Business & Commercial Lawyers

Practical Advice. Clear Agreements. Confident Decisions.

We make business law easy to understand. Our commercial team works with businesses across Aotearoa/New Zealand, providing straightforward legal advice that helps you make confident decisions and protect what you’ve built.

How We Can Help

We advise on a wide range of matters, including:


  • Buying or selling a business
  • Starting a new venture
  • Shareholder agreements and governance
  • Business structures and tax implications
  • Drafting and negotiating contracts
  • Intellectual property protection
  • Commercial property and leasing
  • Corporate transactions and disputes

Expert Support for Your Business

If you're facing a business dispute, our commercial dispute resolution and debt collection teams are here to help resolve issues quickly and efficiently. As experienced commercial lawyers in New Zealand, we help businesses navigate contracts, governance, and disputes


We also have a dedicated team of employment law specialists who can support you with hiring, managing, and protecting your workforce.


Looking to assess your business risk? Ask us about our Business Warrant of Fitness review.

Speciality Lawyers

Latest Insights for Business Owners

Practical guidance on the issues, risks, and decisions facing New Zealand businesses.

Spotlight on our Commercial Team
May 4, 2026
Smith and Partners’ Commercial team supports businesses across Auckland and beyond with practical, commercially grounded advice.
Shared Agreements, Shared Risk?
By Bethany Sweeney May 1, 2026
If you have ever signed a commercial contract , loan or lease with someone else, there is a good chance you have agreed to be jointly and severally liable.
Governance Reviews for Charities: A New Triennial Duty Now Falls Due
By Chantal Laidler April 28, 2026
From the 5th of October 2023, all registered charitable entities in New Zealand became subject to a new statutory duty to review their governance procedures.
Why Supply Agreements matter for New Zealand Businesses
By Chantal Laidler April 21, 2026
A properly drafted supply agreement is not just a formality. Its a critical risk‑management tool for both parties, providing certainty and protection during disputes