Commercial, Franchising & Construction Lawyers
We are Commercial, Franchising & Construction Lawyers based in Melbourne; your matters are guided by experienced lawyers who understand business.
Founded by Neda Whelan, our practice brings a unique perspective shaped by extensive experience across both private practice and in-house legal roles within established Australian businesses. This dual perspective - understanding legal requirements from both advisor and business operator viewpoints, enables us to provide guidance that serves real-world commercial needs rather than theoretical legal perfection.
Partnership Approach: Growing with Your Business
Our client relationships reflect a fundamental commitment to long-term partnership rather than only project-based engagement. Our commercial lawyers invest time in understanding your business model, growth aspirations, and operational challenges, enabling our commercial lawyers to provide guidance that anticipates future needs while addressing immediate requirements.
This partnership approach means our commercial lawyers become familiar with your industry dynamics, competitive landscape, and strategic priorities, allowing our commercial lawyers to offer increasingly valuable counsel as your business evolves.
Our clients value this continuity, knowing their commercial lawyer understands their business context and can provide guidance that integrates seamlessly with their commercial decision-making.
Commercial Lawyers for your Business
Our expertise spans the full scope of commercial law and business law.
Our Commercial lawyers help business owners make smart legal decisions, whether you're negotiating a contract, structuring a partnership, resolving a dispute, or preparing to scale.
You get practical legal advice from a senior commercial lawyer who understands what’s at stake, because we’ve been there.
Commercial Law Services
Your commercial decisions deserve more than a templated contract. Our commercial lawyers provide clear, tailored legal advice grounded in commercial reality, not legal theory.
Our commercial lawyers can assist with:
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Business structuring and restructures
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Commercial contracts (drafting, review, negotiation)
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Shareholder and director agreements
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Business sales and acquisitions
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PPSR and security interests
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Commercial dispute strategy
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Confidentiality, IP and day-to-day advisory
Franchising Lawyers Who Understand Scale
Franchising is a growth model, but it can quickly unravel without the right legal foundations. Our franchise lawyers support emerging and established franchisors with advice that’s legally sound, commercially sharp, and operationally practical.
Our franchise lawyers can assist with:
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Franchise agreement drafting and advice
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Disclosure documentation and compliance
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Franchise system structuring and reviews
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Master franchising and area development
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Franchisee onboarding, disputes, and exits
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Franchising Code of Conduct compliance
Construction Lawyers Who Navigate Complexity
Construction projects demand precision, but they can quickly derail without proper legal foundations. Our construction lawyers support contractors, developers, and property owners with advice that's legally robust, commercially astute, and practically focused on project delivery.
Our construction lawyers can assist with:
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Construction contract drafting and negotiation
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Payment disputes and security of payment claims
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Construction delays and variation disputes
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Subcontractor agreements and management
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Regulatory compliance and building law matters
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Dispute resolution & litigation
Senior-Led Commercial Legal Advice. No Handballing
At Whelan Lawyers, your matter is handled by an experienced commercial lawyer or franchise lawyer from day one. No handballing to juniors. No hollow advice.
We work with:
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Founders, directors, business owners & entrepreneurs
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Franchisors (new and established)
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Franchisees
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Professional services firms
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Service-based businesses
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Hospitality, food & beverage, and restaurants
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Retail brands
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Design & Construction industry
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Manufacturing
If you're in growth mode and need legal clarity, we’re the right partner. Contact us for a complimentary initial discussion about your legal needs.
