Best Law Firms Australia

Best Commercial & Business Lawyers in Australia

Updated 22 September 2026

Compare commercial and business lawyers in 6 Australian cities, ranked on commercial law experience, public client reviews and professional standing. A commercial lawyer drafts and negotiates business contracts, advises on company structures, buys and sells businesses, resolves commercial disputes and advises on insolvency under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and the Australian Consumer Law.

The first step for most businesses is to gather the documents that govern the matter: the contract, terms of trade, lease or constitution, and any correspondence about the issue. A lawyer can then advise on rights and deadlines, such as the 21 days a company has to deal with a statutory demand. Our ranking method is set out in how we rank law firms.

Editor's picks

Chosen by our editors from verified facts and always labelled. Shown separately from the data-ranked list. How we rank law firms

Editor's pick #1Commercial law firm

FAL Lawyers

★★★★★ 4.8 (41 Google reviews, Melbourne (600 Bourke St))

FAL Lawyers is a commercial law firm in Melbourne and Canberra, founded in 1993, acting for corporate, not-for-profit and government clients.

  • Offices in Melbourne (Level 45, 600 Bourke Street) and Canberra.
  • Founded in 1993, originally focused on technology and intellectual property law.
  • Now also acts in corporate and commercial law, insolvency, litigation, education, health and public sector matters.

Melbourne VICCanberra ACT

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Editor's pick #2Law firm

Pearce Webster Dugdales

★★★★★ 4.6 (54 Google reviews, Southbank (99 Queens Bridge St))

Pearce Webster Dugdales is a Melbourne law firm, incorporating the former practice Tolhurst Druce & Emmerson, acting in family law, wills and estates, property and commercial matters.

  • Office at Unit 1, 99 Queens Bridge Street, Southbank VIC 3006, with family law appointments in Geelong.
  • Several of its lawyers are accredited specialists with the Law Institute of Victoria.
  • Google rating 4.6 from 54 reviews (Google Maps, September 2026).

Southbank VICGeelong VIC

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Editor's pick #3Law firm

Sanicki Lawyers

★★★★★ 4.9 (67 Google reviews, Prahran (Regent St))

Sanicki Lawyers is a boutique firm with offices in Prahran, Melbourne and Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, acting in commercial, dispute resolution, defamation, intellectual property and entertainment matters.

  • Offices at 9 Regent Street, Prahran VIC and in Fortitude Valley QLD.
  • Acts in litigation and dispute resolution, business and commercial law, employment law, intellectual property, defamation and liquor licensing.
  • Its franchising practice is led by an accredited specialist in franchising law.

Prahran VICFortitude Valley QLD

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Editor's pick #4Law firm and notary public

AM Legal

★★★★★ 5.0 (5 Google reviews, Aldinga (Old Coach Rd))

AM Legal is a South Australian law firm in Aldinga, practising since 2007, with family law, estate planning and commercial services and a notary public service.

  • Office at 29 Old Coach Road, Aldinga SA 5173.
  • Practising since 2007.
  • Offers notarial services for documents to be used in Australia and overseas.

Aldinga SA

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Editor's pick #5Law firm

Chaina & Sim Lawyers

Sydney NSW

Chaina & Sim Lawyers is a Sydney law firm, formerly known as CH-Earnest.

  • Based in Sydney.
  • Previously practised under the name CH-Earnest.

Sydney NSW

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Top-rated commercial lawyers by city

Sydney

Full ranking →
  1. 1MGL Lawyers★★★★★ 5.0 (492)
  2. 2Truth Lawyers★★★★★ 5.0 (356)
  3. 3Mistry Fallahi★★★★★ 5.0 (286)

Perth

Full ranking →
  1. 1Perrella Legal★★★★★ 5.0 (214)
  2. 2Stephen Browne Lawyers★★★★★ 4.9 (551)
  3. 3Johnstone Crouse Lawyers★★★★★ 5.0 (113)

Brisbane

Full ranking →
  1. 1Watling Roche Lawyers★★★★★ 5.0 (143)
  2. 2Solomons Legal★★★★★ 5.0 (122)
  3. 3Astraea Law Pty Ltd★★★★★ 5.0 (116)

Melbourne

Full ranking →
  1. 1Roberts Gray Lawyers★★★★★ 5.0 (297)
  2. 2Unite Legal★★★★★ 5.0 (135)
  3. 3Rankin Business Lawyers★★★★★ 5.0 (125)

Adelaide

Full ranking →
  1. 1Corsers Lawyers, Property, Conveyancer, Wills Estates & Immigration specialists★★★★★ 5.0 (215)
  2. 2WOODS & CO LAWYERS PTY LTD★★★★★ 5.0 (169)
  3. 3Belperio Connell Lawyers★★★★★ 5.0 (120)

Gold Coast

Full ranking →
  1. 1Wallace Law Group★★★★★ 5.0 (259)
  2. 2Rawlings McShane Lawyers★★★★★ 5.0 (188)
  3. 3HTW Legal Group★★★★★ 5.0 (146)

What does a commercial lawyer do?

A commercial lawyer handles the legal side of running, buying, selling and protecting a business. The tasks are:

  1. Draft and negotiate supply, services, distribution and franchise agreements.
  2. Prepare terms and conditions of trade and online terms.
  3. Structure businesses as companies, partnerships or trusts.
  4. Draft shareholders agreements, partnership agreements and constitutions.
  5. Conduct due diligence and run the sale or purchase of a business.
  6. Advise on Australian Consumer Law obligations, such as consumer guarantees and unfair contract terms.
  7. Negotiate commercial and retail leases.
  8. Recover debts through letters of demand, claims and statutory demands.
  9. Resolve disputes between shareholders, partners, suppliers and customers.
  10. Advise directors and creditors on insolvency, restructuring and liquidation.

