Chris Lillie

Chris Lillie is a Director at Bennett & Philp Lawyers and a valued member of the Business Advisory team. He provides strategic legal advice to both Australian and international businesses, specialising in commercial law and complex transactions across diverse industries including manufacturing, automotive, professional services, and recruitment. Chris has considerable experience in managing all stages of business sales and acquisitions, ranging from small private transfers to intricate multi-entity deals. He also advises on business and corporate structuring matters such as shareholder arrangements, group reorganisations, buy-backs, and asset protection strategies. His expertise extends to commercial and retail leasing, representing landlords and tenants in retail, industrial, and office property matters. Chris is adept at contract drafting and negotiation, handling supply agreements, services contracts, and long-form commercial arrangements. He is also skilled in finance and securities, covering areas like private lending, loan documentation, and security packages. Among his recent accomplishments, Chris acted on the sale of A1 Rubber, a prominent Queensland rubber manufacturer, to Straight Bat Private Equity in 2023. In 2024, he advised the shareholders of the Motorama Group on the sale of the business to Hawai‘i-based Servco Group, one of the most significant automotive sector transactions in Australia in recent years. Known for his approachable and practical manner, Chris works closely with clients to structure transactions efficiently, manage risk sensitively, and guide negotiations effectively. His extensive commercial and property knowledge, combined with a solid foundation in business and tax structuring, enables him to support clients through every phase of a business's life cycle.