We’re technology specialists—not generalists. As technology reshapes every industry, it brings new opportunities as well as complex legal challenges that demand proven expertise. Beacon Law helps technology-driven businesses navigate regulation, protect their IP, and structure commercial relationships that enable innovation and growth.
We advise clients on negotiating and drafting robust cloud service agreements tailored to various deployment models—SaaS, IaaS, and PaaS. Our services cover:
- Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
- Data ownership and sovereignty issues
- Uptime guarantees and disaster recovery clauses
- Termination and data exit planning
- Regulatory compliance (including cross-border data flow requirements).
Our team handles all aspects of technology law, blockchain and fintech transactions, including:
- Outsourcing agreements for IT infrastructure and business processes
- Software development contracts, end-user licensing agreements (EULAs), and enterprise licensing frameworks
- Systems integration, managed service agreements, and IT procurement contracts
- Open-source software use and compliance strategies
- IP assignment, maintenance, and infringement risk assessments.
We assist clients in building blockchain platforms and launching digital assets by offering:
- Legal structuring for token issuance (security, utility, and corporate governance in New Zealand tokens)
- White paper review and regulatory classification
- AML/CFT compliance under New Zealand and international law
- Guidance on the formation and operation of decentralised autonomous organisations (DAOs)
- Smart contract enforceability and legal liability issues.
Our fintech services cover both established and emerging financial technologies, including:
- Structuring of digital wallets, payment gateways, and embedded finance solutions
- Licensing under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 and related frameworks
- Advice on cryptocurrency exchanges and DeFi platforms
- Cross-border remittance and payments compliance
- Participation in regulatory sandboxes and innovation pathways with the FMA and RBNZ.
We help businesses establish compliant and resilient data practices by offering:
- Privacy policy drafting and review, aligned with the Privacy Act 2020 and GDPR
- Advice on cross-border data transfers and data residency obligations
- Data processing agreements for vendors and third-party service providers
- Cybersecurity incident response planning and breach notification advice
- Compliance audits and regulatory readiness assessments.
Director, Chris Linton is often available to act in formal corporate governance roles in New Zealand or further afield, including:
- Serving on advisory boards or as a non-executive director
- Providing strategic legal oversight to tech-driven businesses
- Advising on board-level risk management, compliance, and investor relations
- Supporting capital raising and IPO readiness from a legal corporate governance perspective.
Experience Includes
EASYCRYPTO
Advising EasyCrypto on global expansion, licensing, and acquisition strategies.
NEW ZEALAND STOCK EXCHANGE (NZX)
Assisting the New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZX) with offshore licensing of its FASTER settlement platform.
EDS
Leading the legal framework for EDS' national cheque imaging rollout across central New Zealand banks.
Chris Linton is an outstanding IT and communications lawyer. Uniquely, she brings together a high level of technical understanding, strong legal ability, and value-adding commercial input.
When you are looking for outstanding external legal advice, you seek out highly qualified technical specialists who also have the business acumen to work with your own business people. Lawyers who combine those skills are rare – Chris Linton is one of very few.
Chris Linton has been outstanding, as both the primary legal advisor and the engagement lead. Chris has always gone the extra mile to ensure that the initiative is at all times on a sound legal footing, including proactively advising on industry developments that present either risk or opportunity.
The service delivered was … of the highest quality, including meeting the rigours of public sector scrutiny. We have been particularly impressed with, and appreciative of, [the firm’s] ability and willingness to be responsive to often unreasonable timeline demands driven by public sector decision-making processes