John is a Director of Mahony Taren Lawyers.  Previously he was a Partner of Michell Sillar for 23 years and a Partner of Abbott Tout for 6 years and for one year a partner of Home Wilkinson Lowry.  He has acted for many large corporations, local councils, government departments, as well as individuals.

John has particular expertise in commercial drafting and interpretation, as well as commercial problem solving.  John has run numerous large corporate acquisitions and reconstructions, requiring significant expertise in tax, commercial law and intellectual property and trade practices law.

John prides himself not only on his “black letter” law abilities, but also his commercial ability and straightforward approach – he can distil complex commercial arrangements into simple, understandable and effective documentation.

John is also heavily involved in many different types of Commercial Litigation.

Commercial and Corporate law:

• Extensive and varied commercial and legal advice to Corporations (large and small), Partnerships, Incorporated Associations, Unincorporated Associations, Statutory Authorities, Trusts and individuals on various matters including: manufacturing and distribution agreements (national and international), Agency Agreements, Unit and Discretionary Trusts, Trade Practices, ASIC and ACCC
  compliance, sports advertising and management agreements, Multi media production agreements, Management and Consultancy Agreements, Confidentiality Agreements, Licence Agreements of many types, Brokerage Contracts, Heads of Agreement and M.O.U.s and Project Management Agreements.
• M.B.O., share sale and purchase agreements and transactions, sale and purchase of businesses, Joint Ventures, Partnership Agreements, Shareholder Agreements, Buy/Sell agreements, Unit holder Agreements, Due Diligence investigations.

Commercial Property -

Including freehold and leasehold transactions of all types for the Private Sector (especially Developers) and the Public Sector (including Local Councils).

Franchising advice and structuring -

John has acted for both Franchisors and Franchisees in the following areas:

• Drafting amendments to Franchise Agreements;
• Drafting amendments to Disclosure Documents under the Franchising Code of Conduct;
• Advising on Franchisors’/Franchisees’ rights and responsibilities under the Franchising Code of Conduct;
• Acting for the Franchisors and Franchisees in relation to disputes and/or litigation by and against Franchisees/Franchisors;
• Drafting all necessary commercial documents required by Franchisors;
• Providing commercial advice as and when required including Trade Practices advice, Intellectual Property advice and Trade Mark and Copyright advice;
• Perusing and considering all necessary commercial documents on behalf of Franchisors and Franchisees as required;
• Acting on the purchase and sale for Franchisees of franchised businesses within the network.

Securities advice-

Including drafting and advising on mortgages, guarantees, loan instruments, bills of sale, company charges and various other forms of security.

Local Government Act advice

Including advice for many local councils on many issues including tendering, meetings procedure, probity, conflicts of interest, ICAC, Codes of Conduct, revenue sources and constraints, Ultra Vires and Due Diligence.

Commercial litigation,

Including litigation arising from commercial agreements, Trade Practices breaches, loan securities disputes, fraud and Corporations Law breaches and several “Class Actions”.

Qualifications