Nick O'Connell

Nick O’Connell is a Partner with Al Tamimi & Company, the leading law firm in the Middle East & North Africa.

Working primarily between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and across the firm’s other Middle East and North Africa offices, Nick has been with Al Tamimi & Company for most of the last fifteen years. Initially joining as an Intellectual Property specialist in 2006, most of his time with the firm has been spent as a key member of the firm’s technology, media and telecommunications practice.

Nick’s practice includes advertising and media, e-commerce, privacy and data protection, technology transactions (including procurement, software licensing, consultancy services and outsourcing), information security, telecommunications, and supporting on technology, telecoms and IP aspects of broader corporate and commercial transactions. He is the author of the UAE chapter on Data Protection & Privacy, 3rd Edition (the Sweet & Maxwell International Series), and he contributed to the UAE and Saudi Arabia chapters of Proskauer on Privacy.  Nick is a certified information privacy professional / GDPR specialist (CIPP/E).

Examples of Nick’s work relevant to GALA include advising:

• A web portal and content aggregator on regional content restrictions and advertising regulations.
• A sweepstakes management company in respect of online promotions and competitions on-line.
• A global liquor brand on its proposed on-line promotional campaign.
• An e-commerce platform on privacy regulations restrictions on unsolicited marketing communications;
• A local retail establishment on its on-line loyalty program.
• An advertising firm on television script and content reviews for a series of commercials to be aired in the Middle East.
• A leading global provider of digital payments and wallets on recently issued regulations on Stored Value Facilities and Electronic Payment Systems.
• A retail analytics solution provider in respect of privacy and telecoms regulatory concerns relating to proposed introduction of retail analytics technology.
• A game software publisher regarding online commerce and content regulation issues in the Middle East.
• A robotics manufacturer on e-commerce and product related regulatory considerations relevant to the sale of its products in the Middle East.
• An international toy retailer on website terms, purchase terms and privacy policy for use in the Middle East.

Nick is admitted to practise in New Zealand, New South Wales (Australia) and England & Wales, and registered with the Dubai Ruler’s Court / Legal Affairs Department.