Corporate & Commercial Lawyers
Strategic corporate & commercial legal advice for private companies, family businesses & investors across Australia.
- Clear risk mitigation to reduce liability across your organisation
- Bespoke commercial contracts & agreements to protect your financial interests
- Practical corporate governance frameworks to manage complex director duties
- Accessible day-to-day advisory for private companies & scaling startups
Our Corporate & Commercial Services
We provide expert legal advice to protect your financial interests, manage complex director duties & facilitate growth across the full lifecycle of your business, including:
01. Liability & Risk Management
We assess your physical operations & digital footprint to identify vulnerabilities & minimise legal liability before disputes arise, covering:
- Auditing consumer data flows & privacy compliance for digital businesses.
- Reviewing product liability & consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law.
- Identifying operational risks across your supply chains & physical premises.
02. General Commercial Contracts
We draft & negotiate the foundational commercial contracts that secure your supply chains & protect your revenue streams, such as:
- Drafting bespoke terms and conditions, service agreements & distribution contracts.
- Negotiating supplier agreements to lock in pricing & delivery obligations.
- Reviewing software licences, IP assignments & technology agreements.
03. Shareholder & Partnership Agreements
We structure clear agreements between equity holders to lock in voting rights, manage expectations & prevent future disputes, including:
- Drafting bespoke shareholder, partnership & unitholder agreements.
- Structuring clear exit strategies, buy-sell provisions & drag-along rights.
- Defining dividend policies, capital raising rules & dispute resolution mechanisms.
04. Corporate Governance & Board Advisory
We implement strict corporate governance frameworks to help senior management & company directors navigate their statutory duties, covering:
- Advising on director liabilities & compliance obligations under the Corporations Act.
- Drafting board charters, company constitutions & governance policies.
- Guiding boards through sensitive regulatory investigations & shareholder meetings.
05. Ongoing Advisory Retainers
We act as an accessible legal partner to manage your daily commercial issues & strategic board decisions, providing:
- Reviewing day-to-day commercial contracts & vendor agreements.
- Advising on workplace relations, employee agreements & contractor risks.
- Delivering fast-turnaround legal advice for urgent operational matters.
06. Business Structuring & Asset Protection
We establish the appropriate legal structure to insulate your hard-earned wealth from commercial risks & personal liabilities, including:
- Setting up dual-entity structures to separate operating risks from core assets.
- Establishing discretionary trusts, unit trusts & holding companies.
- Implementing secured debt strategies & personal property securities (PPSR) protection.
07. Mergers, Acquisitions & Disposals
We manage the complete sale of business or acquisition process from initial due diligence through to final settlement, such as:
- Conducting rigorous legal due diligence on target companies & assets.
- Drafting & negotiating share purchase & asset sale agreements.
- Managing post-completion integration, employee transfers & warranty claims.
Who We Act For
GRM LAW’s corporate & commercial lawyers understand how businesses are structured, scaled & protected – and act as long-term counsel to a broad range of commercial clients, including:
Private Companies & SMEs
Established Australian enterprises managing supply chains, workplace relations & complex commercial contracts during growth phases.
Family-Owned Businesses
Multi-generational organisations navigating complex succession planning, internal corporate governance & the transfer of significant business assets.
Startups & Founders
Early-stage innovators building an appropriate legal structure, securing intellectual property & preparing for major capital raises.
eCommerce & Digital Businesses
Online retailers & tech platforms navigating consumer data flows, digital transactions & competition and consumer law.
Creative & Entertainment Ventures
Theatres, recording studios & creative agencies handling complex intellectual property, talent negotiations & strict licence conditions.
Property Developers & Real Estate Funds
Entities executing large-scale property development projects, structuring joint ventures & managing significant commercial property portfolios.
Private Lenders & Non-Bank Financiers
Credit funds & financial institutions issuing complex loan agreements, managing security stacks & enforcing secured debts.
High-Net-Worth Individuals & Investors
Sophisticated private backers deploying capital into major commercial matters, managing personal liabilities & structuring complex asset portfolios.
Speak With Our Corporate & Commercial Lawyers
Our corporate & commercial lawyers will contact you to discuss your situation & outline next steps.
What Our Clients Say
How The Process Works
01.
