Professional Services (Part 1)

Our range of professional services (Part 1):

• Adoption Law
• Business Services
• Commercial Property Law
• Construction Law
• Corporate Advisory
• Criminal Law
• Debt Recovery
• Dispute Resolution
• Employment Relations
• Finance & Securities

Adoption Law

Meyer Vandenberg has significant experience in the field of adoption law and is able to assist with all related matters both within Australia or internationally. We can advise you on any aspect of adoption law and also oversee the process from the initial consent to the final Supreme Court adoption order, ensuring all appropriate state approvals are obtained.

We make certain that both the biological and prospective parents understand their rights and responsibilities giving you complete knowledge of the process from start to finish.

Our expertise includes:

• local adoptions
• step-parent adoptions
• single parent adoptions
• recognition of overseas adoptions
• notarisation of overseas adoption papers
• obtaining parental consent to adoption
• applications to and representation in the Supreme Court
• guardianship
• change of name of children
• liaison with Department of Family Services and the

Department of Community ServicesMeyer Vandenberg has significant experience in the field of adoption law and is able to assist with all related matters both within Australia or internationally. We can advise you on any aspect of adoption law and also oversee the process from the initial consent to the final Supreme Court adoption order, ensuring all appropriate state approvals are obtained.

Business Services

Meyer Vandenberg offers sound advice and tailored business plans for organisations both large and small. Our team takes a sensible yet flexible approach to identify and implement strategies to assist you achieve your business objectives in the environment in which you operate.

Our expertise covers all areas of commercial operations to ensure every aspect of your business is properly structured and maintained, giving you the freedom to focus on your primary aims. Our clients include substantial privately owned enterprises, listed companies, government authorities and local subsidiaries of multi-nationals.

Areas of expertise include:

• business structures involvingtrusts and companies
• contract drafting and advice
• buying and selling businesses
• negotiation and transaction advice for leasing matters
• business dispute resolution
• business succession planning
• securing business loans and funding
• government planning and compliance liaison
• advertising law
• trade practices and fair trading advice

Commercial Property Law

Meyer Vandenberg has a well developed understanding of the complexities surrounding all elements of commercial property law.

Areas of expertise include:

• building contract advice, involving negotiations with builders, architects, planners and financiers
• land use, planning advice and appeals
• leasing on behalf of both lessor and lessee
• mortgage and finance advice
• commercial property development
• options and conditional purchases
• pre-acquisition advice on structuring, finance and taxation issues
• pre-contract investigations and due diligence investigations for commercial properties
• property trusts, joint ventures and syndications
• sale and purchase of commercial, industrial, rural and residential properties
• subdivision of land including mixed use, strata and unit title and community title developments
• tenders, non-conforming tenders and post-tender negotiations

Construction Law

Our team has developed strong networks in the ACT and broader construction sector which enables us to be at the forefront of changes in the industry.

We have a strong client base consisting of Canberra's most prominent developers, contractors and consultants, many of whom operate interstate as well as builders entering the ACT building landscape. Our clients value Meyer Vandenberg's innovative and strategic approach to construction and trust in our expertise to deliver their desired commercial outcomes.

Our expertise includes:

• preparation, negotiation and review of development, construction and building contracts
• risk assessment, allocation and minimisation
• preparation of tender documentation
• land acquisition and regulatory approval including planning, development and environmental matters
• project finance documentation

Corporate Advisory

The corporate advisory team at Meyer Vandenberg is committed to providing our clients with tailored legal advice and specialist skills. Our clients operate in a range of professional industries and are comprised of entities both large and small.

Areas of expertise include:

• company incorporations and corporate law obligations
• contract and other business document drafting and advice
• corporate and business structuring
• constitutional analysis and advice
• insurance advice
• joint venture agreements, strategic alliances and partnerships
• mergers and acquisitions
• purchase and sale of businesses
• taxation advice
• trusts and superannuation establishment and advice

Criminal Law
Meyer Vandenberg and Ben Aulich are pleased to announce the opening of Ben Aulich & Associates - a specialst criminal law firm on 2 January 2008. The firm is owned by Principal Ben Aulich in conjunction with the Meyer Vandenberg partnership.

Ben has established himself as one of Canberra's most reputable criminal lawyers. He is recognised for his professional excellence and his ability to provide astute advice to all of his clients.

Ben's criminal expertise assists various clients including those occupying executive positions in their professions as well as those employed in the wider labour force.

Specific areas of expertise include:

• non-police prosecutions such as prosecutions involving the Australian Securities and Investment Commission, Australian Taxation Office, WorkCover and Centrelink
• white collar crimes such as fraud, conspiracies, theft, deception and money laundering, as prosecutable under Commonwealth agencies including the Department of Public Prosecution and the Australian Federal Police
• representation for other criminal offences prosecutable by police

Debt Recovery

Meyer Vandenberg offers a cost effective service for businesses that do not have the time or resources to chase debtors. This service greatly assists clients in achieving a more fluid operating environment for their business.

Areas of expertise include:

• letters of demand to debtors
• winding up proceedings, where the entity owing money is a company
• bankruptcy proceedings where the debtor is an individual
• Magistrates and Supreme Court proceedings to recover debts using optimal
• methods of enforcing Supreme Court and Magistrates Court judgments

Dispute Resolution
Our team is one of the leading dispute resolution practices in the Australian Capital Territory. We are skilled in negotiating settlements and commercial resolutions on behalf of our clients using the most appropriate method for our client's situation.

Areas of expertise include:

• banking and finance disputes
• breaches of contract
• building and construction issues
• employment and labour disputes
• dissolution of partnerships
• insurance advice
• intellectual property issues
• product liability
• professional indemnity
• land and planning disputes
• manufacturing supply and delivery claims
• trade practices, competition and fair trading issues

Employment Relations
Our expertise includes:

• advice on the most appropriate form of employment arrangements for your business whether workplace agreements, (AWA's or collective agreements), employment contracts or both
• executive contracts
• independent contractor issues
• advice on conditions and entitlements of employees
• assisting employers dealing with the regulatory authorities (including the Workplace Authority and the Workplace Ombudsman) and with unions
• occupational health and safety issues
• preparing and implementing workable policies and procedures to minimise the risk of liability for breach of legislation in areas such as discrimination, Occupational Health & Safety, unlawful dismissal
• human resource management issues including performance appraisals, workplace restructuring and change management
• advice on visa compliance issues
• workers compensation
• protecting your business through appropriate confidentiality and restraint arrangements

Finance & Securities

Meyer Vandenberg acts for a range of financial institutions and organisations, providing them with a comprehensive range of banking and financial legal services. We also act for corporate and consumer borrowers in all areas of finance and securities law.

Our expertise includes:

• commercial and corporate finance transactions
• credit and privacy legislation requirements
• lender liability
• personal finance transactions
• securities and priorities