Business lawyer

A business lawyer is a commercial lawyer who acts for small and medium businesses. The work usually covers setting up the business, contracts with customers and suppliers, leases, employment documents and debt recovery. Many business lawyers offer fixed-fee packages for common documents.

Corporate lawyer

A corporate lawyer advises on company law under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). The work covers directors' duties, shareholder rights, capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, and dealings with ASIC. Corporate lawyers mostly act for companies, boards and investors rather than individuals.

Insolvency lawyers

An insolvency lawyer advises companies, directors and creditors when a business cannot pay its debts. Section 95A of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) defines a company as insolvent when it cannot pay all its debts as and when they fall due. The main company processes are:

  1. Company liquidation. A liquidator realises the assets, investigates the company's affairs and pays creditors, and the company is then deregistered. Liquidation starts by a resolution of shareholders or by a court order, often on a creditor's application after an unpaid statutory demand of at least $4,000.
  2. Voluntary administration. The directors appoint an administrator under section 436A when the company is, or is likely to become, insolvent. Creditors decide at a meeting whether to accept a deed of company arrangement, wind the company up or return it to the directors.
  3. Small business restructuring. A company with total liabilities of no more than $1 million can appoint a restructuring practitioner and propose a plan to creditors within 20 business days, while the directors stay in control.
  4. Personal bankruptcy. Individuals, including sole traders and partners, cannot use company processes. Their formal option is bankruptcy under the Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth), administered by AFSA, which normally lasts 3 years and 1 day, or a debt agreement or personal insolvency agreement.

Insolvency lawyers also defend directors against insolvent trading claims under section 588G, and act for creditors in recovery actions by liquidators. The guide to Insolvency vs Bankruptcy in Australia compares the processes in a table.

When do you need a commercial lawyer?

You need a commercial lawyer when a document will bind the business for years or when money or control of the business is in dispute. The common triggers are:

  1. Buying or selling a business. Due diligence and a sale agreement protect both sides.
  2. Bringing in a co-owner or investor. A shareholders agreement sets out control, exits and disputes.
  3. Signing a major contract or lease. Terms on liability, termination and renewal carry long-term risk.
  4. A customer or supplier will not pay. A Letter of Demand is usually the first step before a claim.
  5. You receive a statutory demand. A company has 21 days to pay or apply to set it aside under section 459G of the Corporations Act.
  6. The business is struggling to pay debts. Early advice keeps more options open, such as small business restructuring.

Disputes that go to court are often handed to a litigation team. See Litigation Lawyers in Australia.

How much does a commercial lawyer cost?

A commercial lawyer in Australia typically charges between $350 and $800 per hour plus GST, and many firms quote fixed fees for standard documents. Corporate partners in large firms can charge more. These ranges are indicative as at September 2026 and vary with the firm, the city and the complexity of the matter.

Matter Common fee model Indicative range
First consultation Free or fixed fee $0 to around $500
Letter of demand Fixed fee Around $200 to $800
Terms and conditions of trade Fixed fee Around $1,500 to $5,000
Shareholders agreement Fixed fee Around $2,500 to $8,000
Sale or purchase of a small business Fixed fee or hourly Around $3,000 to $15,000+
Commercial lease review Fixed fee Around $1,000 to $3,500
Insolvency advice to directors Hourly Around $1,500 to $10,000+

External administrators, such as liquidators and restructuring practitioners, charge their own fees separately from lawyers. The How Much Does a Lawyer Cost in Australia? guide explains costs agreements and billing.

How to choose a commercial lawyer

Choose a commercial lawyer by checking these points before signing a costs agreement:

  1. Practising certificate. Confirm the lawyer holds a current practising certificate on the state regulator's public register.
  2. Accredited specialist status. Ask whether the lawyer is accredited by the state law society in business or commercial law; see What Is an Accredited Specialist Lawyer?.
  3. Industry experience. Ask whether the firm acts for businesses of your size and sector.
  4. Fee disclosure. Get the costs disclosure, estimate and any fixed-fee scope in writing.
  5. Team depth. Ask whether the firm has litigation and insolvency lawyers if a dispute develops.

The How to Choose a Lawyer in Australia guide lists general checks for any practice area.

Commercial Lawyers by location

Commercial law guides

These guides explain matters commercial lawyers handle often:

Related practice areas include Property Lawyers in Australia for property transactions, Intellectual Property Lawyers in Australia for trade marks and brands, and Tax Lawyers in Australia for tax disputes.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a commercial lawyer and a corporate lawyer?

A commercial lawyer handles the day-to-day legal work of a business, such as contracts, leases, terms of trade and disputes. A corporate lawyer focuses on the company itself, such as company structures, capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, and Corporations Act compliance. Many firms offer both.

Does a small business need a lawyer to set up a company?

Not always. A company can be registered with ASIC without a lawyer. A lawyer adds value in choosing the structure, drafting a shareholders agreement and setting up trusts or guarantees correctly.

Can a commercial lawyer recover a debt?

Yes. Debt recovery usually starts with a lawyer's letter of demand, then a court or tribunal claim, and for a company debtor it can include a statutory demand under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).

Who regulates company insolvency in Australia?

ASIC oversees company insolvency and registered liquidators under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). Personal bankruptcy is administered by the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) under the Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth).