Suzy Schmitz

A technology lawyer since 2007, Suzy assists with the full range of technology contracts including SaaS agreements, software development, technology procurement, data & IP licensing, information security and intellectual property. With experience acting for both vendors and technology customers, she is experienced at advising on risk allocation in technology agreements. Suzy’s work includes data licensing, IP rights, influencer marketing, GDPR compliance, e-retailing and social-media governance, as well as drafting terms of use, privacy policies and end-user agreements relating to websites, mobile apps, and digital marketplaces.

• Drafted and negotiated MSAs, SOWs, and software integration agreements for a listed multinational technology company.
• Advised a listed, multinational technology company on AI regulation, governance, and strategy.
• Prepared template SaaS subscription, support, and maintenance terms for UK and Australian software companies.
• Prepared and negotiated security and privacy terms addressing data breach, vendor security programs, third-party certifications (ISO, SOC 2), systems audits, customer obligations, and liability for default.
• Advised a technology customer on liability for software over-deployment claims.
• Drafted AI terms governing the provision of agentic AI services.
• Negotiated a core banking software agreement with a global vendor on behalf of an Australian Neobank.
• Prepared website and mobile application supply terms for various technology vendors.
• Advised a technology customer on service failures and vendor liability, including early-stage dispute resolution.
• Drafted, negotiated, and advised on an MSA for the supply of business-critical software to a multinational listed business.
• Prepared terms of use, digital content supply terms, and privacy policies for an Australian publisher.
• Prepared data centre and hosting agreements on behalf of a vendor.
• Advised on agile software development contracts including remedies for default.

Suzy advises on a range of intellectual property matters, with a particular focus on software and brand protection. She has extensive experience drafting and negotiating IP licences, joint development agreements, and data licences for clients in the technology, pharmaceutical, fashion, FMCG, food & drink, and e-commerce sectors. Suzy can support clients with trade mark and copyright issues, brand enforcement, IP ownership and structuring, knowhow and confidentiality, and the commercialisation and safeguarding of IP assets in both digital and traditional markets.

• Advised software vendors on the ownership of customer inputs, feedback and improvements.
• Drafted IP licences in connection with a pharmaceutical joint venture.
• Drafted a joint development agreement governing ownership of product innovations for a leading drinks company.
• Advised a UK electronic stock exchange on intellectual property rights in its software and data products.
• Drafted trade mark licence agreements for a luxury fashion brand.
• Advised a listed technology vendor on trade mark portfolio management and strategy.
• Advised a vertical farming technology and research company on its ownership and licensing of data.
• Prepared a complex patent licence relating to the use of geothermal energy.
• Acted in multiple brand cease-and-desist actions on behalf of a UK online retailer.
• Prepared IP assignments in connection with the sale of a client’s brand.
• Advised on copyright issues relating to the use of historic literary characters in computer games.

Suzy advises on high-value and strategically sensitive commercial arrangements, including complex supply, services, and manufacturing agreements, consultancy engagements, and distribution contracts. Drawing on her extensive litigation experience, she can advise clients on risk allocation, liability, termination, and early-stage contract disputes across a range of industries.

• Drafted complex contracts relating to the procurement of technology and consultancy services.
• Drafted terms and conditions relating to the supply of goods and services.
• Prepared cross-border distribution contracts relating to the sale of luxury goods in China.
• Advised on contract interpretation and related issues include early termination, liability, and unfair contract terms.
• Prepared suites of template commercial contracts, including MSAs, SOWs, support terms, NDAs, and supply terms.
• Advised on a key customer’s global purchasing terms, acting on behalf of a household drinks brand.
• Advised on manufacturing and distribution arrangements relating to FMCG products.
• Project-managed complex contract negotiations relating to technology services.
• Engaged by a global drinks brand to advise and negotiate on key distribution contracts.
• Negotiated a consultancy agreement on behalf of a luxury fashion eCommerce consultancy.
• Advised on outsourced services agreements.

Suzy advises on IP and IT in corporate transactions, including due diligence, warranties, indemnities, and transitional services.  She can assist IP-rich companies prepare for investment or sale through audits, remediation, and intangible asset assessment.

• Acted for a leading provider of information services and technology to the healthcare industry in connection with its acquisition of a big data research specialist.
• Advised leading technology provider on its M&A Sale to a private-equity-owned group.
• Provided strategic advice and analysis to relating to a target’s IP assets and licensing arrangements.
• Prepared a whitepaper for a global, listed mass media & information firm regarding complex copyright issues relating to a target’s business.
• Acted for a leading events business in connection with the sale of a key asset.

Suzy advises on marketing agreements, sponsorships, influencer engagements, and social media campaigns, with expertise in ASA code compliance, advertising regulation, and the legal framework around comparative advertising and digital brand promotion.

