Business and commercial law

Running or starting a business? We can help with sales and purchases, leases and franchise agreements, as well as intellectual property and employment and contract matters.

Buying or selling a business

Buying, selling or merging a business is an important and often complex transaction.

We can help you with:

how the deal should be structured – e.g. an asset or share sale/purchase
due diligence
dealing with employment issues arising from a sale/purchase/merger
drafting the sale/purchase agreement
completing settlement.

Starting a business

If you’re starting a new venture, we can help you with:

choosing the best legal structure for your business (sole trader, partnership, company, trading trust or limited partnership)
structuring your business and affairs to minimise your personal liability
forming a company and drafting your key company documents, such as the company constitution and any shareholder agreements.

Business contracts

Well-drafted, enforceable contracts reduce risk to your business and give you greater legal certainty.

We can advise on and draft all kinds of business agreements, including:

lease or sale and purchase agreements
supply contracts
terms of trade
licences
franchise agreements
employment agreements
IT computer contracts
distribution agreements
financing and security arrangements
guarantees.

Employment law

Employment law can be tricky and it’s changing all the time. We have the experience and the up-to-date knowledge to act for employees and employers at all levels – including mediation and the Employment Relations Authority.