: Senior Vice President – Head of Technology Legal Asia & Global Head Real Estate Legal, Hong Kong-based US global investment banking institution
2004 - 2005: Senior Associate – Property, Funds and Major Projects, London-based international law firm
2003 - 2005: Senior Associate – Projects, Finance, Investments, Sydney-based international law firm
1998 - 2003: Senior Associate (Associate in Sydney) – Projects, Property and Construction, Hong Kong and Sydney-based international law firm