Legal advice for business.
Uncomplicated, relevant, expert advice.
We add value.
For too long legal and business advisors have been reactive and failed to demonstrate value to clients. Our mission is to empower your business and add value in every engagement.
We are the experts in Retail, Business Law and Mergers and Acquisitions – and we’re business people, too.
“The trouble with law,
is lawyers.“
~ Clarence Darrow
The experts.
Nick Hitchens
Principal
(02) 8123 0989
Nick Hitchens is a key advisor to a range of Australian and International businesses.
Nick Hitchens is a key advisor to a range of Australian and International businesses.
He has assisted hundreds of business owners seeking investment, divestment or acquisition with a transaction history totalling $500m+.
Nick Hitchens is an expert in advising on Shareholder and Partnership Arrangements and all other commercial contracts.
He brings a contemporary competitive approach to business and legal services. In his downtime, Nick Hitchens likes breathing the fresh air in Tassie, Crossfit and travelling the globe.
Olivia Hitchens
Principal
(02) 9188 3960
Olivia Hitchens advises Australia’s largest retailers, franchised networks, celebrities and high-net-worth families and is a renowned expert in Retail and Branding Law. Olivia is the exclusive legal advisor to the Australian Retailers Association and its members.
Olivia Hitchens advises Australia’s largest retailers, franchised networks, celebrities and high-net-worth families and is a renowned expert in Retail and Branding Law. Olivia is the exclusive legal advisor to the Australian Retailers Association and its members.
Olivia Hitchens can assist all businesses with monetising and protecting their Intellectual Property, Marketing and Social Media Law, Competition and Consumer Law and general business law.
Olivia brings practical industry experience and combines it with common sense advice. In her downtime, Olivia Hitchens likes running, baking and spending time with her daughter.
Paul Henry
Principal
(02) 8123 0983
Paul Henry has more than 10 years’ worth of corporate and commercial experience advising clients across a variety of industries and deal sizes. Paul also has an Executive MBA and experience working in-house so he prides himself on understanding each business he works with to ensure that advice is both legally sound and commercially pragmatic. Away from work, Paul can usually be found near a sporting field, brewing his own beer or enjoying time with the family.
Paul Henry has more than 10 years’ worth of corporate and commercial experience advising clients across a variety of industries and deal sizes. Paul also has an Executive MBA and experience working in-house so he prides himself on understanding each business he works with to ensure that advice is both legally sound and commercially pragmatic. Away from work, Paul can usually be found near a sporting field, brewing his own beer or enjoying time with the family.
Joel Marshall
Principal(02) 9188 3962
Joel Marshall comes from a commercial property investment background in New Zealand and has practiced the past 5 years in Australia with a focus on Property and Business Transactions and Disputes, Competition and Consumer Law and general commercial advisory.
Joel Marshall comes from a commercial property investment background in New Zealand and has practiced the past 5 years in Australia with a focus on Property and Business Transactions and Disputes, Competition and Consumer Law and general commercial advisory.
Joel Marshall has a passion for business and with his balanced commercial approach to legal services is a perfect fit to Hitch Advisory’s expert team. In his downtime Joel Marshall likes surfing, fishing and exploring the great outdoors.
Christopher Farah
Senior Associate
(02) 9068 1868
Christopher Farah is an experienced and pragmatic litigator specialising in commercial litigation, insolvency and dispute resolution. Christopher advises and acts for a range of Australian corporations and individuals in highly contested disputes, and frequently appears as an advocate in Australia’s Federal and Supreme Courts.
Christopher Farah is an experienced and pragmatic litigator specialising in commercial litigation, insolvency and dispute resolution. Christopher advises and acts for a range of Australian corporations and individuals in highly contested disputes, and frequently appears as an advocate in Australia’s Federal and Supreme Courts.
Having been involved in a number of businesses outside of the practice of law, Christopher understands the impacts which legal matters can have on a business, and he is relied on to provide advice, strategies and outcomes for his clients with those impacts in mind. Away from the office, Chris enjoys discovering rural Australian towns and keeping fit by chasing after his young son.
Hayley Hewitt
Senior Associate
(02) 9188 6884
Hayley acts for a diverse client base including individuals, property developers, small to medium sized businesses, and large companies, in a range of industries.
Hayley Hewitt acts for a diverse client base including individuals, property developers, small to medium sized businesses, and large companies, in a range of industries.
