Commercial Lawyers in Hobart for Business

Commercial Lawyers in Hobart

Most of Hobart’s commercial law firms work within a few blocks of the CBD, around Macquarie, Murray, Collins and Davey Streets. Many are full service practices that act for both businesses and individuals. Some also have offices in Launceston and other regional towns, which can help if your business trades across the state.

The mix of work varies from firm to firm. Some Hobart practices spend more time on larger corporate deals and government projects, while others act mostly for family businesses and local companies. Ask which lawyer will handle your matter day to day and whether the firm has acted for businesses in your industry. It is also worth asking how the firm works with your accountant, since business sales and restructures often involve tax questions.

Page Seager
RACT House, Level 2, 179 Murray Street
Hobart TAS 7000
Tel: (03) 6235 5155

Working from RACT House on Murray Street, Page Seager runs a corporate and commercial practice for businesses of any size. Its work covers buying and selling shares, businesses and assets, joint ventures and restructures, along with company structures, governance documents and Corporations Act compliance. The team also advises on intellectual property, information technology contracts, procurement and construction projects. Clients named on its site include listed and unlisted companies, government bodies, developers and contractors, community housing providers and not for profit organisations.

Simmons Wolfhagen
Level 4, 99 Bathurst Street
Hobart TAS 7000
Tel: (03) 6226 1200

Simmons Wolfhagen has offices across Tasmania, with its Hobart team based on Bathurst Street. The commercial and corporate group acts for small, medium and large businesses on contracts, shareholder agreements, joint ventures and partnerships. It also handles buying, selling and leasing businesses, franchising, tenders, supply and distribution agreements, and intellectual property and IT agreements. When a deal goes wrong, the firm can take on contract disputes, debt recovery and litigation. Its site says the team starts by learning about each client’s business challenges.
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Murdoch Clarke
10 Victoria Street
Hobart TAS
Tel: (03) 6235 9311

From its office on Victoria Street in central Hobart, Murdoch Clarke runs a commercial practice alongside its personal legal services. Business clients can get help with buying and selling a business, setting up company structures, corporate governance and compliance, and government and statutory advice. The commercial group also covers leasing, mortgage and finance, employment contracts and commercial disputes, along with construction, energy and resources work. Development, subdivision and planning appeals are handled within the same group.
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Abetz Curtis Lawyers & Advisers
83 Davey Street
Hobart TAS 7000
Tel: (03) 6223 8955

Abetz Curtis works from Davey Street in Hobart and says it specialises in advice to small and mid sized businesses and companies. Its commercial and corporate services include buying and selling businesses, share sale and shareholder agreements, partnership agreements and mergers. The firm also advises directors and executives on their statutory duties, prepares franchise agreements and works with discretionary and unit trusts. Commercial contracts and corporate litigation round out the practice, and the firm offers in house legal services as well as external advice.
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Groom Kennedy
Level 1, 47 Sandy Bay Road
Hobart TAS 7000
Tel: (03) 6221 4800

Groom Kennedy is a Hobart firm on Sandy Bay Road with separate corporate, commercial, property and private client teams. On the commercial side it reviews contracts for commercial deals and advises on government tenders and procurement, outsourcing, licensing and due diligence. Intellectual property, privacy and cybersecurity matters are also covered. The firm lists a sector focus in fintech, biotech, clean technology and agribusiness, and its site says the team aims to understand how each client’s business operates before giving advice.
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Logan & Partners
Level 1, 174 Macquarie Street
Hobart TAS 7000
Tel: 0421 826 863

Logan & Partners has offices in Hobart and in Kew, Victoria, with its Hobart office on Macquarie Street. Its business and commercial work covers business and asset sales, share sales and acquisitions, loan agreements and security, private lending and franchise and distribution arrangements. Commercial contracts, joint ventures, shareholder matters, commercial leasing, due diligence and structuring are also listed. The firm acts for buyers, sellers, lenders, borrowers, franchisors and franchisees, and says it deals early with employment, licensing and tax issues that often arise in a deal.
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Costs and getting a quote

Commercial work is often charged at hourly rates, although many firms will quote a fixed fee for set tasks such as a shareholder agreement or a business sale contract. Ask for a written estimate before work starts, and ask how the firm will let you know if the scope grows.

A short written outline of what you need, with copies of any draft contracts or leases, can make quotes from different firms easier to compare. It also tends to cut down the time spent in a first meeting.

When a business dispute goes to court

Many commercial disputes settle through negotiation or mediation before a hearing. If proceedings are needed, the Civil Division of the Magistrates Court of Tasmania deals with minor civil claims up to $5,000 and civil claims from $5,001 to $50,000. Claims over $50,000 are heard there only when all parties agree, so larger disputes may go to the Supreme Court of Tasmania instead.

A commercial lawyer can explain which court is likely to suit your claim and what costs may be involved. Advice before you sign a lease or sale agreement is often cheaper than fixing a problem later.