Start-up Lawyers in Sydney
Specialist legal support for start-ups including trademarks, intellectual property, contracts, negotiations, regulatory compliance, employment law, dispute resolution, and many other common legal matters pertaining to start-ups and new business ventures.
Heathfield Grosvenor Lawyers is experienced in a range of simple and complex legal challenges faced by early-stage companies. Our all-in-one services help start-ups to find their feet, navigate common legal pitfalls and ensure legal compliance in all aspects of business law in Australia.
Legal Services for Start-ups
Heathfield Grosvenor Lawyers is pleased to offer a complete range of business law services to start-ups in Sydney. Our extensive start-up law service offering helps new and established startups in Sydney to navigate a range of legal issues and secure a solid legal foundation.
- Intellectual Property
- Trademarks
- Contract Review
- Contract Negotiation
- Employment Law
- Business Registration
- Dispute Resolution
- Venture Capital Negotiation
- Regulatory Compliance
- Legal Services for Online Businesses
- Debt Recovery
- Business Sales
- Data & Privacy
- Commercial Leases
- Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA)
Frequently Asked Questions
What legal documents does a startup need from day one?
At minimum: a shareholders agreement, company constitution, founder vesting agreements, IP assignment deeds ensuring the company owns all IP created by founders, employment or contractor agreements, and a privacy policy if collecting personal data.
What is a founder vesting agreement?
A founder vesting agreement sets out the schedule on which founders earn their equity over time, typically 3–4 years with a 12-month cliff. It protects remaining founders if a co-founder exits early, ensuring equity reflects actual contribution.
How do I issue equity to employees or advisors?
Common mechanisms include employee share schemes (ESS), options plans, and advisory share grants. Each has different tax implications under Australian law. HG Law structures equity incentive arrangements that are tax-effective and compliant with ASIC requirements.
When should a startup engage a lawyer?
Ideally at incorporation. Decisions made early around structure, equity, IP ownership, and founder agreements are far harder and more expensive to unwind later. Early legal advice is one of the highest-return investments a startup can make.
How much does startup legal advice cost?
HG Law provides fixed-fee startup legal services covering incorporation, shareholders agreements, founder vesting, and IP assignment. You receive a clear quote upfront with no hourly billing.
Professional and on time. Our lawyer is a person of high integrity and is genuinely committed to helping us achieve our goals. If Chris Chang leaves the firm, we will follow him. All aspects of their work were performed at an exemplary standard — skill, timeliness and client service. Good practical advice speedily given and implemented. Responsiveness, quality, professionalism and value. Highly recommend working with Chris — responsive, professional and outcome-focused, and very well-priced given the exceptional quality of work. Chris Chang always responded very promptly. Heathfield Grosvenor have no areas in which they could improve — our experience was nothing but positive. Professional and diligent in their research, prompt and timely in their responses. I achieved a favourable outcome. Highly professional, diligent, and trustworthy services. Chris went above and beyond — and truly cares about his clients. Chris provided excellent advice and great service. I would highly recommend. They made the process seamless for us. Very professional and very knowledgeable in their field. Chris Chang goes above and beyond to get the desired results. Their pricing is fair and you don't feel like you're constantly on the clock. Very professional service and top quality advice — quality, professionalism and value. Excellent and timely advice, professional handling of all issues. All was good, easy communication (we are from Italy), efficient support, fast procedures. Understood exactly the issue and resolved it right away. Made sure I did not include unnecessary expense in pursuing my litigation for a broken contract.Testimonials
