Business Lawyers Melbourne
Business Lawyers Melbourne
Practical legal advice for business owners, founders and directors
Running a business involves legal decisions at every stage, from choosing the right structure and establishing ownership arrangements through to growth, acquisitions, succession and sale.
Whelan Lawyers provides senior-led business legal advice to business owners, founders, directors and shareholders across Melbourne and Victoria. We help businesses identify legal risks, make informed decisions and establish arrangements that support their long-term objectives.
Our business lawyers advise across the business lifecycle, with particular experience in business structures, ownership arrangements, acquisitions, governance, succession and business exits.
Strategic SME & Business Advisory
Running and growing a business requires legal advice that understands more than individual legal matters. Our Melbourne business lawyers work with founders, business owners and directors on the structures, relationships and decisions that shape the long-term success of their businesses.
Under the leadership of Neda Whelan, Whelan Lawyers provides the depth and precision of a major firm with the accessibility, responsiveness and personal attention of a boutique practice.
Neda brings extensive experience from working within major businesses, giving her a practical understanding of the decisions business owners face. She understands that founders and directors need more than lengthy legal analysis. They need clear answers, practical options and advice that takes account of how their business actually operates.
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Direct Senior Access: When you engage a Melbourne business lawyer, you should have direct access to experienced legal counsel. You work closely with Neda and our senior advisors, without unnecessary layers of junior lawyers or handovers.
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Business-Focused Advice: We look beyond the immediate legal issue to understand your ownership structure, objectives and stage of growth. Our advice is designed to help you make informed decisions about the future of your business.
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Practical & Transparent: Business owners need advice they can act on. We provide clear explanations, practical recommendations and transparent pricing, without unnecessary complexity or the cost structure of a large law firm.
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Experience Across the Business Lifecycle: From establishing a business and structuring ownership to acquisitions, growth, governance, succession and exit planning, we understand the legal issues that arise as businesses evolve.
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An Understanding of How Businesses Operate: Our experience across business operations, corporate law, franchising and commercial matters means we can consider the wider implications of a legal decision, not simply the immediate issue in front of you.
Business Law Across the Business Lifecycle
Your legal needs change as your business develops. We provide advice at the key stages of establishing, operating, growing and exiting a business.
Starting a Business
The decisions made when establishing a business can have long-term consequences.
We advise founders and new business owners on matters including:
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Choosing an appropriate business structure
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Company and trust structures
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Founder and ownership arrangements
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Shareholder agreements
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Director responsibilities and governance
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Business name and ownership considerations
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Intellectual property ownership
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Initial legal and regulatory considerations
Establishing the right legal framework from the beginning can help prevent ownership disputes and structural problems as the business grows.
Buying a Business
Buying an established business requires careful legal and commercial due diligence.
We advise prospective purchasers on:
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Business and company acquisitions
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Asset and share purchases
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Due diligence
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Sale of business agreements
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Existing liabilities and obligations
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Lease and property considerations
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Employee and contractor arrangements
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Intellectual property and business assets
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Conditions precedent and settlement
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Transition and handover arrangements
We help purchasers understand what they are acquiring, identify potential risks and structure the transaction appropriately.
Business Ownership & Shareholder Arrangements
Clear ownership arrangements are fundamental to a stable business.
Our lawyers advise business owners, shareholders and directors on:
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Shareholder agreements
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Ownership structures
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Share transfers
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New shareholders and investors
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Founder arrangements
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Director appointments and responsibilities
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Decision-making and voting rights
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Deadlock provisions
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Shareholder exits
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Restructuring ownership arrangements
Well-drafted ownership arrangements can provide clarity when circumstances change and help reduce the risk of costly disputes between business owners.
Growing & Expanding a Business
As a business grows, its legal structure and ownership arrangements may need to evolve.
We advise businesses on matters including:
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Business restructures
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Bringing in investors
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New shareholders
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Business acquisitions
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Expansion into new locations
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Joint ventures and strategic relationships
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Franchising and expansion models
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Changes to ownership and control
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Corporate governance
Our advice is focused on helping business owners understand the legal implications of growth and make informed decisions as their business develops.
Business Governance
Directors and business owners have ongoing legal responsibilities that extend beyond the day-to-day operation of a business.
We advise on:
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Directors' duties
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Corporate governance
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Shareholder rights and responsibilities
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Company decision-making
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Governance arrangements
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Risk management
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Related-party matters
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Changes in ownership or control
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Business restructuring
Good governance provides a framework for making decisions, managing responsibilities and protecting the long-term interests of the business and its owners.
Selling or Exiting a Business
Selling a business is a significant legal and commercial undertaking.
Early planning can help identify issues that may affect value, structure or timing.
We advise business owners on:
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Preparing a business for sale
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Asset and share sale structures
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Sale agreements
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Due diligence
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Shareholder exits
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Business succession
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Ownership transfers
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Restructuring before sale
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Completion and transition arrangements
Whether you are planning an immediate sale or considering your eventual exit, legal advice can help you understand your options and prepare the business appropriately.
