Commercial Lawyers in Brisbane for Business

Commercial Lawyers in Brisbane

Most of Brisbane’s larger commercial firms work from the CBD, with a cluster of offices along Eagle Street and George Street. Many act for Queensland family businesses as well as listed companies, and some also have regional offices in places such as Cairns and Toowoomba. Day to day work often covers contracts, leases, business sales and company structures.

Fit matters more than size. A firm that already acts for businesses in your industry may grasp the problem faster and spend less of your money getting up to speed. Ask who will handle the work each week, and whether the firm has property or tax lawyers to call on if the matter grows.

McCullough Robertson
Level 11, 66 Eagle Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
Tel: (07) 3233 8888

From its office on Eagle Street, McCullough Robertson runs a corporate practice that advises on mergers and acquisitions, merger control and foreign investment approvals through FIRB. Its work also covers corporate governance, including shareholder agreements and major shareholder transactions, plus ASIC compliance, financial services licensing and structuring for family offices. The firm works across sectors such as aged care, education, financial services, food and agribusiness, government, resources and renewables plus technology.

Cooper Grace Ward
Level 21, 400 George Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
Tel: (07) 3231 2444

Cooper Grace Ward is an independent firm based on George Street in the Brisbane CBD. Its corporate and commercial team handles mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, company law, corporate governance and directors’ duties, along with commercial contracts such as distribution, licensing, franchise, shareholder and partnership agreements. Clients range from family businesses and franchises to middle market enterprises, large corporates, government agencies and not for profit organisations, in industries including agribusiness, construction, energy and resources plus transport and logistics.
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Thynne + Macartney
Level 32, Riverside Centre, 123 Eagle Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
Tel: (07) 3231 8888

Thynne + Macartney is a Queensland firm founded in 1893, with its Brisbane office in the Riverside Centre on Eagle Street and further offices in Cairns and Toowoomba. The business and corporate team advises on business structures and trusts, joint ventures and commercial documents such as franchising, distribution, licensing and supply agreements. It also handles company acquisitions and sales, capital raisings, due diligence, shareholder disputes and competition and consumer law matters for listed entities, private companies and SMEs.
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Bennett & Philp Lawyers
Level 5, 69 Ann Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
Tel: (07) 3001 2999

Based on Ann Street in the CBD, Bennett & Philp Lawyers has a business advisory team that works with startups and SMEs through to national and global enterprises. Services include buying, selling and merging businesses, contracts, finance and securities, franchising plus shareholder and partnership agreements, as well as tax and workplace law. Industries the firm lists include agribusiness, construction, health and aged care, charities, property and technology.
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Mullins Lawyers
Level 21, 123 Eagle Street
Brisbane City QLD 4000
Tel: (07) 3224 0222

Mullins Lawyers advises business owners, executives and managers from its Eagle Street office. Its business services include acquisitions and disposals, mergers, structuring and trusts, finance and capital raising, franchising, licensing and distribution plus governance and risk management. Employment and industrial relations, intellectual property and general commercial advice are also offered. Industries the firm works in include sport and events, retirement villages and aged care, pubs and restaurants, property development and construction, education and clubs.
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McInnes Wilson Lawyers
Level 23, Central Plaza, 345 Queen Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
Tel: (07) 3231 0600

Commercial work at McInnes Wilson Lawyers is run from Central Plaza on Queen Street. The team handles mergers and acquisitions, shareholder and governance documents, licence, supply and service agreements, structuring advice and general transactional work, and can help businesses with unfair contract terms in standard form contracts. Clients include accountants and financial planners, small to medium enterprises, privately owned companies and listed companies. The firm notes that fees may be charged hourly or as a fixed fee.
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Costs disclosure in Queensland

Queensland lawyers have written costs disclosure duties. Guidance from the Legal Services Commission says disclosure is generally not required where total legal costs will be under $1,500, a shorter form of disclosure may be used from $1,500, and detailed disclosure is needed where costs will exceed $3,000 (these figures exclude GST and disbursements). Clients may also ask for an itemised bill, and the firm must tell you in writing about any substantial change to what it disclosed.

Many commercial firms bill by the hour, while some quote fixed fees for set tasks such as a shareholder agreement. A short written brief of what you need can make quotes from different firms easier to compare.

Retail shop lease disputes

Leases are a common source of business disputes. The Queensland Small Business Commissioner says parties to a retail tenancy dispute must attempt mediation with the QSBC before applying to QCAT. If mediation does not settle the matter, it may then be referred on to QCAT.

A commercial lawyer can often help you prepare for mediation and weigh up an offer. Getting advice before you sign a lease or a business sale contract is often cheaper than fixing a problem afterwards.