Connell O'Neill

Connell O’Neill is a Registered Foreign Lawyer (NSW) in Hong Kong and a partner of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. He heads Gibson Dunn’s Asia TMT and technology practices, providing strategic counsel across Asia Pacific and the Middle East. Leveraging his computer science background, he leads expertise in technology and digital infrastructure M&A, commercial transactions, and regulatory matters, covering towers, data centers, subsea cables, fiber, and satellite, alongside AI, data governance, cybersecurity, fintech, outsourcing, and technology transactions. He acts for major global companies on data-related matters, including product counseling and critical cybersecurity incident management.

Connell advised Miescor Infrastructure Development Corporation (MIDC) on its 2025 merger with PhilTower, forming a leading Philippine digital infrastructure provider. He represented e& on its $2.2B divestment of a 40% stake in Khazna Data Center in 2025, guided PLDT on its 2024 network modernization with Amdocs’ cloud-based OSS platform, and acted for Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation on its multi-lane free flow tolling program contracts with Egis in 2024.

He has been recognized by Chambers and Partners, Legal 500, and IFLR1000, and has been named an ALB top 15 TMT Lawyer, an ALB Super 50 TMT Lawyer, an ALB Hong Kong Rising Star, a Euromoney Rising Star (Technology), a Lawdragon 100 Leading AI & Legal Tech Advisor, and a Distinguished Advisor for Cybersecurity & Data Privacy by Financier Magazine. His team has been recognized as The Tech Capital’s Digital Infrastructure Advisory Team of the Year. Clients note in Chambers Greater China that he is “an outstanding lawyer and we always know that we will get the best result when we brief him on our matters,” and praise his team as “a strong group of lawyers, both at partner and associate levels - a world-class team.” Legal 500 Asia Pacific highlights his team’s “unique deep understanding and knowledge on acquisition, implementation, maintenance and managed services for technology.”

Connell holds IT and law degrees from the Australian National University. He is admitted in Australia by the Law Societies of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

Capabilities

• Strategic Sourcing and Commercial Transactions
• Artificial Intelligence
• Betting and Gaming
• Consumer Protection
• Emerging Companies / Venture Capital
• Intellectual Property
• Media, Entertainment, and Technology
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Privacy, Cybersecurity, and Data Innovation
• Tech and Innovation
• Technology Transactions
• Transportation and Space

Credentials

Education:

• The College of Law, Australia - 2008 Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
• Australian National University - 2007 Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) (Hons)
• Australian National University - 2007 Bachelor of Information Technology

Admissions:

• Australia - Law Society of New South Wales