Sydney
Small Business Lawyer Sydney
Fixed-fee legal work for Sydney small business owners. Senior lawyers. No six-minute billing.
Small business owners in Sydney do not need a big firm — they need a senior lawyer who understands cash flow, will quote a fixed fee, and answers the phone. That is what Envision Legal does.
Legal work for small businesses in Sydney
Most SME legal needs fall into one of six categories. We handle all of them:
- Setting up correctly — Pty Ltd vs sole trader vs trust, ABN, ASIC registration, tax structure. See our business structures guide.
- Customer and supplier contracts — services agreements, supply agreements, terms and conditions of sale, subscription agreements.
- Partner / co-owner agreements — shareholders' agreements for companies, partnership agreements for partnerships, unitholders' agreements for unit trusts.
- Employment and contractors — employment contracts (award vs non-award), contractor agreements, restraints of trade, workplace policies.
- Brand and IP — trademark registration, IP assignment from founders and contractors, licensing.
- Buying or selling the business — asset sales, share sales, franchise transfers, due diligence.
Common mistakes we see
Trading without a proper contract template
Handshake deals and email exchanges are contracts, but they leave you exposed. Payment terms, liability caps, IP ownership, termination rights — none of these get resolved by "the invoice terms". A one-off investment in a proper template pays for itself the first time a customer disputes an invoice.
50/50 co-ownership with no shareholders' agreement
Two founders each owning 50% of a Pty Ltd with no shareholders' agreement is a deadlock waiting to happen. If you disagree on anything material, the company grinds to a halt. A shareholders' agreement with dispute-resolution and buy-out mechanics is not optional.
Calling an employee a "contractor"
The ATO and Fair Work Ombudsman do not care what the contract says — they look at the reality of the relationship. Get this wrong and you owe superannuation, PAYG, leave entitlements, and penalties. Every SME with contractors should have their arrangements reviewed at least once.
No IP assignment
Your logo was designed by a freelancer. Your code was written by a contractor. Your product photos were taken by a photographer. In every case, unless there is a written IP assignment, they own the copyright — not you. This becomes a serious problem when you go to sell the business.
What we charge
| Work | Typical fixed fee |
|---|---|
| Company setup + starter documents | $1,500–$2,500 + GST |
| Standard services agreement / terms of trade | $1,500–$3,500 + GST |
| Shareholders' agreement (2–4 founders) | $3,500–$6,500 + GST |
| Employment contract template | $1,200–$2,500 + GST |
| Trademark registration (one class) | $1,200 + GST + IP Australia fees |
| Monthly retainer / fractional GC | from $2,500 + GST/mo |
Who we work with
Professional services (accounting, consulting, agencies), technology and SaaS, allied health, hospitality, e-commerce, franchise operators, and manufacturers. Anywhere from 1 person up to ~50 employees.
Frequently asked questions
What does a small business lawyer do?
Draft and review commercial contracts, set up the right business structure, prepare shareholders' or partnership agreements, handle employment and contractor documents, register and enforce trademarks, and act on business sales and acquisitions.
How much should I budget for legal fees as a small business?
Most Sydney SMEs spend $2,000–$8,000 + GST in their first year setting up documents properly (structure, shareholders' agreement, contract template, terms of trade, employment templates). After that, $500–$2,500/mo on a retainer covers ongoing needs — cheaper than one poorly drafted contract that leads to a dispute.
Do I need a lawyer to set up a small business?
You do not need one to register a Pty Ltd via ASIC or an ABN. You do need one before signing any customer contract, taking on a co-owner, hiring an employee, or buying an existing business. The cost of doing these things wrong dwarfs the cost of getting them right.
Can you help with a dispute with a customer or supplier?
Yes — we advise on breach of contract, unpaid invoices, unfair contract terms, misleading and deceptive conduct claims, and pre-litigation strategy. Most commercial disputes settle before court if they are handled quickly and correctly.
Related pages
Talk to us
Ready to talk it through?
Send us a note about what you're working on. We'll respond within one business day and, if we're a fit, book a free 15-minute consultation with a senior lawyer.