Commercial lawyers advise businesses on contracts, company structures, buying and selling businesses, intellectual property, tax, debt and insolvency.
firms
3,178
specialisations
18
regions
66
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Small and medium businesses usually need a lawyer at the moments that carry real risk: setting up the structure, signing a lease or major contract, raising money, taking on a partner, buying or selling the business, or dealing with a dispute or unpaid debt. A commercial lawyer who understands your industry can save money by fixing problems in the documents before they become disputes. Larger firms offer specialist teams in areas such as competition law, privacy and banking, while many regional firms cover the everyday needs of local businesses and farms.
Why business law matters
Legal issues are among the most common reasons small businesses fail. Prevention costs far less than disputes.
The Australian context
Businesses operate under federal company, tax and consumer law plus state laws on leasing, licensing and property.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(414)Google rating from 414 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Executive Law Group provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Criminal Law and Family Law.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Employment Law · Partner & Family Visas · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · DefamationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Chippendale, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(394)Google rating from 394 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
sprintlaw - Legal Services provides legal services in Chippendale, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Intellectual Property & Trade Marks.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Employment Law · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Partner & Family Visas · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Employer Advisory & Industrial RelationsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Willetton, WA · Perth South
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(247)Google rating from 247 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
FS Legal Perth provides legal services in Willetton, WA. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Immigration & Visas.
Business & Commercial Law+4 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Immigration & Visas · Wills & Estates · Public LiabilityFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Woolloomooloo, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(204)Google rating from 204 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Progressive Legal provides legal services in Woolloomooloo, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Defamation.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Defamation · Property & Conveyancing · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Employment Law · Partner & Family Visas · Franchising
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Herston, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(181)Google rating from 181 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Vocare Law provides legal services in Herston, QLD. Listed practice areas include Not-for-Profit & Charity Law, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Not-for-Profit & Charity Law+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Employment Law · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Administrative & Government Law · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(179)Google rating from 179 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
HHG Legal Group provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Notary Public & JP Services and Planning & Environment.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreNotary Public & JP Services · Planning & Environment · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Building & Construction · Partner & Family Visas · Property & Conveyancing
Understand the next step
A practical guide to business & commercial
Choosing the right kind of assistance
Start with the commercial objective: entering a contract, changing ownership, raising finance, resolving a dispute or managing risk. Identify the legal entity and who may give instructions. A company, its directors and its shareholders do not necessarily have the same interests.
How the engagement may progress
01
Explain the transaction, amount involved, parties and desired result. Provide the current agreement and relevant entity or trust details.
02
Ask which risks need legal, accounting, tax or technical advice. Identify essential terms and those you are willing to negotiate.
03
Agree who negotiates, approves documents and tracks continuing obligations. Clarify whether post-completion advice is included.
Fees and the scope of work
Request a defined scope or staged budget with assumptions about document review and negotiation rounds. Personal guarantees, tax and related disputes may need separate work.
Ask for a written scope identifying the work you are authorising, the person responsible and when costs will be reviewed. If you only want advice on one step, say so before the firm begins wider work.
Dates to raise at first contact
Highlight signing dates, finance conditions and demands. Raise an inability to meet debts immediately so appropriate advice can be identified before further commitments.
Questions to ask a business & commercial adviser
Who is your client: the business or me personally?
What specialist input is required?
Which risks and exclusions should I understand before approving the document?
Directory guidance updated 19 September 2026. General information to help you prepare for a conversation with a professional; not advice about your individual matter. Check current requirements with the relevant authority.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer to start a company?
You can register a company yourself. A lawyer is useful for the shareholders agreement, the right structure for tax and asset protection, and making sure your contracts and terms protect you.
Should a lawyer review a commercial lease?
Yes. Leases often run for years and can include costly obligations such as make-good, outgoings and personal guarantees. Some states also have retail leasing laws that affect your rights.
What can I do about an unpaid invoice?
A lawyer can send a letter of demand, and if that fails, start recovery proceedings. For companies, a statutory demand can be an effective option in the right circumstances.