Initial Commercial Assessment
We audit your physical footprint, digital operations & corporate structure to expose hidden legal liabilities.
02.
Strategy & Structuring
We map the exact commercial contracts, corporate governance frameworks & structural changes required to protect your assets.
03.
Drafting & Implementation
Our commercial lawyers draft & negotiate your foundational agreements to secure your operations & enforce strict protections.
04.
Ongoing Advisory Partnership
We manage your daily legal matters & provide continuous corporate & commercial advice to secure your organisation.
Speak With Our Corporate & Commercial Lawyers
Our corporate & commercial lawyers will contact you to discuss your situation & outline next steps.
Why Choose GRM LAW
01. Commercially Focused Outcomes
Our commercial lawyers deliver practical legal advice that resolves complex commercial issues & directly protects your financial interests.
02. Full Lifecycle Support
Our expert team guides your organisation from startup establishment through to a final sale of business to ensure complete strategic alignment & continuity of advice.
03. Proactive Risk Mitigation
We identify hidden vulnerabilities in your corporate governance & commercial contracts to neutralise legal risks before they disrupt your daily operations.
04. National Reach With Boutique Service
You receive the extensive experience of a national corporate law firm combined with the direct accessibility & dedicated focus of a highly skilled commercial team.
Meet Gavin McInnes
As the founding partner of GRM LAW, Gavin McInnes brings nearly 20 years of experience as a corporate & commercial lawyer advising private companies, business owners & high net worth individuals. He provides expert legal advice to help businesses structure for growth, negotiate complex commercial contracts & establish robust corporate governance frameworks.
- Accredited Specialist in Business Law & recognised in Doyle’s Best Lawyers Awards
- Advised on major industry roll-ups, including assisting Greencross Vets to acquire over 130 practices
- Author of Protect Your Assets, a practical Australian guide to business structuring & asset protection
Gavin leverages his extensive experience to deliver practical, commercially focused outcomes that protect your financial interests & secure your organisation.
Representative Commercial Property & Precinct Experience
We support commercial developers, funds & agency groups on major office, retail & mixed‑use assets, including:
307 Queen Street, Brisbane (A$113m acquisition; A$141m sale)
Acting for GDI Property Group on the acquisition and later sale of this Brisbane office tower.
50 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Acting for GDI Property Group on the acquisition of this Gold Coast office building.
235 Stanley Place, Townsville
Acting for GDI Property Group on the acquisition of this Townsville office property.
215 Adelaide Street & 235 Edward Street, Brisbane
Due diligence work for the acquisition of two Brisbane CBD office properties.
10 Market Street, Brisbane
Commercial strata arrangements for a multi‑tenancy commercial building.
Place Real Estate
Acquisitions and restructurings for a leading Brisbane real estate & commercial property group.
Recognition & Awards
Corporate & Commercial Essentials
Identifying Business Risks
Every business carries hidden operational & digital vulnerabilities. These structural blind spots often expose companies to severe financial liability.
Regular legal assessments help identify these threats before they escalate. GRM LAW’s commercial lawyers can help you map these risks & implement protective strategies.
Structuring For Protection
Operating under the wrong corporate entity directly threatens your personal wealth. The correct legal structure separates your private assets from commercial activities.
This separation aims to insulate your family from unexpected litigation or insolvency. GRM LAW can advise on an appropriate legal structure to help protect your hard-earned assets.
Managing Board Governance
Company directors face strict statutory duties under Australian corporate law. Failing to meet these obligations often results in severe personal penalties.
Growing firms require formal governance frameworks to manage these complex compliance obligations. GRM LAW’s corporate lawyers can help your board implement safe & effective management protocols.
Navigating Commercial Contracts
Relying on generic or outdated agreements creates significant hidden liabilities. Every commercial relationship requires clear terms regarding rights & obligations.
Bespoke drafting aims to prevent costly disputes by addressing your specific operational realities. GRM LAW’s commercial team can help negotiate & draft contracts that protect your commercial interests.
Speak With Our Corporate & Commercial Lawyers
Our corporate & commercial lawyers will contact you to discuss your situation & outline next steps.
Legal & Compliance Insights
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need A Formal Shareholder Agreement For My Private Company?