Business Contracts and Commercial Arrangements
Businesses rely on contracts throughout their lifecycle.
While our Business Law practice considers contracts in the broader context of your business, our dedicated commercial lawyers advise on the negotiation, drafting and review of commercial agreements.
This includes:
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Commercial contracts
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Service agreements
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Supply agreements
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Distribution agreements
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Contractor agreements
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Licensing arrangements
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Confidentiality agreements
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Terms and conditions
For dedicated advice on commercial agreements, see our Commercial Lawyers Melbourne and Commercial Contract Lawyers Melbourne services.
Business Disputes and Legal Risk
Disputes can arise between business owners, shareholders, customers, suppliers, contractors and other parties.
We help businesses identify potential legal risks and advise on appropriate strategies when disagreements arise. Depending on the circumstances, this may involve negotiation, mediation or litigation.
Our broader commercial disputes practice can assist with contractual disputes, shareholder disputes and other business-related commercial disputes.
Principal Lawyer
Neda Whelan
LLB, LLM, GDLP
Neda Whelan, Founder and Principal of Whelan Lawyers, leverages extensive corporate expertise gained at Cummins South Pacific and Lord Commercial Lawyers, alongside General Counsel roles at Clark Rubber and Jim's Group. Recognised among the leading business lawyers in Melbourne, she is dedicated to crafting practical, commercial-first legal solutions tailored specifically to the unique needs of scaling startups and seasoned business owners alike.
Consultant Lawyer
Andrew Wilson
LLB
Andrew Wilson, Consultant Lawyer at Whelan Lawyers, leverages over four decades of elite expertise as an Accredited Commercial Law Specialist. His distinguished career includes senior corporate roles at Baker McKenzie Melbourne, key regulatory enforcement with the NCSC (now ASIC). One of the most trusted commercial lawyers in Melbourne, Andrew is dedicated to delivering sharp, strategic legal solutions that protect and scale businesses of all sizes.
Why Businesses Choose Whelan Lawyers
Senior-led legal advice
Your matter is handled by an experienced lawyer from the outset. We do not rely on unnecessary layers of junior handovers.
Advice focused on your business
We consider the legal issue in the context of your business, ownership structure, objectives and commercial circumstances.
Practical and strategic
Our role is not simply to identify legal issues. We explain the implications, available options and practical steps so you can make informed business decisions.
Experience beyond private practice
Whelan Lawyers brings practical business and in-house legal experience to its advice, providing an understanding of the pressures and decisions faced by business owners and operators.
Business Lawyers for Melbourne Businesses
Whelan Lawyers advises businesses, founders, directors and shareholders across Melbourne and Victoria.
Whether you are starting a business, buying an established business, restructuring ownership, planning growth or preparing for an exit, obtaining legal advice early can help you make better-informed decisions and avoid problems later.
For matters involving contracts, commercial transactions, leasing and commercial disputes, our Commercial Law practice provides dedicated advice in these areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a business lawyer do?
A business lawyer advises business owners, founders, directors and shareholders on the legal issues that arise throughout the life of a business. This can include business structures, ownership arrangements, shareholder agreements, acquisitions, governance, restructuring, succession and business exits.
What is the difference between a business lawyer and a commercial lawyer?
Business lawyers generally advise on the broader legal needs of a business and its owners across the business lifecycle, including establishment, ownership, governance, acquisitions and succession.
Commercial lawyers generally focus on the legal relationships and transactions through which a business operates, including contracts, negotiations, commercial arrangements, leasing and commercial disputes.
There is some overlap between the two areas, but the focus of the legal advice can be different.
Do I need a lawyer to start a business?
Legal advice can be valuable when establishing a business, particularly when there are multiple founders or owners. A lawyer can advise on the appropriate structure, ownership arrangements, shareholder rights, director responsibilities and other issues that may affect the business as it develops.
Can you help me buy or sell a business?
Yes. We advise purchasers and business owners on business acquisitions and sales, including due diligence, transaction structure, sale agreements, ownership issues and completion arrangements.
Do you advise on shareholder agreements?
Yes. We advise founders, shareholders and businesses on shareholder agreements covering matters such as ownership, decision-making, voting rights, transfers, new shareholders, deadlocks and shareholder exits.
Can you help with business succession?
Yes. We advise business owners on succession and exit planning, including ownership transfers, shareholder exits, restructuring and the legal arrangements required to transition a business to new ownership.
Do you also advise on commercial contracts?
Yes. Commercial contracts are an important part of operating a business. Whelan Lawyers provides dedicated commercial contract advice covering drafting, review and negotiation. Where appropriate, we connect business-law advice with our specialist commercial law services.
Speak With a Business Lawyer
If you are starting, buying, growing, restructuring or preparing to sell a business, Whelan Lawyers can provide practical legal advice tailored to your circumstances.
Contact Whelan Lawyers to arrange a complimentary 30-minute consultation to discuss your business, objectives and legal requirements.