What to discuss at the first meeting
Explain the proposed ownership, investment, acquisition or governance change. Identify all entities and stakeholders so conflicts, approvals and document responsibilities can be assessed.
Ask whether completion and post-completion tasks are included in the estimate.
Working with a firm in Sydney CBD
A city-centre address can be convenient for meetings, but it does not tell you which solicitor will handle the file. For a business transaction, employment issue or dispute, ask whether the team has experience with your particular industry and the size of the matter.
For corporate law & m&a, ask which parts of the work the firm handles itself and whether it has relevant NSW experience. Let the lawyer know if a property, employer, other party or existing proceeding is outside Sydney CBD. Your home address alone does not determine the applicable process.
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 corporate law & m&a adviser
- Which approvals and documents need review?
