Chris Eastham

My highest priority is enabling my clients to achieve their strategic goals. Often this includes harnessing new technology and data or delivering business or digital transformation programmes.

With over a decade of experience I'm an expert in structuring and negotiating complex and strategic transactions, especially for business-critical systems and functions, and have substantial experience in technology regulation and navigating complex regulatory environments. I support organisations to translate legal risk management and compliance, through commercially-minded legal solutions and governance, into positive business impact. I act for suppliers and customers across all sectors and am particularly active in tech, telecoms, and digital content and platforms.

I have a real passion for working with those at the leading edge and have in-depth expertise advising on artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous systems; Web 3.0, blockchain, distributed ledger technology (DLT), and non-fungible tokens (NFTs); metaverse and extended reality (AR/VR/MR); digital twins and IoT; quantum and high-performance computing; and other emerging technologies. I am independently recognised by Chambers & Partners as a Global Market Leader in the field of Artificial Intelligence and lead the firm's cross-practice working group on AI and emerging technologies.

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 am always keen to deliver innovative and actionable solutions to deliver my clients' objectives, and my clients trust me to provide pragmatic legal advice using my market-leading experience working for both purchasers and vendors. I've also been independently rated as a stand-out lawyer by Acritas Stars and Legal 500.

I firmly 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.