WELCOME TO O'BRIEN LEGAL
Helping businesses navigate commercial law, protect interests, and commercialise and safeguard data for lasting success.
About Me
At O’Brien Legal, I am committed to providing your business with personalised, hands-on legal advice and consultancy services that are clear, practical, and tailored to meet your unique needs. When you work with O’Brien Legal, you receive my full attention and expertise, ensuring that you get timely, effective solutions that align with your business goals and enable you to navigate complex legal challenges confidently.
​
I offer simple, straightforward advice designed to address both your legal and commercial needs. Whether you need support with commercial transactions, contracts, regulatory compliance, or privacy and data protection, I provide practical legal solutions to help you make informed, confident business decisions. You can expect a collaborative approach, where your priorities are at the forefront and where legal complexities are simplified, making the process as seamless as possible.
​
At O’Brien Legal, I am here to protect your business interests, minimise risks, and provide a foundation for sustainable growth. My goal is to be your trusted advisor, guiding you with proactive, business-focused strategies that empower you to move forward with clarity and confidence.
Education
-
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) (Honours) – University of Auckland, 2009
-
Bachelor of Science (BSc), Chemistry – University of Auckland, 2009
-
Professionals Legal Studies Course – College of Law, 2009
- Admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, 2009
-
IT Law Course – University of Cambridge, 2015
-
Postgraduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law and Practice (PGDIP) – University of Oxford, 2016
-
Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) – International Association of Privacy Professionals, 2021
-
Distinctive Leadership Programme, Organisational Leadership – Cohen-Brown Management Group, 2022
-
Certificate in Management Essentials – Harvard Business School Online, 2022
-
Governance Course – Institute of Directors in New Zealand, 2024
-
Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe (CIPP/E) – International Association of Privacy Professionals, 2025
-
Fellow of Information Privacy (FIP) – International Association of Privacy Professionals, 2025
Experience
I’m Rachel O’Brien, founder of O’Brien Legal, a boutique law firm based in Auckland, New Zealand. I help businesses navigate privacy, data, AI and commercial law. My work is focused on enabling organisations to use and protect information in ways that are legally sound, ethically grounded, and commercially smart.
​
I have over 16 years of legal experience across in-house roles, top-tier law firms, and multiple jurisdictions. I bring a practical, business-focused approach to legal advice, with deep expertise in privacy compliance, complex data use, technology contracts, AI governance, and strategic commercial agreements.
​
At BNZ, I spent five years as Head of Legal. I advised on high-value commercial contracts, complex data sharing and licensing agreements, and M&A transactions. I also led major privacy initiatives and helped uplift BNZ’s data governance practices, embedding a culture of ethical data use.
​
As a Senior Associate at Russell McVeagh, I advised clients across sectors on commercial law, litigation, and regulatory compliance, including corporate transactions and contract disputes.
​
Earlier in my career, I worked internationally at Clyde & Co in the Middle East and Bird & Bird in London. I supported international brands with commercial contracts, litigation, and cross-border IP and data protection issues. At Slaughter and May, I focused on complex commercial transactions and strategic deal structuring.
​
I hold CIPP/E and CIPM certifications and have been recognised by the International Association of Privacy Professionals as a Fellow of Information Privacy, one of its highest designations. This reflects both deep expertise and leadership in privacy and data governance.
This background allows me to provide strategic, clear advice that helps businesses make confident decisions around data, privacy and technology.
Services
1
COMMERCIAL
Commercial law services include sale and purchase agreements, joint ventures, licensing, outsourcing, and services agreements. These services support businesses in structuring, negotiating, and managing commercial relationships.
2
PRIVACY & DATA
Comprehensive services encompass privacy, data, AI, and ethics, including contract drafting, breach management, compliance audits, Privacy Officer support, privacy impact assessments, and staff training.
3
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Intellectual property services include IP strategy development, trademark registration and protection, licensing agreements, joint ventures and collaboration agreements, IP assignment and sale, and IP enforcement.
NAVIGATE