Commercial Lawyer
We identify ownership risks, assess liability exposure, and forecast long-term costs before commercial decisions lock in consequences you can’t reverse.
Secure Your Legal Advantage
500+
Your brand deserves to be yours, no question. Join 500+ others who’ve secured trade marks built to grow, scale, and stand out globally.
$10M +
With over $10 million recovered, our clients move forward with renewed clarity, free from delays, distractions, and the weight of unresolved matters.
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 Do You Need A Commercial Lawyer?
A commercial lawyer handles the legal side of running and growing your business, from everyday contracts to major transactions. You need one when standard templates leave gaps in protection, when the stakes are too high to guess, or when the other side has their own legal team across the table. Our commercial lawyers Sydney team regularly works with founders and business owners facing the following scenarios:
You're negotiating a major supply or distribution agreement
A business partner wants to exit and you need a buyout structure
You're raising capital and investors are sending term sheets
A client dispute is escalating and you need enforcement options
You're expanding into new markets or opening additional locations
A competitor or former employee may have breached confidentiality obligations
You're restructuring ownership or bringing in new shareholders
Your business has outgrown its original structure and agreements
The Commercial Law Team Built For NSW Founders
Mark Lazarus founded this firm after serving as Legal Director at Monster Energy, where he managed commercial contracts across Australian operations. Since 2019, we’ve advised over 2,000 NSW founders and handled 160+ capital raises for startups scaling from idea to Series A. We’ve negotiated exits, defended breach claims, and recovered six figures in disputed contract terms. Our commercial lawyers Sydney practice focuses on businesses that need practical advice, not just legal opinions.
How Our Commercial Lawyer Approach Works
We don’t just review documents for compliance. We identify which clauses actually protect you when relationships break down, whether your termination rights give you leverage during disputes, and if your IP provisions cover everything your business creates. Every engagement includes assessment of Australian Consumer Law exposure, competition law risks, and whether your agreements will hold up when tested. Our commercial law team provides the same level of protection we’d demand for our own businesses.
Legal Capabilities
Contract drafting & review
Business Structuring & Advisory
Shareholder & partnership agreements
Commercial negotiation & deal support
Mergers, Acquisitions & exits
Intellectual property & licensing
Employment & contractor agreements
Regulatory & compliance advisory
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.
We used Lazarus Legal for a capital raise and some related corporate work, and they were excellent from start to finish. Straight-talking, responsive, and commercially minded — exactly what you want in a lawyer. They kept things moving, explained the options clearly, and made what could have been a drawn-out process quick and stress-free. Highly recommend.
Lazarus Legal is amazing. Absolute game changers. A friendly and dynamic team with fabulous offices. Good listeners with genuine knowledge of all sectors. Fast thinkers and really take the time to understand your business. What I love most is they work with and wholeheartedly encourage startups. Highly recommend. A ++
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Questions To Ask Your Commercial Lawyer
What is a commercial lawyer?
A commercial lawyer advises businesses on legal matters related to operations, transactions, and growth. This includes drafting and reviewing contracts, handling shareholder agreements, managing regulatory compliance, negotiating deals, and resolving business disputes. Commercial law covers everything from supplier terms to business acquisitions, IP protection to partnership structures. The role differs from general practice lawyers who handle multiple areas; commercial lawyers focus specifically on business legal needs. In NSW, commercial lawyers must understand both Commonwealth and state regulations that affect trading businesses.
Do commercial lawyers go to court?
Most commercial lawyers rarely go to court because commercial disputes typically settle through negotiation, mediation, or arbitration. When litigation does occur, commercial lawyers often work with barristers who specialize in courtroom advocacy, while the commercial lawyer manages strategy and documentation. However, some commercial lawyers do appear in lower courts for urgent injunctions, debt recovery, or enforcement proceedings. The focus is usually on preventing disputes through proper contracts and resolving issues before they reach litigation. Court proceedings are expensive and disruptive to business, so experienced commercial law practitioners prioritize commercial solutions over legal battles.
How much does a commercial lawyer cost in Sydney?
Commercial lawyers Sydney typically charge between $300-$600 per hour depending on experience and complexity, though some firms offer fixed fees for standard matters like contract reviews or shareholder agreements. Simple contract reviews might cost $800-$2,000, while complex transactions like business acquisitions can run $10,000-$50,000+. Many commercial lawyers offer initial consultations to scope work and provide fee estimates before engagement. At Lazarus Legal, we provide transparent pricing upfront so you can budget appropriately. The real cost isn’t the legal fee; it’s the exposure you carry without proper documentation.
What is the difference between a commercial lawyer and a business lawyer?
The terms are often used interchangeably, though “commercial lawyer” typically emphasizes transactional work and contract law, while “business lawyer” can cover broader operational matters including employment, property, and compliance. In practice, both handle similar matters for trading businesses. What matters more than the title is the lawyer’s actual experience with businesses like yours. Our startup attorney practice, for instance, focuses on early-stage commercial law issues that differ significantly from established corporate work. The label matters less than whether the lawyer understands your specific industry, growth stage, and risk profile.
When should you engage a commercial lawyer for your startup?
Engage a commercial lawyer before you formalize any significant business relationship, not after problems emerge. Critical moments include bringing on co-founders, issuing equity to early team members, signing your first major client contract, raising capital from investors, or hiring your first employees. Early-stage businesses often use templates or handshake deals to save costs, then discover gaps when disputes arise or investors conduct due diligence. The ASIC requires certain corporate actions to be properly documented, and investors will walk away from deals with messy cap tables or unclear ownership. Preventive legal work costs a fraction of fixing problems later.