Business Legal Services

Agribusiness

Miller Harris Lawyers’ portfolio of agribusiness clients appreciate the fact that we understand the importance of this regional and foundational industry. Increasing demand from developing Asian markets and our proximity to these markets, means agribusiness operators in Cairns and North Queensland are ideally positioned to prosper from a range of opportunities that are expected to arise in the short to medium term. We work closely with our clients to help assess and realise these opportunities in a strategic and secure way.

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Building and Construction

Understanding the commercial realities of the Cairns and North Queensland building and construction industry is key to Miller Harris Lawyers’ expertise. We advise building contractors, sub-contractors, engineers, owners, developers, government agencies, investors as well as homeowners and bodies corporate in all areas of building and construction law.

Business Services and Structuring

When it comes to setting up a business, getting the right structure from the outset will ensure you set the foundations for business success and allow you to expand with confidence as your business grows. Our business services and structuring lawyers take the time to understand your business goals, both short and long term, in order to determine a structure that is right for you. We've been helping Cairns and North Queensland businesses with business services and structuring advice for over 25 years.

Commercial Debt Recovery

Managing debtors is critical to business success and liquidity. Our debt recovery lawyers can help you manage debtors from implementing a debt recovery strategy or drafting a letter of demand through to negotiations or court proceedings. Our lawyers are business savvy, and will advise on the costs of debt recovery strategies up front, and understand that protecting business relationships is also critical to longevity in business.

Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution

If you are looking for a swift and positive outcome to your business dispute, Miller Harris Lawyers can assist by offering professional and expert legal assistance in all areas of litigation, dispute resolution, risk management, negotiation and (where required) court action. Our litigation lawyers have been helping Cairns and North Queensland businesses resolve their disputes for over 25 years.

Commercial Property

For investors and developers, commercially-sound legal advice, coupled with negotiation expertise and efficient processes underpinned by specialist knowledge, are the key to a successful and profitable commercial property transaction. Our specialist property lawyers have an in-depth understanding of the Cairns and North Queensland property market and can advise you on the wide ranging and complex areas of property law which impact that market. We can help you avoid loss of sales and delays which rapidly escalate cost, potentially meaning the difference between a successful project and a disaster.

Corporate Advisory and Governance

Miller Harris Lawyers has worked as a corporate advisor with a broad range of clients including government, government-owned corporations, not-for-profit organisations and private companies who operate across a variety of industry sectors in Cairns and North Queensland. Our corporate advisory and governance lawyers provide pragmatic, informed and focused advice on the legal and regulatory requirements, market practice and emerging trends relating to corporate governance.

Corporate Insolvency and Restructuring

Coming to terms with the reality of seeing your business facing receivership, administration or liquidation can be a very painful process. Our insolvency and restructuring lawyers understand the devastating effect that this process can have on business owners and creditors alike. We will work with you in a constructive manner to lead you through the insolvency process and discuss the alternative courses of action available to you when financial difficulty arises. Our lawyers understand the unique issues and challenges faced by businesses operating in Cairns and North Queensland and adapt their insolvency and restructuring services accordingly.

Employment

When choosing an employment lawyer, confidentiality, sensitivity and a thorough understanding of the often complex facets of employment law are critical considerations. Employment relationships can be governed by a range of documentation and legislation including individual employment agreements/contracts, awards, enterprise bargaining agreements and industry-specific legislation. Our experienced employment lawyers assist both employers and employees in understanding their respective rights and obligations under employment law and the courses of action available when employment issues arise. We have been providing employment law services and advice to businesses and individuals in the Cairns and North Queensland region for many years.

Environment

Working with an environment lawyer who understands the specific aspects of environmental law relevant to the Cairns and North Queensland region will ensure you are aware of, and can act on, the environmental law issues relevant to your business. Environment law considerations are an increasingly important element of business planning and risk management. As well as increasing and complex legislation in this area, public and community expectations of the way in which businesses deal with environmental issues, are also factors that need to be considered when managing risk and corporate reputation. We work with clients in all sectors and of all sizes to ensure that, whatever the nature of their business, they are aware of and comply with any environmental laws and regulations or concerns relevant to their operation.

