Practice Areas Whelan Lawyers – Melbourne Commercial, Franchising & Construction Lawyers

Commercial decisions require commercial advice. We help you negotiate, structure, and safeguard your deals—without the jargon or delay.

We regularly advise on:

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• Business sales and acquisitions

• Shareholder and partnership agreements

• Corporate Advisory

• Commercial contracts (supply, distribution, licensing, services)

• Privacy compliance and data security

• PPSR advice and registration

• Regulatory compliance

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​Whether you’re franchising for the first time or managing a national network, we offer legal advice that’s grounded in operational reality.

We assist with:

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• Franchise agreements & disclosure documents

• Franchising Code of Conduct compliance

• Franchise recruitment strategy & on-boarding

• Dispute prevention and resolution

• Terminations, renewals & transfers

• Multi-unit and master franchise structuring

• Reviewing franchise models​

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Our experienced construction lawyers provide tailored legal advice for residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects across Australia.​

We regularly advise:

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• Residential and commercial builders

• Subcontractors and trades

• Developers and project managers

• Architects, engineers and consultants

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We know how to read the fine print and anticipate the red flags—especially when it comes to retail leases.

We handle:

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• Retail and commercial lease review and negotiation

• Disclosure compliance under Victorian leasing law

• Exit strategies, make-good disputes and assignments

• Lease enforcement and litigation support

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Whether it’s your first hire or managing a team across locations, we’ll help you balance protection and practicality.

We advise on:

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• Employment contracts and contractor agreements

• Performance management and termination

• Award interpretation and compliance

• Workplace policies and procedures

• Restraints, confidentiality and post-employment risk

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We’re calm in the storm, and strategic in the courtroom. We resolve commercial disputes with a clear plan, not posturing.

We act in:

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• Contractual and franchising disputes

• Lease disputes and property-related claims

• Debt recovery and enforcement

• Strategic pre-litigation advice

• Negotiation, mediation and court proceedings

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Your IP is the foundation of your brand, your goodwill, and your commercial edge. We help you safeguard your intellectual property from the moment it’s created, so you can grow with confidence.

We advise on:

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• Trade Mark Registration (Australia & International)

• Drafting and negotiating licensing agreements.

• Practical protection for ideas in early-stage conversations, joint ventures, or R&D environments.

• Early risk assessments, cease-and-desist letters, and litigation support when your IP is under threat.

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Your data and privacy practices are essential to maintaining trust and compliance in today’s digital landscape. We help you protect personal information and navigate privacy laws so your business can operate securely and confidently.

We advise on:

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• Privacy policy drafting and review

• Data protection compliance audits

• Privacy impact assessments

• Data breach response and notification

• Privacy training and governance programs

• Cross-border data transfer agreements

• Privacy complaint investigations

• Regulatory compliance advice

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Your corporate structure, governance, and compliance are critical to your business success. We help you establish, manage, and adapt your corporate framework so your business can operate efficiently and grow with confidence.

We advise on:

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• Company incorporations and registrations

• Corporate governance and compliance

• Director and officer duties advice

• Shareholder agreements and disputes

• Corporate restructuring and reorganization

• Board advisory services

• Regulatory reporting and compliance

• Corporate transaction support

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​Your will and estate plan are vital to protecting your legacy and your family’s future. We help you create, manage, and administer tailored strategies that safeguard your wishes and minimise risks. With our guidance, you can plan with certainty and peace of mind.

We advise on:

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• Comprehensive Will Preparation

• Estate Planning Strategy

• Business Succession Planning

• Family Trust Establishment and Management

• Probate and Estate Administration

• Powers of Attorney and Guardianship

• Estate Dispute Resolution

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