• Negotiated a social media marketing services agreement for a leading soft drinks company.
• Advised FMCG brands on proposed on-pack and media marketing claims.
• Advised a marketing agency on its customer contracts.
• Prepared service terms relating to the procurement of content creation services, including livestreaming and influencer content.
• Advised on comparative marketing campaigns relating to consumer brands.
• Negotiated with a leading media company to agree sponsorship and competition terms relating to a leading FMCG brand.
• Advised a leading music platform on issues relating to the use of user generated content.
• Advised a mobile phone brand on liability, branding and licensing issues relating to its proposed social media campaigns.

Suzy has extensive experience acting for FMCG brands across a range of matters including commercial contracts, brand protection and enforcement, marketing regulation, IP licensing, technology procurement, supply and distribution and dispute resolution. Having worked in-house for leading household brands, Suzy understands the demands of fast-paced environments and delivers timely, practical, and proportionate advice to help FMCG clients achieve their commercial objectives.

• Advised leading FMCG brands on product claims including on-pack and in paid media.
• Prepared online distribution agreements for a listed, multinational FMCG ecommerce business unit.
• Negotiated a technology contract on behalf of a household brand.
• Advised a cosmetics brand on intellectual property issues relating to its brand relaunch.
• Advised a leading FMCG brand on regulatory and contractual issues relating to a consumer-facing chatbot.
• Negotiated data sharing contracts for a leading FMCG brand, including relating to consumer purchasing data.
• Advised a household brand on its trade mark portfolio including filing strategy.
• Negotiated supply and distribution agreements for a household consumer brand.
• Prepared influencer agreements for a leading FMCG brand.
• When in-house, managed high-profile patent litigation relating to a global FMCG brand.

Suzy advises technology vendors on issues including software development and licensing, SaaS and other “as-a-service” models, service level agreements and support/maintenance terms, agile development frameworks, AI governance and contracting, intellectual property, and data security. Her clients range from startups to listed, multinational technology companies.

• Acted for a leading LawTech SaaS vendor to negotiate customer contracts relating to practice management software, including terms relating to SLAs, support, security, and privacy.
• Prepared a suite of templates including a EULA, cookie policy, privacy policy, and data processing addendum for a listed, multinational, technology vendor.
• Advised an established HealthTech vendor on information security aspects of its customer contracts.
• Advised an AI vendor on liability for AI systems, AI contracting, and AI governance.
• Acting for an EdTech AI service provider in relation to its SaaS subscription terms and privacy policy.
• Assisted a TravelTech vendor to identify, capture and protect its inventions, including advising on patenting strategy.
• Acting for a PropTech vendor in relation to its core customer contracts, including advising on risk allocation, liability for platform and data failures, and IP indemnities.
• Advised an e-retailer on its B2C terms and liability for supplier’s default.
• Advised an influencer marketing agency on its customer terms.
• Advised a software developer on intellectual property rights, allocation of risk and liability for default.

Suzy assists food & beverage clients with a range of commercial matters including technology, IP, and commercial contracts. With experience acting for leading consumer brands in the drinks, snacks, and vitamins sectors, she can assist on B2B and B2C contracts including those relating to supply and distribution, marketing and sponsorship, intellectual property, and technology.

• Prepared a joint development agreement for a well-known drinks company, governing ownership of product innovations.
• Negotiated a high-profile festival sponsorship agreement for an alcoholic drinks brand.
• Acted for a well-known snack brand in IP litigation relating to copycat packaging.
• Negotiated supply and rebate agreements for an alcoholic drinks brand.
• Assisted a leading vitamin brand with its European manufacturing and distribution arrangements.
• Advised on a leading retailers’ global purchasing terms, acting on behalf of a household drinks brand.
• Advised a global drinks/media company on e-gaming event contracts.
• Advised a global alcoholic drinks brand regarding the inclusion of third-party products in a virtual store environment.

Suzy regularly advises retail and fashion clients, with a particular focus on IP licensing, technology contracts, brand protection, marketing regulation, terms and conditions, and warehousing and logistics agreements.

• Prepared e-retail terms & conditions for a leading French fashion brand.
• Drafted and negotiated a website development agreement for a leading lingerie brand.
• Prepared social media policies for a multinational luxury goods company, for use by its stable of brands.
• Acted for a UK online retailer on various legal issues relating to their business, including B2C terms, IP protection & enforcement, and consumer law.
• Acted for a leading women’s fashion brand in a trade mark dispute relating to its core brand.
• Advised a luxury brand on online marketplace terms.
• Negotiated trade mark licence agreements to support collaborations between a luxury shoe brand and fashion leaders.

Recognised in the 2025 edition of Doyle’s Guide™ (Australia) for Technology, Media and Telecommunications

Recognised in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers in Australia™ for Intellectual Property Law

Recognised in the 2022 edition of Doyle’s Guide™ (Australia) as a Leading Non-Contentious Intellectual Property Lawyer

Recognised by The Legal 500 for Commercial Contracts 2017–2018

Recognised by The Legal 500 for Brand Management 2017

Suzy holds a postgraduate diploma in Intellectual Property Law & Practice from Bristol University (2007)