Franchising

Franchises are becoming an increasingly popular way to do business in Australia which is why advice from an experienced franchise lawyer is critical. Our franchise lawyers advise both franchisors and franchisees on various legal matters relevant to the establishment and operation of successful franchise businesses including drafting and/or review of franchise agreements, provision of mediation and dispute management services and provision of practical commercial advice pertaining to the franchise business models.

Government

Advising government agencies, local councils and private clients on a range of government law matters has always been a core service of Miller Harris Lawyers. As with any other business, for government agencies and departments to be efficient and financially responsible, they rely on having clear policies and processes in place as well as professional assistance to ensure compliance. Our lawyers have worked with many of the government agencies operating in the Cairns and North Queensland region providing a range of advice and services on government law related matters.

Hospitality, Tourism and Gaming

Hospitality, tourism and gaming are all significant industry sectors in Cairns and North Queensland and each is highly regulated. Our lawyers know the burden that this regulation places on operators of all sizes and are committed to delivering expert and valuable legal services to our clients in this area to help them achieve their commercial objectives whilst still meeting their legal, compliance and community obligations. At Miller Harris Lawyers, you will have access to a range of lawyers with broad and varied tourism law experience.

Intellectual Property

Intellectual property is a valuable commodity and your best ideas are often your most valuable. Our intellectual property lawyers work with you to protect these ideas and ensure that your business is the one that benefits from the development and commercialisation of your innovative product or concept. Miller Harris Lawyers can advise on a range of intellectual property law issues and assist you with the establishment, registration, commercialisation and protection of your intellectual property.

Leasing

Choosing Miller Harris Lawyers means you will be working with a leasing lawyer that understands the Cairns and North Queensland leasing market. Our lawyers have provided legal services to both tenants and landlords on a range of leasing matters for over 25 years. We can draft lease documentation, negotiate lease terms, enforce obligations of a lease and negotiate disputes between landlord and tenant. Seeking advice from one of our experienced leasing lawyers before you enter into a lease or let a property will ensure your rights and obligations are documented, clearly understood and protected.

Native Title and Cultural Heritage

Our lawyers have been working in the native title and cultural heritage fields for more than 15 years, including work on some of the earliest native title determinations made in Australia. Much progress has been made in native title law since that time, however the fundamental principles of respect and communication remain at the heart of our approach. Miller Harris Lawyers has worked with a wide variety of organisations in the native title law and cultural heritage law areas providing services to clients both in Cairns and throughout the North Queensland region.

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Planning

Developers, owners, investors, financiers and construction companies turn to Miller Harris Lawyers for advice on all areas planning law, knowing that our technical expertise and knowledge of the constantly changing maze of planning laws allows us to deliver a strategic, practical and commercially orientated approach to help meet their business objectives. Our lawyers have a detailed knowledge of the aspects of town planning law and development law relevant to the Cairns and North Queensland region.

Tax

Working with a tax lawyer from Miller Harris Lawyers means you will have a clear understanding of your tax law obligations and their potential impact on your business. Many businesses find it difficult to strike the right balance between meeting their tax obligations and achieving their long term commercial objectives. Tax law is a complex area and the potential implications of non-compliance are significant. The commercial tax lawyers at Miller Harris Lawyers work innovatively to implement strategies that encourage long term growth but also ensure the requirements of relevant taxation legislation are met. We have provided tax law advice to many Cairns and North Queensland business across on a broad range of taxation law issues.

Meet the experts in
Business Legal Services

Sean Walsh

Partner

Sean is an experienced business and commercial lawyer, having practised exclusively in these areas for almost 30 years.

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Elaine Jesurasingham

Partner

Elaine is a civil litigator and dispute resolution lawyer with a work background in commercial, property and building disputes.

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Tim McGrath

Partner

Tim has over 25 years experience in the fields of commercial litigation, insolvency (personal and corporate), corporations law, statutory compliance and industrial relations.

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Nigel Hales

Partner

Nigel is the only Queensland Law Society accredited property law specialist in Cairns.

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Melissa Nielsen

Partner

Melissa has extensive experience in all facets of business, commercial and property law with her clientele base ranging from larger publicly-listed corporations through to privately-owned companies and self-employed clients.

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Rowan Wilson

Senior Associate

Rowan is a litigator and dispute resolution lawyer. Rowan’s expertise in commercial disputes spans a wide range of industry areas particularly banking and finance, property, insurance, construction, and insolvency.

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