

Strategic legal solutions for business and private clients Hicks Oakley Chessell Williams is a Melbourne law firm that has been protecting the commercial and personal interests of clients since 1961. We provide expert legal advice with the accessibility and personalised service of a local practice. Whether you are a company director, business owner or individual facing a complex issue, our focus is on clear advice and decisive action to achieve your objectives. The HOCW Advantage We offer the benefit of Law Institute of Victoria Accredited Specialists in commercial litigation and wills & estates. Our team supports clients through the full business lifecycle, from startup and compliance through growth, disputes, restructuring and insolvency. We are outcomes-focused litigators, using both robust advocacy and strategic negotiation to resolve disputes efficiently and protect your bottom line. Our Core Services * Commercial Law: Practical advice on business structuring, contracts, regulatory compliance, and business sales and purchases for companies, organisations and private directors. * Commercial Litigation and Insolvency: Guidance on debt recovery, contractual disputes, corporate misconduct and insolvency matters, with a strong emphasis on risk management. * Property and Conveyancing: Assistance with commercial and residential transactions, including leases, auction advice and property transfers. * Private client services: Wills, estates and family law services tailored for business owners and individuals to protect assets and personal security. Based in the Melbourne CBD and Mount Waverley, our lawyers have over 150 years of combined experience. We are known for our stability, continuity and ability to handle complex matters without the distance often found in larger firms. Clients have direct access to senior practitioners who take the time to understand both their commercial goals and personal circumstances.
Our Commercial Litigation & Insolvency lawyers help businesses resolve disputes efficiently, manage financial pressure and protect their commercial interests. We focus on early, practical solutions to avoid costly and disruptive court proceedings where possible, using negotiation and mediation to reach commercially sensible outcomes. Our team assists with contract and business disputes, shareholder and partnership issues, debt recovery, corporate and director disputes, and property, leasing, building and franchise matters. We also advise company directors, creditors and insolvency practitioners on statutory demands, restructuring, voluntary administration and liquidation, helping you understand your options, manage personal risk and move forward with confidence.
Our commercial lawyers, based in Melbourne and Mount Waverley, provide practical advice to businesses across Victoria, helping build strong legal foundations to support growth and reduce disputes. We advise on business structuring and governance, prepare shareholder and unitholder agreements, and draft, review and negotiate key commercial contracts, including supply, service, IP, confidentiality, terms and conditions, and loan and security documents. We also support business sales and purchases, including due diligence and asset or share transactions, and assist with succession planning so owners can transition smoothly while protecting their legacy and financial security.
OVERALL RATING
4.7
39 ratings
OVERALL RATING
4.7
39 ratings
COMMUNICATION
-
APPROACHABILITY
-
PROFESSIONALISM
-
LEGAL KNOWLEDGE
-
VALUE FOR MONEY
-
Hicks Oakley Chessell Williams Lawyers hasn't received any ratings or recommendations yet