Business lawyer, Brisbane
Business Lawyer in Brisbane
Joe Kafrouni, Accredited Specialist in Business Law, with more than 30 years’ experience acting for Queensland business owners.
Who I work with
I work with owners of established, owner-managed Queensland businesses, many of them family businesses. I have experience with manufacturing and marine businesses, engineering, technical and IT firms, professional practices, health practices, business services, hospitality and retail.
My office is at Level 34, 1 Eagle Street, Brisbane, and I act for owners across Queensland. The initial consultation is by phone.
What I do
- Selling a business. Getting the business ready before buyers look, then protecting the price and terms through to completion.
- Buying a business. Testing what you’re buying before you’re committed, with a contract that puts the risk where it belongs.
- Co-owners and succession. Bringing in a co-owner, buying one out, or handing the business on to family or staff.
- When owners fall out. Working out where you stand and the most sensible way to resolve it, by negotiation wherever possible.
- Contracts and structures. Terms of trade, commercial contracts, shareholders agreements, and company and trust structures.
How I work
Before I start, I give you a written estimate: a fixed fee where the work can be clearly defined, or a fee for each stage where it can’t. I work alongside your accountant and your other advisers, not instead of them, and I act only for you. I’ll tell you what I’d do in your position, and if I can’t help, I’ll say so and point you to someone who can.
Where the work can be clearly defined, I charge a fixed fee, or a fixed fee for each stage of the matter or transaction. Otherwise, my hourly rate is $825 including GST ($750 plus GST).
Why work with me
- I’m a Queensland Law Society Accredited Specialist in Business Law, with more than 30 years’ experience acting for Queensland business owners. What accreditation means
- Over my career, I’ve acted on hundreds of business sales, purchases, owner exits and disputes.
- As a sole practitioner, I work directly with my clients. When you engage me, you deal with me, from the first call to completion.
The biggest lesson I have learnt from you recently, Joe, is that it pays to have a professional such as yourself on my side to deal with matters that I am unequipped to handle … so I can carry on with the task at hand of building my business! Thanks again, I’ll take pleasure in recommending your services to anyone in need.
Questions owners ask
Do you only act on sales and purchases?
No. Most of my work is with owners when ownership changes, but I also look after the contracts, terms of trade and structures their businesses run on, from one-off reviews to ongoing advice.
What work don’t you do?
Family law, building and construction disputes, residential conveyancing, and tax or financial advice. If that’s what you need, I’ll point you to someone who does it well.
What’s your style: commercial or conservative?
Commercial, with guardrails. I’ll tell you what’s possible, what’s risky, and what I’d do in your shoes (based on what you’ve told me). If the risk is acceptable for the upside, good; if it’s not, I’ll help you redesign the deal.
Can I engage you for ad hoc advice?
Yes. Some clients use me regularly and some don’t. I’m comfortable with both, provided I have capacity.
Do you act for businesses outside Brisbane?
Yes. I act for owners across Queensland, and the initial consultation is by phone.
Are you still Kafrouni Lawyers?
Yes, it’s the same practice. Kafrouni Lawyers Pty Ltd changed its name to Kafrouni Law Pty Ltd, and I now practise on my own, so you deal with me directly.
Further reading
Before we speak: what to send me
When you book, tell me briefly what the matter is about and who else is involved, so I can check I’m free to act. These help me most; send what you have.
- The agreement or contract the matter is about, and any drafts.
- The company’s constitution and any shareholders agreement, if the matter is about ownership.
- The key emails or letters.
- The names of the other people or businesses involved.
This page is general information, current at 26 October 2026. It isn’t advice about your situation.
Book an initial consultation
An initial consultation is the best way for us to find out whether, and how, I can help. It suits business owners and directors facing a decision that matters. You get my considered view of your situation, not just a first impression.
The fee is a fixed $1,650 (including GST). It covers a phone consultation of up to two hours, plus up to one hour of my time to consider the material you send me beforehand and to prepare my written note afterwards. Here is how it works:
1. When you book, you tell me briefly what the matter is about and who else is involved, so I can carry out a conflict check and confirm I’m free to act. If I can’t act for you, I’ll refund your fee in full.
2. I tell you what information and documents I’d like to see, and I consider them before we speak.
3. We talk it through by phone. I give you my initial advice, the options I see and what I’d do in your shoes.
4. Afterwards, I send you a short written note of my advice and the next steps I recommend.
If I can help further, I’ll explain how. If I can’t, I’ll say so. You are under no obligation to engage me further. If your matter needs more than this, I’ll send you a proposal setting out how I can help and an estimate of my fees. No further work starts until you accept it.
I keep only a limited number of consultation times. If none suits you, or you’d like to check anything before booking, email info@klaw.com.au and I’ll do my best to accommodate you.