Yes, a formal agreement is highly recommended to lock in voting rights & outline clear exit strategies for equity holders. Without one, you risk costly disputes if a founder leaves or disagreements arise over business direction. Speak with our corporate & commercial lawyers to draft an agreement tailored to your structure.
What Does An Ongoing Advisory Retainer With GRM LAW Look Like?
Our retained legal services act as an accessible, day-to-day legal partner for your private company or family-owned business. We manage daily legal matters, board decisions & commercial contracts to help keep your operations running securely. This allows you to focus on growth while we proactively mitigate your legal risks.
How Does GRM LAW Assess The Legal Risks Of A New Client?
We start with an initial commercial assessment that audits your physical footprint, digital operations & corporate structure. This process helps expose hidden legal liabilities so we can map the exact commercial contracts & corporate governance frameworks required to protect your assets. Contact our commercial team to arrange your initial review.
Will We Work Directly With A Partner On Our Commercial Matters?
Yes, you will work directly with experienced senior lawyers like our founding partner, Gavin McInnes. Our boutique approach aims to ensure that high-level expertise is actively applied to your strategic commercial matters rather than being delegated entirely to juniors.
How Do Commercial Contracts Protect My Business From Liability?
Bespoke commercial contracts protect your financial interests by clearly defining the rights & obligations of all parties involved in your supply chains or transactions. Relying on generic templates often leaves hidden vulnerabilities, whereas tailored agreements are designed to insulate your business from operational risks.
How Do You Charge For Corporate & Commercial Advisory Work?
We provide transparent engagement terms with clear scope & pricing agreed upon upfront before we commence any drafting or advisory work. This approach helps ensure you have commercial certainty without unexpected costs. Contact us to discuss the specific legal requirements for your organisation.
How Quickly Can GRM LAW Turn Around Urgent Commercial Contracts?
We are highly responsive & accustomed to managing tight commercial deadlines for fast-paced deals. Our efficient processes are designed to ensure quick turnaround times without compromising on legal rigor or proactive risk mitigation.
When Should A Growing Business Consider Corporate Restructuring?
You should generally consider restructuring when preparing for a major capital raise, bringing on new partners, or needing better asset protection. Establishing the appropriate legal structure helps insulate your hard-earned wealth & business assets from litigation risks as you scale.
Do You Collaborate With Your Existing Accountants & Financial Advisors?
Yes, we seamlessly integrate with your broader advisory team to align our legal advice with your financial strategies. This collaborative approach helps ensure that your corporate structures & commercial agreements work perfectly with your tax & wealth management goals.
What Is The Difference Between Corporate Governance & Basic Compliance?
Basic compliance involves merely meeting baseline statutory obligations, whereas corporate governance implements strategic board frameworks for better, safer business management. Practical corporate governance helps manage complex director duties & neutralises legal risks before they disrupt your daily operations.
Books By Gavin McInnes
Practical guides on structuring, asset protection and private credit in Australia.
Protect Your Assets
A plain‑English guide to protecting your home, business interests and investments under Australian law. Written for business owners, professionals and families who want to keep what they’ve built safe from avoidable risk.
Private Credit In Australia (Coming Soon)
A forthcoming guide to structuring, documenting and managing private credit transactions in the Australian market, written for lenders, sponsors and their advisers.
Explore Our Other Practice Areas
Deep expertise across corporate, banking & finance, property and related commercial work.
Private Lenders & Non‑Bank Finance
Strategic loan, security & enforcement advice for private credit funds, family offices & non‑bank lenders across Australia.
Property Developers & Projects
End‑to‑end legal support for property developers from site acquisition & approvals through to construction, sales, leasing & disputes.
Business Acquisitions & Disposals
Buy‑side & sell‑side advice on business and share sales, from initial structuring and due diligence through to completion.
Corporate & Commercial Advisory
Ongoing corporate, governance & commercial contracts advice for private companies, family businesses & investors.
Structuring & Asset Protection
Structuring businesses, investments & personal wealth to manage risk, protect assets and support long‑term succession.
Franchising
Establishing, growing & restructuring franchise networks, including franchise agreements, disclosure, compliance & exits.
IP & Technology
Protecting and commercialising intellectual property, software & technology through tailored licensing, development & sale agreements.
Real Estate Funds & Capital Raising
Advising real estate fund managers, sponsors & investors on fund structures, capital raisings & transaction execution across Australia.
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