Small Business Lawyer — Sydney
We establish company structures, draft shareholder agreements, and resolve business disputes before unclear ownership, missing contracts, or tax compliance issues put your small business at risk.
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 Small Business Lawyer?
A small business lawyer handles entity formation, contracts, disputes, and compliance issues that protect your company before problems escalate. You need one when choosing between sole trader and company structures, when verbal agreements need legal backing, or when regulatory requirements threaten penalties. Our small business lawyer Sydney team typically assists with the following scenarios:
You're registering a company or changing your business structure
A supplier, landlord, or client sent you a contract to sign
You're formalizing partnerships or bringing on investors
You're hiring employees and need compliant employment agreements
The Lawyer For Business Sydney Founders Call When Stakes Are High
Our team is led by Mark Lazarus, who served as Legal Director at Monster Energy before founding Lazarus Legal. We’ve advised over 2,000 Australian founders and facilitated 160+ NSW capital raises. Our lawyers for small business have resolved shareholder disputes that threatened company control, structured entities that reduced tax exposure by 30%, and negotiated settlements that kept businesses operating through partnership breakdowns without litigation costs.
Why Choose Lazarus Legal For Your Small Business
Our small business lawyers don’t just react to problems. We assess whether proprietary limited structure protects you better than sole trader status, review your existing contracts for enforceability gaps, and identify compliance risks before ASIC or Fair Work sends notices.
Every engagement includes specific advice on director duties, whether your business structure exposes personal assets to company debts, and how your vendor agreements protect against supply chain failures. We also connect you with accountants when tax structuring requires coordinated legal and financial planning. We prioritize prevention over expensive litigation.
What Permits And Contracts Do Sydney Small Businesses Need?
At Lazarus Legal, our team of small business lawyers assists business owners and startup founders from registration to operation.
Permits and Registrations
- Australian Business Number (ABN) through the Australian Taxation Office
- ASIC company registration for proprietary limited companies
- GST registration if annual turnover exceeds $75,000
- Business name registration through ASIC
- Industry-specific licenses (food handling, building contractor, security)
- PAYG withholding registration for employers
- WorkCover insurance for businesses with employees
- Council development approvals for commercial premises
Operational Contracts
- Employment agreements covering duties, pay, and termination rights
- Vendor agreements with suppliers for goods or services
- Client service agreements outlining scope, fees, and timelines
- Commercial lease agreements for office or retail space
- Shareholder agreements for multi-owner businesses
- Independent contractor agreements distinguishing from employees
- Confidentiality agreements (NDAs) for sensitive information
- Intellectual property assignment agreements for creative work
We’ve worked with Lazarus Legal on several matters and couldn’t be happier with the professionalism, clarity, and strategic support they’ve provided throughout. Most notably, they guided us through a complex trademark application, offering expert insight and genuine commitment to getting the outcome we needed.
- Starting or restructuring?
Get The Legal Foundation Right
Common Questions We Get At Our Small Business Lawyer Sydney Office
Do I need a lawyer for my small business?
You need a small business lawyer when choosing your business structure, when contracts govern significant relationships, or when disputes threaten operations. Most NSW small businesses require legal help during formation (deciding between sole trader, partnership, or company structures), when hiring staff (employment contracts and Fair Work compliance), and when formalizing supplier or customer relationships. Lawyers also handle business disputes involving contract breaches, partnership breakdowns, or debt recovery. The cost of prevention is typically 10-20% of what litigation or regulatory penalties demand.
How much does a lawyer cost for a small business?
Small business lawyers in Sydney typically charge $300-$600 per hour depending on experience and matter complexity. Company registration and structure advice costs $1,500-$3,500 including ASIC fees. Contract reviews for standard supplier agreements run $500-$1,500, while shareholder agreements range from $2,500-$8,000. Business dispute resolution varies widely: mediation preparation costs $2,000-$5,000, while litigation can exceed $50,000. Most firms offer fixed-fee arrangements for defined scopes like employment contract templates or trademark applications. Retainer arrangements suit businesses with regular legal needs. Always request a cost agreement upfront outlining fees, disbursements, and billing practices as required under NSW legal practice regulations.
What business structure should I choose for my small business?
Most NSW small businesses choose between sole trader, partnership, or proprietary limited (Pty Ltd) company structures. Sole traders suit low-risk service businesses but expose personal assets to business debts. Companies provide asset protection and tax planning flexibility but require ASIC registration, annual reviews, and director compliance with the Corporations Act. Partnerships work for professional practices but need strong partnership agreements since each partner is liable for the others’ business actions. Trusts add complexity but offer asset protection and income distribution benefits for family businesses. Your choice depends on liability risk, tax situation, and growth plans. Consult ASIC’s structure comparison tool alongside legal and accounting advice tailored to your circumstances.
How do shareholder agreements protect small business co-founders?
Shareholder agreements document equity splits, decision-making rights, exit terms and share transfer restrictions that prevent disputes when co-founders disagree or someone wants to leave. Without one, you’re relying on Corporations Act default rules that rarely match what co-founders actually agreed to verbally. The agreement covers deadlock procedures, protects minority shareholders from being forced out, and sets valuation methods for buyouts. Most co-founder disputes stem from unclear expectations around roles, ownership and exits that a properly drafted agreement removes before relationships fracture.
How to find a good small business lawyer?
Look for lawyers who specialize in commercial law and regularly work with businesses at your stage. Check their experience with your specific needs (company formation, contract disputes, employment law). Ask how many matters like yours they’ve handled and what outcomes they achieved. Good business lawyers for small business explain complex issues in plain language, respond promptly to questions, and provide fixed fees for standard work. Request references from similar-sized businesses. Verify they hold current practicing certificates through the Law Society of NSW. The right fit combines technical expertise with communication style that matches how you operate.