Is a commercial lawyer a corporate lawyer?

Is a Commercial Lawyer a Corporate Lawyer?

A commercial lawyer and a corporate lawyer are not necessarily the same, although the two areas overlap and some lawyers practise in both.

Commercial law generally focuses on the legal issues involved in operating and trading as a business. This can include commercial contracts, supplier and customer agreements, licensing, intellectual property arrangements, leasing, regulatory obligations, debt recovery and business disputes.

Corporate law is more closely concerned with the company itself, its ownership, governance and major transactions. A corporate lawyer may advise on company structures, shareholder agreements, director duties, capital raising, mergers, acquisitions, corporate restructures and the purchase or sale of shares.

What Is the Difference Between Commercial and Corporate Law?

A simple way to distinguish the two is:

Commercial law often deals with how a business conducts its everyday commercial relationships; and
Corporate law often deals with how a company is formed, owned, governed, financed or transferred.

Where Do Commercial and Corporate Law Overlap?

The distinction is not absolute. A business acquisition, for example, may involve corporate structuring, due diligence, finance, employment issues and numerous commercial contracts. One firm may have lawyers from several practice areas working together on the transaction.

The right lawyer therefore depends more on the particular matter than on the job title alone. A business seeking help with a supply agreement may need strong commercial-contract experience, while shareholders planning a company sale may require a corporate transactions lawyer.

When comparing Perth lawyers, describe the issue and ask whether the practitioner regularly handles matters of that kind. Relevant experience is generally more useful than relying only on the broad label of commercial or corporate lawyer.

Related Commercial and Corporate Legal Services

Disclaimer: This information is general and does not constitute legal advice. Obtain advice from a qualified lawyer about your particular circumstances.