Connell O’Neill, a registered foreign lawyer (NSW) in Hong Kong and a partner of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, head of the firm’s technology practice in Asia, advises clients throughout APAC and the Middle East on corporate and commercial transactions, privacy and cybersecurity, product counselling, and commercial intellectual property matters in the information technology, media and telecommunications sectors. Connell has been a key advisor on many major matters across APAC and the Middle East, including in China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, UAE and elsewhere, and has provided strategic commercially-sensitive advice to clients on a range of complex and emerging topics.

Connell regularly advises emerging and established businesses on major transformative transactions and assists his clients on navigating legal complexity when pursuing digital strategies whether as a traditional industry incumbent or disruptive challenger. This focus has seen Connell advise on many market firsts in the areas of blockchain, autonomous vehicle technologies, information infrastructure and digital marketplaces. He is also very active across the fintech ecosystem and has assisted clients on the launch of many innovative fintech platforms.

Connell has been listed as a leading lawyer for his work in the TMT sector by Chambers Asia Pacific  and is now also listed as a leading lawyer in the inaugural Chambers Greater China Region  released in 2022, in which a client praised his “commercial acumen” and was quoted saying he is “very proactive in recommending solutions.” He is also recognized by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific  which notes Connell’s practice is “unique as they have a deep understanding and knowledge on acquisition, implementation, maintenance and managed services for technology.” One client was quoted saying “Connell O’Neill is a knowledgeable professional with excellent work ethics,” with another saying, “I find him to be an expert in terms of technology acquisition, implementation, maintenance and managed services consulting. He has deep knowledge, is passionate and very innovative. He has a deep understanding of risks involved and its mitigations.”

Connell’s counselling practice focuses on complex and emerging topics such as cybersecurity and data privacy, where he is able to draw on his technical computer science background to quickly deliver valuable client insights and identify risk. In the 2021 edition of Global Data Review’s  GDR 100 Elite, a list of the world’s top 20 data practices, it was noted that “Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher appears to have the strongest practice overall,” with Connell listed as a leading individual in the Asia Pacific region.

Connell graduated from the Australian National University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Information Technology (Computer Systems) and a Bachelor of Laws (with Honors). He received a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice of the College of Law, Sydney in 2008.