Hayley Hewitt has experience in a broad range of matters including sale and purchase of residential and commercial property, leasing, sale and purchase of small businesses, building and construction disputes, and drafting various commercial agreements. Taking a practical approach to her work, Hayley is committed to developing and maintaining strong relationships with her clients to achieve their legal needs.
Outside of work, Hayley Hewitt enjoys relaxing at the beach, socialising, and learning Portuguese.
Lazar Krstic
Senior Associate
(02) 8123 8692
Lazar Krstic acts for individuals and organisations of all sizes, assisting with their start-up, transactional and dispute resolution requirements. Lazar oversees both contentious and non-contentious matters, with a particular interest in mergers & acquisitions, Competition and Consumer Law and general business and transactional matters. Lazar has extensive litigation experience, having appeared in various jurisdictions throughout Australia. In 2020, Lazar was listed as a finalist in the Australian Lawyers Weekly – 30 Under 30 Awards (Commercial Law). Outside of the office, he attends the gym regularly, passionately supports Chelsea Football Club and recharges his batteries by travelling the world.
Lazar Krstic acts for individuals and organisations of all sizes, assisting with their start-up, transactional and dispute resolution requirements. Lazar oversees both contentious and non-contentious matters, with a particular interest in mergers & acquisitions, Competition and Consumer Law and general business and transactional matters. Lazar has extensive litigation experience, having appeared in various jurisdictions throughout Australia.
In 2020, Lazar was listed as a finalist in the Australian Lawyers Weekly – 30 Under 30 Awards (Commercial Law).
Outside of the office, he attends the gym regularly, passionately supports Chelsea Football Club and recharges his batteries by travelling the world.
James Cooper
Lawyer
(02) 9068 1866
James has over 5 years’ experience acting predominantly on property matters. James comes to Hitch Advisory from a role at a top-tier international firm at which he provided property advice for several Government departments, large commercial entities and trustees.
James has over 5 years’ experience acting predominantly on property matters. James comes to Hitch Advisory from a role at a top-tier international firm at which he provided property advice for several Government departments, large commercial entities and trustees.
With a recent focus on complex leasing matters, property acquisitions and divestments, James has also previously provided generalist advice in civil disputes, Retirement Villages Act transactions and has both appeared and instructed Counsel in local and district court criminal matters. In his spare time, James enjoys rock climbing, surfing and has recently began his Jiu Jitsu journey.
Madeliene Somerville
Lawyer
(02) 8213 6306
Madeliene works in our Commercial Law team with a focus on insolvency and intellectual property. In her spare time, Maddy enjoys swimming and training at the beach, socialising and enjoying time with the family.
Madeliene works in our Commercial Law team with a focus on insolvency and intellectual property. In her spare time, Maddy enjoys swimming and training at the beach, socialising and enjoying time with the family.
Nilufer Naeem
Lawyer
(02) 9068 1864
Nilufer works in our Commercial Law team and provides a broad range of commercial and corporate legal services to Hitch Advisory Clients. Outside of work, Nilufer enjoys travelling and spending time with her friends and family.
Nilufer works in our Commercial Law team and provides a broad range of commercial and corporate legal services to Hitch Advisory Clients. Outside of work, Nilufer enjoys travelling and spending time with her friends and family.
Rachel Platt
Conveyancing Manager
(02) 9068 1865
Rachel Platt has more than 20 years’ experience specialising in Conveyancing. Rachel is skilled at interpreting complex technical instructions and drafting a wide variety of business and property transaction related documents.
Rachel Platt has more than 20 years’ experience specialising in Conveyancing. Rachel is skilled at interpreting complex technical instructions and drafting a wide variety of business and property transaction related documents.
Rachel is passionate about providing outstanding service for her clients to meet their legal requirements. Away from the office Rachel enjoys coastal walks, exercise and spending time with her family and friends.
Jacob Karp supports our Commercial Law team with a wide range of legal tasks. Jacob is completing his law degree at the University of New South Wales and in his spare time enjoys playing all kinds of team sport.
Jacob Karp supports our Commercial Law team with a wide range of legal tasks. Jacob is completing his law degree at the University of New South Wales and in his spare time enjoys playing all kinds of team sport.
Sara Deed
Legal Assistant
(02) 8123 0928
Sara assists our Principals and Senior Legal team. Sara is completing a Bachelor of Business (Business Law). In her spare time Sara enjoys coastal walks and trying out new breakfast spots.
Sara assists our Principals and Senior Legal team. Sara is completing a Bachelor of Business (Business Law). In her spare time Sara enjoys coastal walks and trying out new breakfast spots.
We work with industry leaders.
