Professional Services (Part 2)

Our range of professional services (Part 2):

• Franchising Law
• Immigration Law
• Intellectual Property & IT
• International Trade Law
• Notarial Services
• Personal Litigation
• Probate
• Residential Property
• Wills & Estate Planning
• Not For Profit Law

Franchising Law
Meyer Vandenberg has assisted clients involved in large and small scale franchising ventures in a variety of industries. We can advise both franchisors and franchisees in all areas of the franchising process and provide support to facilitate as streamlined and hassle-free an exercise as possible.

Areas of expertise include:

• franchise agreements, disclosure documents and other related documentation
• advising on operations and procedure manuals
• franchise dispute resolution
• sale, purchase and termination of franchises
• business structure and succession planning advice
• trade practices act compliance
• trademark and brand protection
• independent advice for franchisees

Immigration Law

Meyer Vandenberg provides expert and quality immigration services to:

• Australian businesses wishing to attract highly skilled temporary and permanent workers to Australia
• business owners, senior managers and investors wishing to establish or buy a business or invest in Australia
• highly skilled professionals, managers and tradespersons wishing to enter Australia either permanently or temporarily
• people in Australia wishing to be reunited with their family who still reside overseas
• review and appeal applications

Our immigration services are offered to people from all around the world wishing to visit, work or settle in Australia. We also assist Australian's in obtaining foreign work and other visas.

Intellectual Property & IT

Meyer Vandenberg can assist you with a commercialisation strategy to ensure that your most valuable assets are managed and adequately protected.

Alongside IP, Information Technology (IT) has become the world's dominant growth area and is now an essential component of operation for virtually all businesses.

We have considerable experience in the local, national and international applications of IT and the laws associated with it. Our advice is based on our knowledge of the practical commercial outcomes of technology contracts and the associated risks and liabilities.

Areas of expertise include:

• commercialisation of technology and innovation
• international protection of technology and intellectual property
• technology investment risk management
• negotiation and documentation of IT matters including hardware, software development, implementation and licensing
• advice on all IP matters such as auditing, due diligence, protection and licensing
• preparation and negotiation of appropriate documentation to protect and commercialise intellectual property
• trade mark searching and registration including opposition and defence of trade marks
• dispute resolution proceedings related to patent, trade mark and copyright issues

International Trade Law

We can provide you with advice tailored to your particular needs and the area of the world in which you wish to operate or trade.

Our expertise includes:

• corporate and business structuring
• advice on the laws applicable to your transaction including overseas legal requirements
• commercialising technology locally and overseas
• contract and other business document advice relating to the overseas area of operation
• due diligence
• international trade mark searching, registration and licensing
• investing in technology locally and overseas
• joint venture agreements with overseas participants
• mergers and acquisitions
• protecting and licensing intellectual property internationally
• strategic alliances and partnerships internationally

Notarial Services

The services of a Notary Public are usually needed when documents are produced or signed in Australia and need to be sent overseas.

Most countries demand that foreign documents be witnessed or certified by a Notary Public to give confidence that the signature or the document itself is genuine.

Examples which may require certification by a Notary Public include:

• powers of attorney
• commercial documents
• university degrees
• birth and marriage certificates
• court documents

Personal Litigation

Meyer Vandenberg provides prompt, accurate advice and legal representation for a range of circumstances that may affect you personally.

We can offer advice and support for clients who find themselves in a disadvantaged situation resulting from an event involving the actions or decisions of someone else.

Our expertise includes:

• matters involving possible breaches of duty of care, specifically in relation to:
  • medical negligence
  • motor vehicle accidents
  • industrial and workplace related accidents
  • public liability issues

• civil litigation actions
• matters involving the Administrative Appeals Tribunal
• workers compensation disputes
• issues concerning negligence

Probate

Meyer Vandenberg has extensive experience in the area of Probate. We will guide you through the legal process of Probate and assist Executors to understand their duties and responsibilities.

Our expertise includes:

• probate applications to the Supreme Court
• deceased estate administration
• transfer of title for residential and commercial property
• disputed wills, trusts and all other inheritance claims

Residential Property

Meyer Vandenberg has the largest residential property practice in the Australian Capital Territory.

Areas of expertise include:

• building contract advice in addition to negotiations with builders, architects, planners and financiers
• buying and selling a home or investment property in the ACT or New South Wales
• land use, planning advice and appeals
• mortgage and finance advice
• options, tenders and conditional purchases
• pre-acquisition advice on structuring, finance and taxation issues
• subdivision of land including mixed use, strata title, unit title and community title developments

Wills & Estate Planning
Meyer Vandenberg has substantial experience in the area of wills and estate planning. We can ensure your wishes and instructions are clearly documented to provide an efficient pathway for the required actions after your death.

Areas of expertise include:

• estate planning
• family trusts
• wealth management which may involve complex succession issues and the review of family structures
• preparation of wills, including those incorporating testamentary trusts
• Powers of Attorney as well as Medical Powers of Attorney
• appointment of guardians
• probate applications and deceased estate administration
• disputed wills and inheritance claims
• superannuation

Not For Profit Law

Meyer Vandenberg has extensive experience with assisting non-profit organisations to deal with the range of challenges they face.

Areas of expertise include:

• establishing associations and companies limited by guarantee, including tailoring constitutions to particular organisations' needs
• restructuring
• assisting non-profit organisations to become and remain income tax exempt, deductible gift recipients and/or public benevolent institutions
• corporate governance specific to not-for-profit organisations
• obligations and responsibilities of board members
• meeting procedures
• balancing member rights against the rights of the organisation as a whole
• secretarial issues
• advocacy
• employment and volunteer issues