Jess Hill,Commercial, Disputes and Employment Expert in Melbourne

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Director

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Location

Melbourne, Australia

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Award Winning Law Firm – Top Specialist Firm & Top Boutique Firm (Australasian Lawyer)

A trusted adviser to businesses and their directors, Jess advises on complex transactions, disputes and employment matters.

Working across the firm’s Commercial, Disputes and Employment practices, she helps clients navigate the intersection of business strategy, legal risk and regulatory compliance.

Her practice spans both front-end advisory work and complex litigation. Jess regularly advises on mergers and acquisitions, business sales, restructures, capital raisings, joint ventures and shareholder arrangements, including the structuring and negotiation of complex transactions. She has advised clients on matters ranging from privately held business sales to transactions exceeding $200 million.

Jess also represents clients in complex commercial and employment disputes before state and federal courts, the Fair Work Commission and the Administrative Review Tribunal. Her experience includes corporate and contractual disputes, defending employers in complex dismissal, general protections and sexual harassment claims, and regulatory matters involving ASQA and registered training organisations.

Clients value Jess’s commercial judgment and focused advocacy. She brings a practical and strategic approach to high-pressure matters, working closely with clients to resolve disputes efficiently and deliver outcomes aligned with their broader business objectives.

Jess regularly presents to accountants, advisers and legal practitioners on commercial and employment law issues, including for professional bodies such as CPA Australia, the Institute of Public Accountants and The Tax Institute, as well as leading legal education providers including Leo Cussen and The Education Network.

Advising a director and beneficiary of a trust in connection with the sale of a business as part of a transaction exceeding $200 million.
Acting for the vendor in a confidential $15m+ share sale transaction.
Acting for the purchaser in a confidential $10m+ share sale transaction.
Representing the respondent in a successful appeal before the Victorian Court of Appeal in Waters & Ors v Diesel Holdings Pty Ltd & Ors [2024] VSCA 77.
Acting for employers in complex dismissal, general protections and sexual harassment claims, including matters involving serious workplace misconduct.
Advising universities on the implementation of complex enterprise software systems and negotiating related implementation agreements.
Advising registered training organisations on ASQA compliance, funding arrangements and Administrative Review Tribunal review proceedings.

Startup and Capital Raising

Startup and capital raising work involves bringing new funding into a business while managing regulatory requirements, investor expectations, and the impact on ownership and control through different stages of growth.

Learn about Startup and Capital Raising

Shareholders Agreements

A shareholders agreement (and related co-ownership agreements) provides a clear framework for how a business or investment is owned, managed and protected when there is more than one owner. Whether ownership is held through a company, unit trust, partnership or another structure, clear agreements help co-owners navigate change, manage uncertainty, and reduce the risk of disputes as circumstances evolve.

Learn about Shareholders Agreements

Franchise Law

Franchising involves committing to a long-term business relationship with defined rights, obligations, and expectations. Clear legal advice helps franchisors and franchisees understand where they stand and move forward with confidence.

Learn about Franchise Law

Business Partnership Disputes

Business partnership disputes arise when partners disagree about how a business is managed, how responsibilities are shared, or how financial interests are handled. These disputes can affect operations, relationships, and the ongoing viability of the business.

Learn about Business Partnership Disputes

Commercial Litigation and Disputes

Commercial litigation and disputes often arise when business disagreements cannot be resolved through negotiation or informal means. A formal legal process can provide structure, clarity, and a path toward resolution.

Learn about Commercial Litigation and Disputes

Employment Restructures and Redundancy

Employment restructures and redundancy involve changes to roles and workforce arrangements where positions may be altered or cease to exist, often requiring careful planning to balance organisational needs with workforce impacts.

Learn about Employment Restructures and Redundancy

Restraint of Trade

Restraint of trade clauses are contractual restrictions that limit a person’s ability to work or conduct business during or after an employment or commercial relationship, and can have significant implications for future roles or business activity.

Learn about Restraint of Trade

Commercial Lease Disputes

Commercial lease disputes involve disagreements between landlords and tenants about how lease terms are interpreted or applied, with potential implications for cost, use of premises, and ongoing operations.

Learn about Commercial Lease Disputes

Property Disputes

Property disputes arise where there is disagreement about ownership, use, access, or rights relating to land or real estate. Understanding your position and available options can help reduce uncertainty and support practical resolution.

Learn about Property Disputes

Share Purchase and Sale Agreements

A share purchase agreement governs how ownership in a company is transferred and how risk is allocated between the buyer and seller as control changes hands under a share sale transaction.

Learn about Share Purchase and Sale Agreements

Business Purchase and Sale Agreements

Buying or selling a business involves making significant commercial decisions, with complexity around business structure, risk and timing that can affect value and outcomes throughout the transaction lifecycle.

Learn about Business Purchase and Sale Agreements

Unfair Dismissal

Unfair dismissal issues arise where an employee challenges the fairness of a termination, placing scrutiny on both the decision and the process followed. Clear legal advice helps employers assess risk early and respond in a strategic and proportionate way.

Learn about Unfair Dismissal

Jess Hill promoted to Director

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