Mills Oakley Lawyers

We have the expertise and experience to assist clients with legal issues and strategic advice. 

We find that our retail and distribution clients are often looking for strategic as well as commercial advice from us. We are able to bring a wealth of experience and expertise.  We have a focused team boasting lawyers with expertise in all areas of law relevant to the business needs of retailers and distributors.  In particular the combination of corporate lawyers, taxation lawyers, intellectual property lawyers and employment lawyers make us well placed to assist you. Mills Oakley provides clients with the full range of services including the services set out below.

Mills Oakley is a member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPSA) and our partner, Warren Scott, is a committee member of the Victorian/Tasmanian division of CIPSA.

Strategy and structuring

• Structuring for asset protection and tax effectiveness (including companies, trusts and/or a corporate group)
• Strategic planning including consideration of succession and exit

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• Pre-sale services to become “investor ready”
• M&A strategies
• Introductions to our private equity, venture capital and banking contacts
• Due diligence support and services
• Drafting information memorandums
• Sale or acquisition agreements
• IPO documentation
• Finance and security agreements

Documentation & Management

• Supply and distribution agreements
• Intellectual property licenses
• International supply and distribution arrangements
• Franchise agreements
• Terms of trade and supply arrangements
• Trade practices advice and training
• Trade practices compliance programs
• Retail leasing

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• Identification of intellectual property and strategies for protection
• Registration of intellectual property as well as monitoring and maintenance of intellectual property registrations
• Availability searches and reports
• Strategies for protection of recipes and other confidential information
• Licensing of intellectual property

Disputes and Negotiation

• Strategic advice to limit, settle or avoid disputes
• Advice regarding disputes between franchisees and franchisors as well as disputes with suppliers and landlords
• Representation at mediations
• Court and tribunal proceedings

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• Assisting management of Brumby’s during takeover negotiations
• Advising on the acquisition of the Price Attack retail network (with over 130 stores), which was a public to private transaction
• Advising Kenworth Trucks on supply contracts
• Advising members of Witchery management in relation to the sale of Witchery
• Acting for Continental, a multi-national tyre manufacturer in relation to their distribution strategy
• Negotiating international master franchise agreements for Hobby Town Australia and T2 (Tea Too)
• Advising Matthews Australasia Pty Ltd in relation to distribution and service agreements

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Key contact

Warren Scott
Partner
T: 61 3 9605 0984 
F: 61 3 9605 0933
E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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