COMMERCIAL

We build strong long standing relationships with our clients and work collaboratively with them to ensure they have the most comprehensive support and advice in their commercial matters.

Our experienced team assist in a variety of commercial matters including:

  • Business Structuring
  • Trusts
  • Purchase/supply contracts (goods and/or services)
  • General commercial contract drafting, advice and negotiation
  • Acquisitions and disposals of assets (going concern businesses, plant and equipment, shares, units and real property)
  • Finance and security documentation
  • Competition law
  • Franchising
  • Liquor Licensing including new applications, transfers/variations, compliance issues
Testimonials
“Everyone I have dealt with, from reception through to the different solicitors from various departments have been extremely personable and professional. Work has always been completed in a very timely manner and communication has always been made very easy. I have gained a lot of useful new knowledge in areas which had been previously foreign to me as the solicitors have been happy to answer any and all questions I’ve asked on any subject. This newly acquired knowledge has already been pivotal for my success in other business interactions.“
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Drew Duggan
Director WellFit Personal Training
OUR COMMERCIAL TEAM
Tim Osborn

Solicitor Director
Commercial & Corporate

Tim Osborn holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Business from the University of Newcastle and has been qualified as a solicitor since 2004.

Tim was previously employed as Associate in charge of the business and corporate team at a large Newcastle law firm where he concentrated on commercial transaction work and commercial litigation before founding Osborn Law in January 2011.

Tim regularly advises clients and their financial and accounting advisors on:

  • All manner of supply/procurement contracts in the building, mining and hospitality sectors
  • Software and other Intellectual Property and asset licensing
  • mergers, acquisitions and disposals
  • Corporations Act issues
  • Business and asset structuring (including asset protection)
  • Distribution and agency arrangements
  • Franchising
  • Commercial property
  • Commercial and residential lending (and security)

He further assists clients in making certain they have adequate tools in place to ensure their dealings with customers and suppliers do not expose them to undue business risk. This includes advising on and preparing credit application forms, general terms of trade, director’s guarantees and providing advice on general commercial debt recovery methods.

Tim prides himself on providing accurate, relevant, timely, and above all, practical advice to his clients.

Tim is an Honorary Commander in the Hunter Defence Support Network (HDSN) which was formed in 2015 as a single-purpose community support and advocacy group focused on improving the lifestyle of Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and their families whilst posted to the Hunter Region.

He is a member of the Camp Quality Newcastle MotoCyc committee responsible for organising the annual fundraiser motorbike ride through country NSW combining his passion for motorbike riding and supporting great local charities.

Tim is also a former Director on the Board of NUSport (2008-2018), an incorporated body of the University of Newcastle which is responsible for the development of sport and fitness through services, facilities and activities, along with being a member of their Finance and Infrastructure Committees.

When not in the office, Tim loves spending time with his family, being outside and being active. Tim is a keen dirt bike rider and four wheel driver, and enjoys the bush and camping.

Laura Bennett​

Partner
Commercial & Property

Laura Bennett has more than 14 years of experience in the legal profession. Following her completion of a Bachelor of Laws at Newcastle University she took up a full time paralegal position before being admitted as a solicitor in 2008.

She has particular expertise in commercial contract negotiations and drafting. She has an exceptional set of drafting skills and a “can do” approach to client service.

Laura’s experience in commercial and property law includes:

  •  Drafting and advising on supply agreements and other service contracts
  •  Drafting trading terms
  •  Negotiating and drafting commercial and retail leases and licence agreements
  •  Drafting and advising on shareholder and unitholder agreements, share transactions and business sale and purchase agreements
  • Corporate structuring and mergers and acquisitions
  • Regularly running large commercial and residential land sale and purchase transactions
  • Residential and strata subdivisions and consolidations
  • Drafting and advising on loan, mortgage and other security and guarantee documents
  • Advising on limited recourse borrowing arrangements and bare trust acquisitions and roll overs
Zoe Butler

Senior Associate
Commercial & Corporate

Zoe graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) in 2019. Since being admitted as a solicitor, Zoe has gained a range of experience in corporate and commercial law acting for not-for-profit organisations and private, public and ASX listed companies.

Zoe has a keen interest in corporate and commercial law and has experience advising clients on:

  • Mergers and acquisitions including business and asset sales and sales of securities
  • Capital raising and corporate governance
  • Drafting and advising on structuring and ownership documents such as shareholder and unitholder agreements and business succession deeds
  • Drafting and advising on commercial contracts and loan and security documents
  • Commercial property including conveyancing, leasing and land development

Zoe further leads our Company Secretary service, overseeing and meticulously managing all aspects to guarantee that the company adheres to its regulatory and statutory obligations. Her responsibilities encompass a wide range of duties aimed at maintaining legal compliance and upholding the integrity of the organisation.

Zoe always endeavours to assist clients in achieving a commercial outcome. She prides herself on her professional yet personable nature and values developing long-lasting relationships with her clients.

Zoe serves as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of HYP (Hunter Young Professionals), a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting young professionals in the Newcastle area and its surrounding regions.

On her days off, Zoe enjoys keeping fit, spending time outdoors and hanging out with family and friends – nothing will keep her inside on a nice day!

Kassie McAlear

Solicitor
Commercial & Corporate

Kassie graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Juris Doctor in 2019, following the completion of a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in International Politics and Criminology, in 2016.

After relocating to Newcastle in early 2023, Kassie has continued to expand her legal career, gaining valuable experience across both the private and public sectors. Since her admission as a solicitor, she has built a strong foundation in property and commercial law. Her public sector experience includes working with government departments, the Solicitor’s Office, the Office of Public Prosecutions, and higher education institutions.

Kassie’s expertise spans a wide range of legal matters, including drafting, negotiating, reviewing, and advising on:

  • General commercial contracts
  • Contractor, consultancy, and service agreements
  • Terms and conditions for goods/services, competitions, and promotions
  • Mergers and acquisitions, including business and asset sales, and securities transactions
  • Business succession and company planning
  • Construction and development projects
  • Licensing and leasing agreements
  • Sale and purchase of residential and commercial property
  • Property due diligence, conveyancing, and general advice
  • Company secretarial documents

Outside of work, Kassie enjoys high-intensity gym classes, reformer pilates, listening to podcasts, and exploring new restaurants with her partner. Originally from rural Darwin, she enjoys visiting home when possible.

Kassie is a member of the Australian and New Zealand Sports Law Association, Hunter Young Professionals, and the Law Society of New South Wales.

Meg Ottmann

Legal Secretary

Meg is an experienced Legal Secretary that has been working in the industry for over 9 years’ predominantly in the areas of Commercial and Property law. She started her career in legal undertaking her Certificate III in Business Administration, a move that made her love working in the legal industry.

Mainly assisting the commercial team, Meg is the point of call for the rest of the OL team when needed and is also well known to our commercial clients.

During her time as a Legal Secretary, Meg has worked in boutique and national law firms and has developed a broad range of experience and skills in the following areas:

  • Commercial Leasing
  • Retail Leasing
  • Receiving, reviewing, compiling and submitting of Tenders for provision of legal services
  • Drafting commercial documents
    • Shareholders Agreements;
    • Business Acquisition documents;
    • Commercial and retail leases;
  • File and diary management
  • Client services
  • Event co-ordination
  • Support Team co-ordination

Meg strives to assist the team and clients to ensure that the experience is a positive one.

She enjoys that no two matters are the same and the constant learning through each new challenge thrown her way.

As an outdoors person (with a green thumb), Meg loves to spend time in the garden when away from the office as well as camping and going to the beach with family and friends.