Small Business Lawyers in Melbourne

We provide quality legal services to our clients and we do it in a modern, flexible and approachable way.

Legal services that are transparent and clear

We understand the need to provide clear, plain English, commercially minded advice, and are committed to ensuring that the services we deliver are actually helpful, and meet our clients’ needs. We work on a predominantly fixed fee basis which is transparent and clear for everybody, so ‘bill shock’ is a foreign concept here.

Many of our clients become repeat clients. We become ‘their lawyer’. Nobody wants to call a lawyer, but sometimes it’s necessary – and we think it’s possible to make it a positive and beneficial experience.

We’re passionate about:

  • Providing clients with clear and practical assistance
  • Demystifying the often overwhelming industrial relations landscape

  • Helping to avoid disputes or issues, preferring to steer clear of court unless absolutely necessary.

WHO WE HELP

Clients who require specialised advice

We’re based in Melbourne, but we work with SMEs across a range of industries, all around Australia. Our clients range from small business employers, to large businesses with their own legal and HR teams, who require specialised advice or representation. They usually come via a referral, and they come back because they like our approach.

Our clients are:

  • Allied health clinics
  • Disability services providers
  • Engineers
  • HR advisers
  • Construction companies
  • Consultants

They’re dynamic businesses doing interesting things. And when you work with dynamic, interesting businesses every day, you get an insight into how things work, how they go wrong, and how to do them differently. Our clients get the benefit of this range of experience.

Meet Allie Levine

I’m the director of Sinclair + May, and an experienced commercial and employment lawyer. I love working with small and medium sized businesses and the people behind them, both to set their legals up to avoid issues, and fight fires when they arise. Prior to joining and then becoming the director of Sinclair + May, I worked in state government, private practice, and at an industry association, again working predominantly with small and medium size businesses. As a business owner myself, I understand the things that keep you up at night, and how daunting it can be, not knowing what you don’t know.

I’m a tragic type A personality, really good at trivia, and really bad at ball sports. I love that I’ve turned an incurable need to fix everybody’s problems into a career where I get to do it every day.

While I love being a lawyer, I also love that it’s not the only thing in my life. Outside of work my life centres around my two sons, teacher husband, boss babe Toy Poodle, giant baby Standard Poodle, and avoiding housework. Prior to having our sons, my husband and I fostered dogs for a rescue organisation. Nothing prepares you for motherhood, but fostering elderly and incontinent dogs almost does, and I’m sure there’s something in there about it making me a better lawyer.

I can rely on her for timely, sensible advice

Allie takes the time to talk through the scenarios, weighing up the risks and coming up with a plan—sometimes several plans—so there’s always a way forward. She’s down to earth, responsive, and truly understands the limitations and commercial realities small business owners face. I know I can rely on her for timely, sensible advice that supports my clients and helps them navigate tricky situations with confidence.

– Kylie, Recruitment Advisory Services

+ SOME OF THE CLIENTS WE’VE PARTNERED WITH