Contract Lawyer
Our contract lawyers help businesses and individuals review, advise on, and manage legal risk in contracts before problems arise.
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2,000 +
We’ve helped over 2,000 companies scale, advising on the deals, hires, and legal frameworks behind expansion, funding, and ownership.
40 Years
With 40 years of experience, we’ve all seen the challenges you’re facing. We’ll help you avoid the mistakes others have made.
When Should You Speak To A Contract Lawyer?
Getting legal input early can prevent costly disputes, protect your position, and give you confidence before you commit to any contract. Our contract lawyer team regularly advises in the following situations:
Before signing a contract you did not draft
When a contract feels one-sided or unclear
If key terms are not explained in plain English
When negotiating changes to contract terms
How Lazarus Legal Contract Lawyers Help
Our contract lawyer team provides clear, practical advice grounded in Australian contract law, so you can make informed decisions with confidence.
We do not just review contracts for surface-level issues. Our lawyers assess how contracts operate under the law, where legal and commercial risks arise, and how those risks affect your position in practice.
When advising on contracts, our lawyers help by:
- Identifying legal and commercial risks under Australian contract law before they escalate into disputes
- Explaining key terms, obligations, and consequences in plain English
- Highlighting clauses that may expose you to unnecessary liability or unenforceable outcomes
- Advising on negotiation points that can materially improve your position
- Providing guidance where contracts intersect with broader commercial issues
Whether you need clarity before signing a contract, support during negotiations, or advice when something has gone wrong, our contract lawyers take a practical approach grounded in Australian legal framework to protect your interests.
Types of Contracts We Advise On
Our contract lawyers review and advise on a wide range of commercial and personal agreements. Below are the most common contract types we work with and the key risks we help identify.
| Contract Type | Key Risks Our Contract Lawyers Assess |
|---|---|
| Commercial contracts | Enforceability of core obligations, allocation of risk between parties, limitation and exclusion of liability clauses, termination rights, dispute resolution mechanisms, and whether the contract terms reflect the commercial intent of the arrangement. |
| Service agreements | Scope of services, performance standards, payment terms, termination for convenience, liability exposure for service failures, and gaps between what is promised commercially and what is legally required. |
| Employment contracts | Compliance with Australian employment law, termination provisions, notice periods, restraint of trade clauses, confidentiality obligations, and risks arising from inconsistent or unfair contract terms. |
| Independent contractor agreements | Contractor versus employee classification risk, control and delegation provisions, intellectual property ownership, liability allocation, and compliance with sham contracting laws. |
| Supplier and vendor contracts | Supply obligations, delivery and acceptance terms, pricing adjustments, risk of delays or non-performance, indemnities, and remedies available if contractual obligations are not met. |
| Partnership agreements | Decision-making authority, profit and loss allocation, exit mechanisms, dispute resolution processes, and risks arising from unclear responsibilities or roles between partners. |
| Shareholder agreements | Minority shareholder protections, transfer restrictions, deadlock provisions, director powers, exit strategies, and alignment with the company constitution. |
| Confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements | Scope of confidential information, permitted disclosures, duration of obligations, enforceability of restraints, and practical remedies if confidentiality obligations are breached. |
Contract Advice for Businesses and Individuals
We provide contract advice for one-off matters and ongoing commercial relationships. Whether you’re reviewing a single agreement or managing multiple contracts across your business, our contract lawyer team gives you clarity on what you’re signing and what happens next.
Some contract matters form part of broader commercial issues. We work with you to understand the full context and provide advice that makes sense for your situation.
I’ve worked with Lazarus Legal on several matters and have always been impressed with the level of service provided. They are professional and knowledgeable, and take the time to explain things clearly, which makes the whole process much less stressful. They have helped us with some important contracts as well as different trademarks, and every interaction has been professional and positive.
Lazarus Legal recently assisted me with preparing my contract and I couldn’t be more pleased with their service. They were thorough, professional and explained everything in a way that was easy to understand. Communication was prompt and they make sure every detail was handled with care. I highly recommend their services to anyone needing reliable legal support. 🙂
Best of the best. Professional, prompt and always offering excellent advice. I’ve used Mark and his team for multiple businesses from a tech start up to more established businesses. Mark has advised on employee contracts, shareholders agreements, trade marks and more. I wouldn’t use any other legal service provider.
- Before you sign anything
Get Clear Contract Advice First
Your Questions Answered By Our Contract Lawyer Team
What is a contract lawyer?
A contract lawyer advises on the legal and commercial risks in contracts before you sign them. They review agreements for enforceability issues, unfair terms, and missing protections. Contract lawyers also negotiate amendments, explain your obligations, and help you understand what happens if the contract is breached or terminated. Some contract lawyers also draft new agreements from scratch, though many focus on reviewing contracts prepared by others.
Can I make a contract without a lawyer?
Yes. Contracts are legally binding without a lawyer’s involvement as long as they meet the required elements. Many everyday contracts, like terms and conditions or standard supplier agreements, are signed without legal advice. The risk is that you may not understand your obligations, you may have agreed to unfair terms, or the contract may be unclear or unenforceable when disputes arise.
Do contract lawyers go to court?
Most contract lawyers focus on advisory work, reviewing and negotiating agreements before contract disputes arise. Some contract lawyers also represent clients in litigation if a contract is breached or if a dispute proceeds to court. Many contract disputes are resolved through negotiation or mediation without court involvement. If court action is necessary, contract lawyers with litigation experience can run the case or work with barristers depending on complexity.
When should I get contract advice?
Get contract advice before signing any agreement you did not draft, especially if it involves significant money, long-term obligations, or business operations. You should also speak to a contract lawyer when terms are unclear, when the other party refuses to negotiate, or when you are unsure about your rights under an existing contract. Early advice is cheaper than fixing problems after you have signed.
How do I choose a contract lawyer?
Look for a contract lawyer with specific experience in Australian contract law and the type of agreement you’re dealing with, whether that’s commercial contracts, employment agreements, or shareholder arrangements. Check whether they have advised businesses similar to yours and whether they can explain legal risks in plain English without relying on jargon. Ask about their approach to contract reviews, whether they focus only on legal compliance or also consider commercial outcomes and practical enforceability.
A good contract lawyer should understand common law principles, relevant Australian legislation, and how courts interpret contracts in your industry. Experience handling disputes or negotiations is also valuable, as it shows they understand what happens when contracts fail.