Our Team

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.

Paul Henry leads the Hitch Advisory Mergers and Acquisitions practice. He 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 leads the Hitch Advisory Franchising practice and is an expert in General Commercial Law. Having commenced his practice in New Zealand, Joel is well versed in assisting businesses with international expansion, structuring and strategic business advice. In his down time Joel likes surfing, fishing and exploring the great outdoors.

Tim McGrath leads the Hitch Advisory Litigation and Disputes practice. Tim advises and acts on a range of disputes and litigated matters with particular expertise in insolvency and bankruptcy, complex corporate disputes, shareholder/partnership conflicts, taxation and revenue matters. Tim also regularly advises high-net-worth individuals and families on disputed matters relating to estate and trust arrangements and trust administration.

Whilst Tim’s practice often sees him act for clients in large scale litigation, his focus is on seeking to achieve early commercial resolution of matters where possible.

Outside of work, Tim enjoys running, cycling and ocean swimming.

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.

Hayley Hewitt acts for a diverse client base in a range of industries, including advising Australia’s largest travel retailers, childcare operators, and property developers.

Hayley is an expert in property related transactions including the sale and purchase of both residential and commercial properties, development projects, and commercial and retail leasing.

Hayley also has extensive experience advising clients in a range of commercial transactions, with a particular focus on the childcare industry. As a result of her strong understanding of the childcare industry, Hayley regularly advises on the sale and purchase of childcare centres, together with the sale, purchase and/or leasing of land which is used or intended to be used for a childcare business.

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.

Maryanne Pollifrone is a Senior Associate in Wills, Estates & Succession Planning Team. Maryanne adopts a pragmatic approach to assisting clients with their estate and succession planning needs by breaking down legal concepts into plain English and implementing an empathetic approach to providing solutions. Maryanne also has experience dealing with deceased estate matters and contested estates.

Outside of work Maryanne enjoys socialising, travel and coastal walks.

Hayden is a Senior Associate in our litigation team. While Hayden has a broad practice across commercial, corporate, property and employment disputes and litigation, he has a particular interest in Wills and Estate disputes (including Family Provision Applications).

Hayden builds strong relationships with his clients and is focused on delivering holistic, practical, and effective legal advice.

Outside of the office Hayden enjoys golf and spending time with his friends and family.

Jack acts for a range of corporate and retail clients, working with them to understand and manage their ongoing legal needs.

With extensive experience advising on business transactions and general commercial law, Jack’s advice reflects a strong understanding of the commercial needs of his clients.

Jack is experienced acting for clients within the pharmacy industry, advising on the setup of new pharmacies, the purchase and sale of existing pharmacies, as well as general compliance and structuring matters.

Out of the office you will often find Jack scuba diving, camping, and spending time with his family.

Benjamin Tran acts for an extensive range of individuals and corporations across different industries. In addition to general commercial law, Benjamin is particularly skilled in facilitating complex commercial and property transactions and takes a pragmatic approach when managing client needs.

In his spare time, Benjamin enjoys traversing around Australia and the rest of the world in search of excellent restaurants and bars and is particularly fond of Japan

Chloe is a lawyer in our litigation and disputes resolution team.

Chloe regularly acts and advises clients in relation to commercial disputes including shareholder and director disputes. However, she has particular interest and experience in trusts and estate litigation (including family provision proceedings) having acted in and advised on litigation involving trust and/or estates worth in excess of $50 million.

Whilst Chloe’s practice involves litigation, she is often called on to advise clients on the options available to prevent litigation and assists clients in reaching commercial outcomes where possible.

Outside of the office, Chloe enjoys travelling, hiking, snowboarding and tennis.

Joss McCay is a commercial property lawyer focused on acquisitions and disposals, leasing, and property-related disputes.

Whether you are a large corporate landholder or a first home buyer, Joss understands the importance of delivering clear, concise and timely advice.

Outside of the office, Joss enjoys travelling, learning new languages (Joss speaks Mandarin), and participating in ocean swims.

Matthew is a commercial litigation lawyer with a focus on corporate and personal insolvency. He regularly acts for creditors seeking recovery of a disputed debt and its enforcement, including security interests.

Matthew regularly acts for and advises trustees and liquidators in the conduct of their duties, gaining extensive experience in all Courts and Tribunals in New South Wales, Victoria and Federal jurisdictions and as a Trial advocate in the New South Wales Supreme Court.

Outside of the office Matthew is the proud father of two children, a motorcycle enthusiast and enjoys watching European football.

Mariah is a lawyer in the corporate and commercial team dedicated to assisting clients with all of their commercial needs with a particularly keen interest in mergers and acquisitions. 

Mariah brings enthusiasm and a growing expertise to an array of different clients requiring specialised needs, including a variety of healthcare clients.  

Out of the office, you will usually find Mariah exploring new restaurants and bars with family and friends.

Marnie is a lawyer in the General Commercial team and assists in commercial disputes, terms of trade, corporate structuring, commercial leasing and general contractual matters. Marnie has a particular interest in franchising and works with franchisors across various industries to assist with their ongoing legal needs.

Marnie takes a pragmatic approach to commercial matters and strives to achieve the best possible outcome for clients.

In her spare time Marnie likes to knit and walk her greyhound Peach.

Ruby is a highly motivated junior lawyer who works across both the Litigation and the General Commercial teams. Ruby is delivery-focused and detail oriented. Ruby has worked across a range of commercial and litigious matters in both the Federal and Supreme Court of NSW.

Outside of work, Ruby enjoys playing football, skiing, and travelling.

Caitlin is a lawyer in the commercial property team and has experience in a broad range of property related transactions with a particular focus on the sale and purchase of both residential and commercial properties and leasing.

In her role, Caitlin takes a practical approach and aims to deliver a quality and timely service to all of her clients to achieve their various legal needs.

Outside of the office, you will often find Caitlin either exploring new restaurants and cafes, relaxing by the beach or at the gym.

Nikola is a lawyer in the General Commercial team and assists in the provision of advice on mergers & acquisitions, commercial disputes and general contractual matters.

Having previously worked in-house advising leading Australian and international corporations, Nik has a strong understanding of how business works and implements a practical approach to everyday advice.

Outside of the office, Nik enjoys weightlifting, boxing, and playing guitar.