Corporate and Commercial Lawyers

Nick Hitchens is the Founder and Managing Principal of Hitch Advisory.

He is an expert in business structuring, mergers and acquisitions and employee equity solutions.

Nick founded Hitch Advisory to ensure legal advice is proactive, practical and precise. He believes that lawyers should facilitate and add value to personal and business relationships.

Nick is now responsible for growing and managing the Hitch Advisory team.

He makes time to ensure that client relationships are maintained and clients are achieving their goals with the assistance of the Hitch team.

In his spare time, Nick enjoys spending time with his two daughters, travelling, running, Muay Thai and anything ocean related.

Joel Marshall leads the Hitch Advisory Franchising team at Hitch Advisory.

Having commenced his practice in New Zealand, Joel is well versed in assisting businesses with international expansion, structuring and strategic business advice.

In his down time Joel likes surfing, fishing and exploring the great outdoors.

Lazar Krstic is a Principal and leads our Commercial and Employment Law teams.

Lazar advises and acts on a range of transactional, contentious and non-contentious matters, with a keen focus on structuring, implementing incentive schemes and supporting our technology-based clients.

You will otherwise find Lazar in the gym, waking up in the wee hours to watch Chelsea FC or travelling the world.

Hayley Hewitt leads the Hitch Advisory Property team. She acts for a diverse client base in a range of industries, including advising Australia’s largest travel retailers, childcare operators, and property developers.

Hayley has extensive experience advising clients in a range of commercial transactions and is an expert in property related transactions including the sale and purchase of both residential and commercial properties, development projects, and commercial and retail leasing.

Hayley prides herself on being practical, down-to-earth, and detail-oriented. She is committed to developing and maintaining strong relationships with her clients to understand and achieve their legal needs.

Outside of work, Hayley enjoys relaxing at the beach, socialising, and spending time with her young family.

Benjamin Tran acts for an extensive range of individuals and corporations across different industries, with a particular focus on childcare.

In addition to general commercial law, Benjamin is particularly skilled in facilitating complex commercial and property transactions and takes a pragmatic approach when managing client needs.

In his spare time, Benjamin enjoys traversing around Australia and the rest of the world in search of excellent restaurants and bars and is particularly fond of Japan.

Jack leads the Mergers & Acquisitions team at Hitch.

Acting for a diverse range of corporate clients, Jack has particular expertise dealing in the healthcare and pharmacy space.

With extensive experience advising on transactions and general commercial law, Jack’s advice reflects a strong understanding of the commercial needs and realities of his clients.

Out of the office you will often find Jack scuba diving, camping, and spending time with his family.

Joss is an Associate on the Hitch Advisory Property team who specialises in acquisitions and disposals, retail leasing, property development and property-related disputes. With a keen understanding of the diverse needs of his clientele, ranging from property trusts to some of Australia’s largest retailers, Joss is dedicated to providing clear, concise and timely legal advice.

Joss is particularly adept at advising clients with real estate portfolios across multiple states and territories. His in-depth knowledge of the legal landscape in various states and territories allows him to provide comprehensive guidance that aligns with the nuanced requirements of his client’s diverse portfolios.

Outside of work, you’ll find Joss freediving, ocean swimming, and generally taking advantage of all the incredible beaches that Sydney has to offer.

Ruby is a highly motivated, junior lawyer who works across both our litigation and general commercial team. Ruby’s main areas of practice encompass litigation, Wills and Estates and employment law.

Ruby is delivery-focused and detail oriented, providing a broad variety of clients with clear and effective advice.

Outside of the office, Ruby is a keen football player and enjoys skiing with her family.

Caitlin is an Associate in the Hitch Advisory Property team. Caitlin brings a wealth of experience in various property-related transactions with a keen focus on commercial and retail leasing, the sale and purchase of residential and commercial properties, off-the-plan development projects and other general property related matters.

In particular, Caitlin has assisted some of Australia’s leading retailers such as Muffin Break, Jamaica Blue, Zeus Street Greek, Anytime Fitness and CUE with a range of leasing matters. From navigating complex deals involving major retailers to facilitating seamless residential transactions, Caitlin consistently delivers excellence that speaks for itself. Her collaborative and practical approach ensures that clients receive comprehensive and timely legal support tailored to their needs.

Outside the office, Caitlin indulges in her passion for discovering Sydney’s hidden coffee gems, enjoying quality time with loved ones, and staying active with coastal walks (typically with an iced latte in hand) and Pilates.

Nikola is an Associate in the Corporate and Commercial team, offering a general and comprehensive skill set spanning across mergers & acquisitions, commercial disputes, intellectual property, employment law, and general contractual matters.

Nikola boasts a versatile and comprehensive skill set that encompasses various facets of legal practice. His expertise extends across mergers and acquisitions, where he navigates the complexities of corporate transactions with precision and acumen.

Nikola brings together a range of skills to navigate various legal challenges. Whether it’s working on mergers and acquisitions, resolving commercial disputes, protecting intellectual property, managing employment disputes and issues, or handling general contracts, Nikola strives to provide comprehensive solutions. Nikola aims to provide clients with practical and well-rounded legal support in the diverse aspects of their business dealings.

Beyond the confines of the office, Nikola finds solace in activities such as weightlifting, boxing, and strumming a few tunes on the guitar.

Abbie is a dedicated professional in the Franchising & Retail sector with nearly a decade of experience working within some of Australia’s largest franchise systems. While undertaking her studies, she developed a strong interest in the operational and regulatory complexities of franchising.

Abbie assists clients with a general range of commercial law matters, with insight and experience in the preparation and negotiation of franchise agreements and is committed to providing strategic guidance to franchisors and franchisees.

Outside of work, Abbie is a mother of three boys and enjoys quality time with family and friends, as well as exploring the latest dining experiences.