Business Sale & Contract Lawyer Sydney

Whether you’re buying, selling, signing, transferring, escalating or looking for a quick resolution, McMullan Lawyers was established to give business owners a straight answer, and a clear view of what to do next.

Not sure where to start?
Tell me what’s going on.

About

Emily McMullan

Founding Principal

"I help business owners get the legal side right, so they can get on with running their business."

Emily McMullan is the Founding Principal of McMullan Lawyers.

Emily holds a Bachelor of Civil Laws from the University of Oxford and a First Class Honours degree in Law from the University of New South Wales. She was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 2010 and to the High Court of Australia in 2011.

She began her legal career in the Litigation Practice Group at Corrs Chambers Westgarth and served as Tipstaff to two Justices of the New South Wales Court of Appeal. These roles provided early exposure to complex commercial disputes and appellate reasoning at the highest level.

For more than 15 years, Emily has lectured in private law, contract law, business associations and civil dispute resolution at the University of New South Wales. This experience has shaped her distinctive approach to practice: careful analysis, clear explanation, and strategic thinking grounded in first principles.

Emily’s work is focused on helping individuals and small to medium businesses understand complicated legal situations and make informed, confident decisions about how to proceed.

“We truly appreciate all the hard work and effort you have put into these negotiations. These are very positive outcomes, and we are grateful to have your support and guidance throughout this process.”

– Kehong and Hadi, incoming franchisees

Working with me

Legal advice designed to help you make decisions and get things done.

You deal with me

I am a sole practitioner. The person you speak to in the first conversation is the person doing the work, and that does not change as the matter goes on. You have direct access to the person with responsibility for your matter.

Giving you the tools to run your business

I look beyond the immediate legal issue to how your business operates and where it is going. I aim to put the right contracts, structures and systems in place so you can make decisions and run the business with as little ongoing legal support as possible.

A scope and quote within
48 hours

Tell me what is going on and I will work out what is actually involved, what needs to happen and what it will cost. That comes back to you within 48 hours and often the same day. There is no charge for this and no obligation to proceed.

Your legal fees pay for
legal work

I run the practice efficiently and use technology to reduce unnecessary overhead. Where possible, I offer fixed fees and, for larger matters, stage the work so you can budget for costs as the matter progresses. The aim is to keep your legal spend focused on the work that actually adds value.

No jargon, no assumed knowledge

I have lectured in contract law, private law and civil dispute resolution at UNSW for more than fifteen years. Explaining complicated legal ideas to people who have not encountered them before has been a large part of my working life. You should understand your position, your options and what I recommend.

You get a recommendation, not a menu

Options are useful, but you are paying for a view. I will tell you what I think you should do and why. If I think a course of action is unlikely to be worthwhile, I will tell you that too.

We truly appreciate all the hard work and effort you have put into these negotiations. These are very positive outcomes, and we are grateful to have your support and guidance throughout this process.

– Kehong and Hadi, incoming franchisees

Services

Buying and Selling Businesses

Acting for buyers and sellers of small and medium businesses, from the first offer through due diligence to completion. This covers the sale agreement, what happens to the lease, the staff and the key contracts, and whether the restraint will hold. The aim is to get the deal done efficiently now without leaving you exposed later.

Business Ownership

Advising on the agreements between the people who own a business, including shareholder agreements, partnership agreements, unitholder and joint venture arrangements, and the terms on which an owner joins or leaves. This covers decision-making, contributions, and what happens when those arrangements change. I also help owners plan ahead for disagreement, retirement, incapacity and an eventual sale.

Franchises

Advising people buying into a franchise system, franchisees transferring or selling, and franchisees reaching the end of a term. Franchise documents can be complex, and I help you understand the important terms, risks and obligations, including the term and renewal position, leases and licences, fees, territory, supply arrangements and fit-out obligations.

Contracts and Terms of Trade

Drafting, reviewing and negotiating the contracts your business uses and the contracts you are asked to sign. This includes terms and conditions, service and supply agreements, contractor and consultancy agreements, and the documents used to quote, vary and invoice work. I can also identify where your existing contracts leave you exposed and put practical terms in place to manage risk and protect your interests.

Property, Leases and Co-Ownership

Advising on commercial leases, property bought or sold as part of a business, boundaries and encroachments, and property that is owned with other people. I can assist with co-ownership arrangements, including where trusts are involved, and resolving issues around occupation, contributions and sale when co-owners no longer agree.

Commercial Disputes

Acting for businesses and individuals in contract disputes, debt recovery, shareholder and co-owner disagreements, and claims involving misleading conduct or unfair contract terms under the Australian Consumer Law. Most matters resolve through negotiation. Where proceedings are necessary, they are run with a clear view of cost and likely outcome.