Chris Eastham

My priority is enabling clients to achieve their strategic goals, particularly when harnessing new technology and data or delivering business or digital transformation programmes. Clients trust me to structure and negotiate complex and strategic transactions, especially for business-critical functions and in complex regulatory environments. As a specialist in technology regulation, I support organisations to deliver positive business impact, bringing pragmatic and commercially-minded solutions to legal risk management and compliance.

I act for a wide range of market participants across most sectors, with a focus on technology, financial services, digital infrastructure, and aerospace, defence, and security. I lead our non-contentious AI practice, and our Space & Satellite practice.

I have a passion for working with those at the leading edge and am independently recognised by Chambers & Partners as a Global Market Leader in the field of Artificial Intelligence for my experience advising on AI-related matters (such as AI Governance and risk management). When it comes to other emerging technologies, I advise on Web 3.0 (distributed ledger technology (DLT), blockchain, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs)); metaverse and extended reality (AR/VR/MR); digital twins and IoT; quantum and high-performance computing; among others.

My clients range from cutting-edge early-stage and growth companies, through multinational technology vendors, to global corporates with sophisticated requirements and multifaceted technology ecosystems. I regularly advise on software development (including DevOps and Agile), open source, licensing, digital content, distribution and reseller arrangements, SaaS and as-a-service delivery models, IT and business process outsourcing and procurement, data privacy, and launching digital businesses into new markets.

I believe we have a responsibility to do the right thing, and am a proponent of environmental, social, and corporate governance. I have a real interest in clean technologies and renewable energy, and I am proud to lead the firm's pro-bono advocacy programme supporting the National Deaf Children's Society to ensure deaf young people get the support they need.

I am also the pro bono Chief Legal Officer at OpenUK, a not-for-profit helping to develop the UK's open technology ecosystem.