Ali Smith

Ali Smith is an Associate in the Tech Transactions group at Bird & Bird in London. She is an Australian-qualified lawyer and her practice focuses on Technology Law.

She advises clients on a broad range of technology matters, with a particular focus on complex technology procurement and large-scale outsourcing and transformation projects.

Her practice covers the full spectrum of technology transactions, from software licensing, SaaS arrangements and cloud adoption through to major outsourcing programmes and the development and deployment of AI-enabled and automated solutions. She enjoys helping clients navigate the legal and commercial risks that arise when buying, selling or developing new technology.

She acts for clients ranging from start-ups to large multinationals, and advises both customers and technology providers. That dual-sided perspective gives her a practical understanding of the priorities and risk appetite on both sides of a deal, allowing her to provide advice that is commercially grounded.

She primarily advises clients in the technology and defence sectors, and also works across a range of sectors including health, financial services, utilities, retail and media. Before joining Bird & Bird, she advised government clients at a leading Australian law firm on commercial contracting and procurement, giving her a practical appreciation of the pressures clients face when bidding for, or delivering, public sector contracts.