Expertise

Cynthia is a Partner in the firm’s corporate and commercial team with extensive experience, breadth and depth of expertise in a broad range of commercial transactions and regulated industries.

She advises Australian and multinational businesses, owned by both private and public companies, ranging from global and national market leaders, SMEs and family owned business to start ups in multiple industry sectors including the automotive, franchising, technology, manufacturing, food, fashion, utilities services and embedded networks, consumer goods, petrol and convenience sectors.

Cynthia is well known for her specialist expertise in international and domestic franchising and distribution of products and services (including IT products and services) and all regulatory areas relevant to her clients’ businesses. She regularly advises clients on their commercial arrangements and contracts including drafting, advising on and negotiating business critical and complex commercial contracts, industry code compliance (including the Franchising Code, Oilcode, Horticultural Code, Grocery Code), channels to market, e-commerce and website operations, technology contracts of all kinds (for both vendors and customers; software, apps, hardware and cloud based infrastructure and services), competition and consumer law, licensing and intellectual property commercialisation and enforcement, and privacy and data matters (including data breaches, OAIC investigations and complaints) whether in the context of a client’s day-to-day business operations or as part of a larger transaction. Her breadth of skills and experience means she can adopt a holistic and cost-effective approach across all relevant legal issues, and assist her clients to navigate the increasingly complex regulatory environment in which they operate.

Cynthia is considered one of Australia’s leading franchise and automotive lawyers. She has acted for many international and national franchise and distribution networks in various sectors and has expertise and experience acting for automotive brands and distributors.

Cynthia joined SBA Law in 2014 after spending 15 years at DLA Piper. She has also previously undertaken in-house secondments with Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Ltd and Medibank Private Ltd.

Education

Cynthia holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Melbourne, part of which was completed on exchange at McGill Law School in Montreal, Canada.

Experience

Cynthia’s recent experience includes:

• Toyota: Acting for over 20 years as lead external counsel with respect to all legal matters relating to the Toyota independent dealer networks and representing Toyota in consultations and negotiations with the National Toyota Dealer Association.
• AA Holdings: Acting for AA Holdings with respect to all legal matters relating to its franchise agreement and wholesale fuel supply agreement with BP Australia, and its network of commission agents, including preparation of and advice in relation to Fuel Re-Seller Agreements, Oil Code requirements and compliance and all related legal and regulatory issues.
• Lexus: Acting for over 20 years as lead external counsel with respect to all legal matters relating to the Lexus independent dealer network and representing Lexus in consultations and negotiations with Lexus Dealer representatives.
• Acting for DWS Limited in relation to the negotiation and preparation of a tripartite Software Licence, Maintenance and Related Services Agreement with the Minister for Environment and Water (SA) and the US software vendor, Accela Inc, which involved delivery of a technology solution for the administration of water rights licences for the State of South Australia.
• Acting as general outside counsel to a cloud connected enterprise grade Software-as-a-Service platform business, including drafting, negotiating and advising on its reseller network and all related legal documentation, and drafting and negotiating all its SaaS customer contracts.
• Advising a client in relation to its proprietary technology platform that connects businesses with a national marketplace of service providers, including drafting all legal documentation for platform users and advising on key contracts with business partners and customers.

Awards and recognition

Who’s Who Legal (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023) - named as a leading practitioner in franchise law in both the Australian and Global editions.

The Who’s Who Legal Awards are based on peer review, with leading lawyers in each jurisdiction asked about the professional capabilities of other lawyers working in the same field.

Lexology Client Choice Awards 2022 – exclusive winner in the Franchise category for Australia.

Professional boards/committees

Cynthia is a member of the Franchise Council of Australia’s Legal Subcommittee.