If you’re running a business, you’re going to need agreements and contracts. A set of contracts that are clear, tailored to your business, industry and clients are the best way avoid disputes. And in the event of a dispute, a well drafted contract will make it much easier, quicker (and therefore less costly!) to resolve.
That’s where an agreements lawyer comes in.
What Does an Agreements Lawyer Do?
An agreements lawyer is a commercial lawyer who specialises in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating the contracts that make your business run smoothly. This can include agreements with employees, suppliers, customers, or other businesses.
For small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), especially those not yet large enough to have in-house legal counsel, having an agreements lawyer in your corner means you can make decisions quickly, confidently, and with full awareness of your rights and obligations. It might mean reviewing a contract that has been given to you and advising on any issues, or areas to amend. It might been creating custom contracts for a new project or client, or a contractor or consultant.
Types of Contracts Your Business May Need
Here are some of the most common agreements that SMEs rely on:
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Employment Contracts – Contracts that comply with the Fair Work Act and any Awards or Enterprise Agreement, set out responsibilities, pay, benefits, confidentiality, and termination clauses.
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Service Agreements – Define the scope, deliverables, payment terms, and responsibilities when you provide or receive services.
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Supplier Agreements – Protect your supply chain by locking in prices, delivery schedules, and quality expectations.
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Shareholder or Partnership Agreements – Prevent future disputes by setting clear rules for decision-making, profit sharing, and exit strategies. See our blog on Shareholder Agreements for more information.
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Confidentiality (NDA) Agreements – Safeguard your intellectual property, trade secrets, and client data.
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Commercial and Retail Leases – Before you enter into a lease, make sure you have it reviewed to check that it complies with any relevant Retail Lease legislation, understand the outgoings that you’ll pay, and make good, exit clauses.
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Licensing Agreements – Control how others can use your products, brand, or intellectual property.
Why Well-Drafted Agreements Matter
The right contract doesn’t just protect you when things go wrong — it can actually prevent things from going wrong in the first place. Benefits include:
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Clarity – Everyone knows what’s expected, who owns and can or can’t do what, reducing misunderstandings.
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Risk Management – Spot and address potential issues before they become disputes.
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Enforceability – A properly drafted agreement allows you to enforce it in court (or signal that you’ll be able to, if you need to).
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Negotiating Power – Clear, professional terms signal that your business is serious and well-managed.
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Peace of Mind – You can focus on growth, knowing your legal bases are covered.
Avoiding Risk With Tailored Agreements — Not Templates
The best contracts are tailored to your business, and how you operate. Free online templates can be tempting, but they’re often generic, may not comply with Australian law and the Unfair Contract Terms regime, and might actually work against you. They can also leave dangerous gaps — and fixing a bad contract after the fact is often far more expensive than getting it right from the start. If you’re not completely sure about how your own contract works, and whether that’s what you want, you’re in dangerous territory.
An agreements lawyer tailors your contracts to your industry, your goals, and the way you actually operate.
How Sinclair + May Helps
At Sinclair + May, we work closely with business owners to create contracts that are clear, commercially savvy, and built for long-term relationships. We know you’re busy — so we make the process fast, practical, and stress-free.
Whether you’re signing your first client, negotiating with a supplier, or formalising a partnership, having the right agreements in place is one of the smartest investments you can make in your business. Book a call today!
