Our clients are business people; they are busy, focused and exist in a highly competitive world.
We make the law accessible in a number of ways.
Our lawyers are not office-bound, they’re mobile and regularly visit clients on-site to work with them there or at a location convenient to the client;
Through technology we can be reached in a number of ways; mobile phone, video conference, email and instant message.
We pride ourselves on responsiveness, so your communication will be returned quickly.
We speak the language of business, no legal jargon!
We look outside the legal box for commercial solutions.
What We Do
SETTING YOUR BUSINESS UP
About to set up your first or tenth business? Let’s meet to discuss your goals and ultimate exit before you lock yourself into a structure, business partner or funding regime. Once you’ve decided, we can provide simple, effective agreements through to the most complex; tailored to your needs.
RESOLVE A BUSINESS DISPUTE
Business disputes are a distraction. They are costly both in dollars and emotional energy.
Your dispute may relate to a contract, a shareholders/owners disagreement or the terms of a lease. Our expert litigators will be focused on achieving a commercial outcome for your business from the get go.
UNDERSTANDING LEGAL DOCUMENTS
One of our key goals is to make the law accessible to businesses. It’s OK to express anger and frustration when confronted by 50 pages of gobbledy gook. Our focus will be on debunking this and isolating the key issues/decision points in any legal document including commercial transactions and agreements, partnership or shareholder agreements, option deeds, supply agreements, licensing agreements, terms and conditions. Written contracts provide clarity and certainty.
PROTECTING YOUR BRAND
You have invested considerable time and effort creating a distinctive brand or trademark. One that has a strong reputation due to the quality of goods or services it represents.
…or you may have just developed a new brand or refreshed an existing one.
We will assist you to protect these valuable assets and stop others from exploiting or damaging them.
EMPLOYING PEOPLE
Employing people can be one of the most rewarding and profitable thing a business can do; we know, we’re growing too! Developing a great workplace and culture means having in place mechanisms which enable you to deal with the occasional bad egg, meet your work health and safety obligations, ensure employees understand the rules and their obligations.
Let’s start with your first employment contract and go from there!
LEASING OR PURCHASING PROPERTY
It is just a standard lease right? There’s no room to negotiate? Wrong! We regularly give our client’s leases the once over to ensure that key items such as future rental periods (options), make-goods and rental increases are dealt with properly.
Or if you’re just about to buy that factory or office building, we can advise you which entity to use to acquire it, review that loan agreement and set your investment up for success.
DON'T PAY ANY MORE TAX THAN IS NECESSARY
It’s OK to minimize your tax legally. We’ll help you to select the best business structure, ensure that you take advantage of relevant government assistance and set you up in your own superfund if appropriate.
But we’ll do this with your long-term commercial objectives in mind, no stop gaps or expedient decisions.
FILM, TV, THEATRE & MUSIC
Drafting and Negotiating Talent Agreements, Agent and Management Agreements, Rights Acquisition Agreements (Life Rights, Screenplay & Options), Employment & Contractor Agreements for Cast & Crew, Chain of Title Clearance, Non-Disclosure Agreements (“Confidentiality”), Writer & Producer Agreements, Talent & Location Releases, Band, Music & Synch Licensing & Composer Agreements, Digital Content Agreements
ENTERTAINMENT VISAS & IMMIGRATION
Visas for Cast & Crew for Film, TV, Theatre, Music, Sports. Visas for Celebrity Talent. Australian & US Working and Living visas.
We work as part of your team
We are expert commercial lawyers with experience across the range of legal services that SMEs require.
We help you identify the legal requirements of your business and take care of your day to day
legal needs always with an eye to your commercial and strategic objectives.
Managing your legal costs:
Retainers
Retainers help business budget and control their legal spend.
Rankin Business Lawyers offer retainers to clients, where together we can reasonably estimate your needs. These retainers could be monthly, quarterly or annual.
Fixed Fees
If you desire pricing certainty, Rankin Business Lawyers are happy to commit to a fixed price.
We will work together with you on a scope that meets your budget.
Hourly Rates
If you prefer we are also comfortable working on an hourly rate basis.
We’ll still provide you with a cost estimate.
“Rankin Business Lawyers have been providing legal advice and support services over a number of years as our organisation has grown and changed. Rob’s advice has been invaluable and often enabled us to avoid problems before they arise.”
“The lawyers at Rankin Business Lawyers are commercially minded and approach every job strategically. They’ve assisted our business with both employment and franchising advice. They communicate effectively and provide practical assistance.”
“Rob at Rankin Business Lawyers has assisted our firm with a number of significant transactions including both sales and acquisitions. The advice has always been spot on, practical and prompt. Using Rankin Business Lawyers gives us peace of mind as well as a clever and experienced sounding board when making big decisions in our business.”
To get in touch with us:
email: enquiries@rankinandco.com