Smith and Partners Lawyers

16/06/2026

Your business has grown. Have your legal foundations kept up?

Our Business Warrant of Fitness is a practical review that helps you find out, before something else does.

Get in touch to find out more:
https://www.smithpartners.co.nz/specialist-legal-advice/commercial-business-lawyers/small-business-law-firm/wof

14/06/2026

Registering a company name and owning a brand name are two very different things.

In this article, Bret Gower explains what a proper brand name check looks like and what to do if the name you want is already taken.

Read the full article here:

If you are starting a new business, launching a product or rebranding an existing venture, one of the first questions to ask is: is this brand name safe to use?

09/06/2026

Smith and Partners works because our people do. Same faces, same team, every time you call.

Swipe through to meet the commercial team. Between them they've advised on everything from first-time business purchases to complex governance matters, contracts, leasing, and succession planning.

Learn more:
https://www.smithpartners.co.nz/specialist-legal-advice/commercial-business-lawyers

03/06/2026

Smith and Partners works because our people do.

Different areas of expertise, one shared approach: listen carefully, think it through, give advice that's clear and actually useful. When your matter sits across more than one area of law, our team connects the dots so you don't have to.

That's what good legal support looks like.

Find out more here:
https://www.smithpartners.co.nz/specialist-legal-advice/commercial-business-lawyers

31/05/2026

Something we hear often from clients is that they were referred to us by someone they trust.

A friend, a colleague, another professional. That kind of introduction means a lot, and it says something about the way we try to work.

Many of the people we work with have been with us for years, some for decades. Their businesses have grown, their families have changed, and we've been alongside them through a lot of it.

That continuity matters to us, and we think it makes us better at what we do.

26/05/2026

Most directors understand their responsibilities when a company is trading well. It's when financial pressure starts to build that things get more complicated, and the decisions made in that window are the ones that tend to attract the most scrutiny later.

In this article, Tam explains what directors need to know as financial pressure mounts, and the practical steps that can make a real difference.

Read the full article here:

Under the Companies Act 1993, company directors must balance the interests of shareholders and creditors which can be challenging when financial pressure increases.

19/05/2026

For business owners and employers, the legal foundations of how you manage your team matter more than most people realise.

A well-written employment agreement.
A clear set of policies.
An understanding of what good faith actually requires in practice.

These aren't just boxes to tick. They're what you rely on when a difficult situation arises, and they make a real difference to how it plays out.

Learn more here:
https://www.smithpartners.co.nz/specialist-legal-advice/employment-lawyers

17/05/2026

Our commercial team has spent years working alongside business owners through some of the most important moments in their business lives. Buying, selling, planning, protecting. The legal side of running a business covers a lot of ground, and so do they.

What stands out about this group isn't just the breadth of what they know. It's how they show up for the people they work with. Calm when things get complicated. Clear when the stakes are high. Genuinely invested in getting the right outcome.

We're proud of the team we've built. Learn more here:
https://www.smithpartners.co.nz/specialist-legal-advice/commercial-business-lawyers

11/05/2026

If you've ever signed a loan, lease or commercial contract with someone else, there's a good chance you agreed to be jointly and severally liable. Most people don't realise what that means until something goes wrong.

In short: if the other person can't pay their share, you could be responsible for all of it.

In this article, Bethany, explains how joint and several liability works, where it commonly arises, and what to think about before you sign.

Read the full article here:

If you have ever signed a commercial contract , loan or lease with someone else, there is a good chance you have agreed to be jointly and severally liable.

05/05/2026

Good legal advice doesn't have to feel like a big deal. At its best, it's a conversation with someone who knows what they're talking about and helps you make a clear decision.

For business owners and operators, that kind of support makes a real difference. Not just when something goes wrong, but when you're planning ahead, reviewing an agreement, or weighing up your options.

If there's something you've been meaning to sort, we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch:
https://www.smithpartners.co.nz/contact-us