no-nonsense Business lawyers in Brunswick and preston
Straight Talking Lawyers
We are no-nonsense commercial lawyers who talk straight with our clients and tough with our opponents.
Our legal services are high quality, our advice is clear, and we charge fairly. Our clients have direct access to their lawyer, not just their assistant.
We are a reliable established firm in the Northern suburbs offering a refreshingly direct approach to the practice of law. Each of our lawyers works exclusively in one practice area and comes to our firm with substantial experience.
Our clients can expect to:
Business Lawyers
We work with small and large business to provide commercially-minded advice and representation in relation to business purchases, business sales, business structures, commercial leases, security documentation, shareholders’ agreements and other commercial contracts.
Matthew Elvin is an experienced Melbourne business lawyer who has been advising and representing clients at all stages of their commercial ventures since 2012. He can help you map out the legal aspects of a plan to grow your business while protecting your assets. He can also advise and represent you in commercial litigation, Court proceedings, and dispute resolution processes.
Business structure matters
A sole trader is an individual who is personally liable for the business. This is the most cost effective and simple structure. However, it does not easily accommodate for future growth, allow for flexibility, protect personal assets, or provide the tax benefits of other structures.
A partnership is two or more individuals or entities conducting a business together. Although a partnership offers more flexibility than a sole trader structure, the partners are still personally liable for the business. The extent of the liability depends on whether the partnership is a general partnership, a limited partnership, or an incorporated limited partnership. A partnership can also be a partnership of companies, discussed below. We advise clients on the risks and benefits of the sole trader and partnership structures.
Due Diligence
If you are the purchaser, due diligence is an integral part of your purchase. This is the investigation of the business for sale and the seller to minimise the purchaser’s risks. Due diligence generally involves verifying the banking and financial position of the business, valuing the business, reviewing the important contracts associated with the business, verifying the corporate ownership structure, verifying the ownership of business assets including information technology and intellectual property rights, verifying the employees and suppliers, investigating any legal proceedings involving the business, and verifying its compliance with regulatory requirements. You usually do due diligence after you have negotiated contract terms, but prior to signing the sale of business contract. We can assist you to complete your due diligence.
Lease negotiations
Negotiable terms in a commercial lease include duration, options to renew, annual rent increases, market rent reviews, permitted use, liability for land tax, and whether the Retail Leases Act is to apply. It can be daunting for both tenant and landlord. We can identify the risks and benefits to you of a lease and advise you on terms to better protect your interests. We can also negotiate on your behalf.
With offices in Brunswick and Preston, Elvin Lawyers is a firm of like minded lawyers brought together by a passion for justice, a no-nonsense approach to legal practice, and a genuine desire to do better for our clients.
Jackie Smith, Louie Elsoukmani, Matthew Elvin and Jason Falzon are seasoned lawyers, equally as comfortable in the heat of litigation as they are in crafting meticulous agreements.
“In the absence of clear and satisfactory proof, the court cannot be satisfied that the deceased knew and approved of the contents of the Will.” – Judge McMillan, 17 May 2021