The Merton Monthly: May
In April, Merton's had the pleasure of having Anthony Curtin represent us in the US. He joined in on several exciting events, including the renowned RSA Conference 2025. We’re thrilled to be part of such important gatherings and to connect with others in the industry.
Merton Lawyers arrive back in the US - visiting Bay Area, Miami and New York
Merton Lawyers begin a U.S. trip with stops in San Francisco, Miami, and New York, engaging with founders, investors, and partners across the innovation and investment landscape. From RSA Conference and Australia House in SF, to fintech and frontier tech connections in Miami, and strategic conversations in NYC, the visit deepened cross-border relationships and reinforced our commitment to supporting Australian companies scaling globally.
Austrade and AISA - RSA Conference 2025 Australia House Evening Reception at Silicon Valley Bank Offices - San Francisco
📷 by Tankbris
We continued our time at RSA Conference 2025 in San Francisco with a strong Australian presence at Australia House, hosted by Austrade at Silicon Valley Bank’s offices.
It was fantastic to reconnect with our federal and state trade partners supporting Australia’s cybersecurity and tech sector on the global stage. Equally inspiring was seeing so many of our clients who made the journey from Australia—and those who have successfully landed in the U.S., including participants of our Project Frontier initiative.
At Merton, we’re proud to champion Australian innovation and help bridge the gap between Silicon Valley and the Australian startup ecosystem.
The momentum is real. The conversations are global. And the future is bright for Aussie tech.
Silicon Valley Bank’s annual RSA Conference 2025 reception in San Francisco
At the end of April, Anthony Curtin, Managing Partner at Merton Lawyers, touched down in San Francisco this week to kick off RSA Conference 2025 at Silicon Valley Bank’s annual reception.
The evening brought together some of the brightest minds in cybersecurity—from startup founders and Fortune 500 CISOs to leading venture capitalists—for an evening of conversations, connections, and collaboration over wine and hors d'oeuvres.
It was a privilege to reconnect with our partners at SVB and catch up with several of our U.S.-based founder and VC clients. As always, we’re energised by the strength and innovation in the global cyber and tech ecosystem—and proud to support those building the future.
Stay tuned as we continue to share insights from RSA and the conversations shaping the next wave of cybersecurity and venture capital.
Merton Lawyers attend BlackBird’s Sunrise Festival in Sydney
Last month, Merton Lawyers was proudly represented at Sunrise 2025, Blackbird Ventures’ flagship startup festival held at Carriageworks in Sydney. Team members Alexia Copley and Isaac Hanna joined founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders for two days of bold conversations, high-energy networking, and deep dives into company-building, leadership, and resilience.
Alexia highlighted the calibre of speakers and sharp insights delivered across a wide range of topics relevant to the innovation sector, noting in particular the moving reflections of Ben Shewry, co-founder and head chef at Attica, on adaptability and perseverance in leadership.
Isaac shared his enthusiasm for the packed event, despite Sydney’s rainy welcome, and pointed to standout sessions from Tim Doyle, offering tactical company-building insights, and Vu Tran, who shared a remarkable journey blending general practice with launching guided missile systems as part of a defence tech venture.
Merton Lawyers remains committed to supporting Australia’s innovation ecosystem—and events like Sunrise offer a valuable opportunity to stay connected to the visionaries and operators shaping the future.
We’re already looking forward to next year’s edition!
Merton Lawyers Attend US Trade and Investment Briefing at EY offices in Melbourne
On the 4th April 2025, members of the Merton Lawyers Corporate Team attended the US Trade and Investment Briefing, a high-level session hosted by Ernst & Young and the US Consulate, bringing together experts in international trade, taxation, and foreign direct investment.
The briefing offered timely insights for Australian businesses navigating the shifting US policy environment, especially in light of the Trump Administration’s rapid escalation of tariffs and its review of key investment and tax incentive programs.
What Should Clients Do Now?
As global supply chains continue to feel the impact of geopolitical shifts, businesses with exposure to the US market—whether via exports, sourcing, or operations—are encouraged to take proactive steps to assess risk and identify commercial and legal levers. Key recommended actions include:
Reviewing all vendor, customer, and intercompany agreement terms to identify exposure to tariff pass-throughs, delivery risk, and dispute mechanisms;
Assessing customs classification and country of origin to identify whether imports may be eligible for preferential treatment or exposed to retaliatory tariffs;
Modelling potential tariff impacts using actual US import data or Australian export data to forecast duty costs and margins;
Evaluating duty mitigation strategies such as using Free Trade Zones (FTZs), bonded warehouses, or Chapter 9802 provisions;
Considering customs valuation adjustments (e.g., transfer pricing methods or first sale planning) that may reduce the taxable base for duties;
Monitoring developments around the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and U.S. incentive programs, especially if your business is active in renewables, manufacturing, or clean tech sectors;
Preparing contingency plans for tariff-related disruptions or costs, including potential restructuring of global supply chains or US-bound sales models.
Merton Lawyers continues to advise clients with US commercial exposure, including those undergoing inbound expansion through our Project Frontier program. If your business is engaging with US markets, we encourage you to speak with our team and or one of our ecosystem advisors about legal structuring, market entry, and tariff risk.
Merton Lawyers to launch Project Odyssey
In early April 2025, Merton Lawyers will launch Project Odyssey, building on the success of Project Frontier. The initiative is the result of over 100 in-depth interviews with venture capital investors across Australia and the US, aimed at identifying key pain points in the investment landscape. Project Odyssey is designed to develop practical solutions that address these challenges, reinforcing Merton Lawyers’ commitment to supporting the innovation ecosystem and enhancing cross-border investment opportunities.
Corporate Partner - Emerging Growth Companies & Venture Capital (Melbourne and Gold Coast, Australia)
We are seeking a dynamic Partner to lead and grow our Emerging Growth Companies & Venture Capital Practice. This is an exceptional opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Australian startup ecosystem. As a Partner, you will leverage your expertise, networks, and leadership to further develop your career and elevate the firm's position as a market leader in the space.
The biggest enterprise technology M&A deals of the year (so far)
ChatGPT-maker wants to buy Google Chrome
OpenAI expressed interest in acquiring Chrome if Google had to sell it, according to executive Nick Turley during his testimony in a US antitrust trial against Google. The government aims to break up Google due to its dominance in the online search market, while Google insists that Chrome is not for sale and is seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed.
In 2025, acquisition activity among enterprise technology vendors is expected to increase, with artificial intelligence being a significant factor.
What we are reading
When the Going Was Good: An Editor's Adventures During the Last Golden Age of Magazines
Author - Graydon Carter
Upcoming*
William Buck x Merton Lawyers Client Event
International Expansion
Pangea x Stomping Ground Event (date to be confirmed)
Contact Anthony Curtin to reserve spot
BIO International Convention 2025
The BIO International Convention is the largest and most comprehensive event for biotechnology, representing the full ecosystem of biotech with 20,000 industry leaders from across the globe.
When: June 16-19, 2025
Where: Boston Convention & Exhibition Centre
