Corporate Law

At Hope Earle Lawyers, we understand that strong corporate governance and sound legal frameworks are fundamental to building and sustaining a successful business. In today’s complex regulatory landscape, boards, executives and shareholders need clear, commercially focused advice to ensure compliance, manage risk and achieve their strategic objectives.

Our corporate team brings more than just technical legal expertise. Many of our lawyers have served on boards across a diverse range of sectors — including universities, water authorities, listed and private companies, technology start-ups, industry associations and charities. This experience gives us genuine insight into the dynamics that influence board decision-making: ethical considerations, funding pressures, risk management frameworks, stakeholder engagement and long-term strategy. We combine this practical perspective with rigorous legal analysis to deliver advice that is both commercially astute and outcome-driven.

Areas of Expertise

We advise businesses of all sizes — from emerging ventures through to established corporates — on the full spectrum of corporate law matters, including:

• Corporate Governance & Compliance
  – Directors’ duties and responsibilities
  – Risk management frameworks and compliance programs
  – Company secretarial services and board governance support
  – Directors’ and officers’ liability and insurance

• Business Structures & Advisory
  – Incorporations and structuring of companies, trusts and joint ventures
  – Drafting and reviewing constitutions and shareholder agreements
  – Start-up and venture capital structuring, including employee share schemes
  – Family business succession and governance

• Transactions & Strategic Deals
  – Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) — from due diligence to completion
  – Business sales and purchases
  – Equity and debt capital raisings
  – Joint ventures, partnerships and strategic alliances

• Shareholder & Boardroom Disputes
  – Oppression of minority shareholders
  – Disputes between directors and shareholders
  – Enforcement of shareholders’ rights
  – Dispute resolution through negotiation, mediation or litigation

• Financial Distress & Insolvency
  – Insolvent trading risks and safe harbour advice
  – Director and officer liability in insolvency
  – Restructuring and turnaround strategies
  – Working with insolvency practitioners, creditors and financiers

• Regulatory & Industry-Specific Advice
  – Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) compliance and ASIC engagement
  – ASX Listing Rules and continuous disclosure obligations
  – Governance and funding advice for not-for-profits and charities
  – Specialist advice for highly regulated industries, including education, utilities and technology.