Matthew Nicholls

Matthew Nicholls, Principal Lawyer at Nicholls Legal, brings over 20 years of extensive expertise in Technology and Communications law. Holding a Bachelor of Laws with Honours and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne, Matthew's career commenced at prominent national law firms Clayton Utz and Corrs Chambers Westgarth. He further honed his legal acumen by establishing the position of Regulatory and General Counsel at Primus Telecom, a key telecommunications carrier in Australia, where he was responsible for all regulatory and legal matters. Matthew's reputation as a lateral thinker and commercial lawyer is well-founded, particularly in the areas of e-commerce transactions and telecommunications regulation, where he has pioneered several industry firsts. His expertise encompasses negotiating and drafting agreements, litigation, and providing regulatory and trade practices advice. Notable clients include the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. He has also served as a director on the board of the Australian Communications Information Forum, now known as Communications Alliance. Matthew's clientele is a testament to his professional prowess, having represented major telecommunications players such as AAPT/PowerTel, Soul/TPG, NEC, Hutchison 3G Australia, and Macquarie Telecom, among others. His representative matters include serving as a legal consultant for Adam Smith International's Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility project, a successful High Court representation for telcos against Telstra, and leading legal advice for TransACT Communications in their bid for the $4.7 billion NBN. His contributions extend to acting for the Victorian State Emergency Service during the Black Saturday Bushfires Royal Commission and advising Access Economics and the Federal Government on next-generation network regulations. Additionally, he has drafted model terms and conditions for the Australian telecommunications industry under the ACCC's commission. Admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Victoria, the Federal Court, and the High Court of Australia, Matthew is an active member of several professional bodies, including the Law Institute of Victoria, the Communications Alliance, and the Australian Computer Society. His role on the Victorian Committee of the Telecommunications Society of Australia further underscores his commitment to the field. To reach Matthew, contact him directly via phone or email.