Corporate & Commercial Law

Nick Hitchens is the Founder and Managing Principal of Hitch Advisory.

He is an expert in business structuring, mergers and  acquisitions and employee equity solutions.

Nick founded Hitch Advisory to ensure legal advice is proactive, practical and precise. He believes that lawyers should facilitate and add value to personal and business relationships.

Nick is now responsible for growing and managing the Hitch Advisory team.

He makes time to ensure that client relationships are maintained and clients are achieving their goals with the assistance of the Hitch team.

In his spare time, Nick enjoys spending time with his two daughters, travelling, running, Muay Thai and anything ocean related.

Paul Henry leads the Hitch Advisory Mergers and Acquisitions team.  He has circa 15 years’ of corporate and commercial experience advising clients across a variety of industries and deal sizes.  His transaction highlights include acting for Kids Club in the sale of 18 of its childcare centres to Affinity Education Group, acting for the founders of BodyScience on their sale to Humble Group, and for Link in the acquisition of PEXA by a consortium comprising Link, CBA and Morgan Stanley Infrastructure.  

 Paul also has an Executive MBA (AGSM) and experience working in-house (Qantas and Metcash) 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 playing soccer or running around with his kids.

Joel Marshall leads the Hitch Advisory Franchising team at Hitch Advisory.

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.

Lazar Krstic is a Principal in our Corporate and Commercial Law team. Lazar advises and acts on a range of matters, with a keen focus on mergers and acquisitions, childcare and retail law.

 Lazar also leads the Hitch Advisory Employment Law team and advises and acts on behalf of our clients on contentious and non-contentions matters in that area.

 In his downtime, you will find Lazar training Muay Thai, waking up in the wee hours to watch his beloved Chelsea FC or travelling the world.

Hayley Hewitt leads the Hitch Advisory Property team.   She acts for a diverse client base in a range of industries, including advising Australia’s largest travel retailers, childcare operators, and property developers.

Hayley has extensive experience advising clients in a range of commercial transactions and 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 prides herself on being practical, down-to-earth, and detail-oriented. She is committed to developing and maintaining strong relationships with her clients to understand and achieve their legal needs.

Outside of work, Hayley enjoys relaxing at the beach, socialising, and spending time with her young family.

Benjamin Tran acts for an extensive range of individuals and corporations across different industries, with a particular focus on childcare.

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.

Jack is a Senior Associate in our Corporate and Commercial team, with a particular focus on healthcare (medical and pharmacy).

Acting for a range of corporate clients, Jack has particular expertise dealing in healthcare (medical and pharmacy), M&A, and franchising.  

Jack acts on both healthcare transactions as well as advising on regulatory matters in the healthcare space (e.g. Pharmacy Council applications).

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

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

Joss is an Associate on the Hitch Advisory Property team who specialises in acquisitions and disposals, retail leasing, property development and property-related disputes. With a keen understanding of the diverse needs of his clientele, ranging from property trusts to some of Australia’s largest retailers, Joss is dedicated to providing clear, concise and timely legal advice.

Joss is particularly adept at advising clients with real estate portfolios across multiple states and territories. His in-depth knowledge of the legal landscape in various states and territories allows him to provide comprehensive guidance that aligns with the nuanced requirements of his client’s diverse portfolios.

Outside of work, you’ll find Joss freediving, ocean swimming, and generally taking advantage of all the incredible beaches that Sydney has to offer.

Mariah is a dynamic Associate in the Corporate and Commercial team at Hitch Advisory dedicated to assisting clients with all of their commercial needs.

Mariah has a particularly keen interest in navigating the intricate landscapes of mergers and acquisitions and stands out for her enthusiasm, dedication and insight which extends across various sectors, with an emphasis on catering to the intricate needs of pharmacy and healthcare clients.

Mariah has acted on a variety of commercial transactions with deal values of up to $40M+ and provides ongoing legal advice to businesses that range from small enterprises to international retailers.

Beyond her professional commitments, you will usually find Mariah exploring new restaurants and bars with family and friends.

Marnie is a lawyer in the Corporate and 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. In particular she has assisted leading businesses clients such as Guzman y Gomez, Toni & Guy, Zeus Street Greek and Anytime Fitness with a broad range of franchising issues and disputes.

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 our litigation and general commercial team. Ruby’s main areas of practice encompass litigation, Wills and Estates and employment law.

Ruby is delivery-focused and detail oriented, providing a broad variety of clients with clear and effective advice.

Outside of the office, Ruby is a keen football player and enjoys skiing with her family.

Caitlin is an Associate in the Hitch Advisory Property team. Caitlin brings a wealth of experience in various property-related transactions with a keen focus on commercial and retail leasing, the sale and purchase of residential and commercial properties, off-the-plan development projects and other general property related matters.

In particular, Caitlin has assisted some of Australia’s leading retailers such as Muffin Break, Jamaica Blue, Zeus Street Greek, Anytime Fitness and CUE with a range of leasing matters. From navigating complex deals involving major retailers to facilitating seamless residential transactions, Caitlin consistently delivers excellence that speaks for itself. Her collaborative and practical approach ensures that clients receive comprehensive and timely legal support tailored to their needs.

Outside the office, Caitlin indulges in her passion for discovering Sydney’s hidden coffee gems, enjoying quality time with loved ones, and staying active with coastal walks (typically with an iced latte in hand) and Pilates.

Nikola is an Associate in the Corporate and Commercial team, offering a general and comprehensive skill set spanning across mergers & acquisitions, commercial disputes, intellectual property, employment law, and general contractual matters.

Nikola boasts a versatile and comprehensive skill set that encompasses various facets of legal practice. His expertise extends across mergers and acquisitions, where he navigates the complexities of corporate transactions with precision and acumen.

Nikola brings together a range of skills to navigate various legal challenges. Whether it’s working on mergers and acquisitions, resolving commercial disputes, protecting intellectual property, managing employment disputes and issues, or handling general contracts, Nikola strives to provide comprehensive solutions. Nikola aims to provide clients with practical and well-rounded legal support in the diverse aspects of their business dealings.

Beyond the confines of the office, Nikola finds solace in activities such as weightlifting, boxing, and strumming a few tunes on the guitar.