Business Details
Your Trusted Regional Legal Partner Since 1882
Robertson Hyetts has been delivering trusted legal guidance to regional Victoria since 1882. Our firm combines insightful counsel with personalized attention to address complex legal challenges for businesses, families, and individuals. With over 140 years of experience, we specialize in business and commercial law, dispute resolution, property development, succession planning, and self-managed super funds.Our adaptive approach ensures tailored solutions that align with clients' unique needs while maintaining a deep understanding of rural life and local market dynamics. We pride ourselves on building enduring partnerships through exceptional client relationships and active community engagement, supporting initiatives that enhance health, education, and social outcomes in our region.
Services
Business Law
Dispute Resolution
Property Development
Farm Succession Planning
Self-Managed Super Funds
Highlights and features
- We offer over 140 years of regional legal expertise
- Our team provides personalized attention to every case
- We maintain deep community connections in regional Victoria
- We deliver tailored solutions for complex legal challenges
- Our lawyers hold specialist expertise in property development law
What people say
Trusted legal guidance
Deep regional expertise
Effective dispute resolution
Responsive service
Practical solutions
Services
Business Law
Our business law services provide comprehensive legal support for companies across regional Victoria. We specialise in commercial agreements, business structures, franchising, intellectual property protection, and trade practices compliance. With decades of experience advising small to medium enterprises, our lawyers help clients navigate complex regulatory environments while minimising risk exposure. We offer strategic guidance on contract negotiations, corporate governance, and dispute resolution to ensure long-term business success.
Dispute Resolution
Our dispute resolution practice handles commercial and property-related conflicts through negotiation, mediation, and litigation. We represent clients in court proceedings, VCAT matters, and alternative dispute resolution processes across Victoria. Our team focuses on achieving practical solutions that protect clients' interests while maintaining business relationships where possible. We specialise in construction disputes, commercial contract enforcement, and estate administration conflicts with a proven track record of successful outcomes.
Property Development
We provide end-to-end legal support for property development projects including land acquisitions, subdivision approvals, and construction contracts. Our expertise covers planning permits, section 173 agreements, and compliance with Victorian planning schemes. We assist developers with joint venture agreements, project finance documentation, and marketing strategies while ensuring adherence to all regulatory requirements throughout the development lifecycle.
Farm Succession Planning
Our farm succession planning services help agricultural businesses transition ownership between generations smoothly. We create tailored strategies that address asset protection, tax implications, and family dynamics while maintaining operational continuity. Our lawyers specialise in structuring ownership transfers that avoid stamp duty liabilities and implement comprehensive estate plans that safeguard rural enterprises for future generations.
Self-Managed Super Funds
We offer complete SMSF legal services including fund establishment, trust deed preparation, and compliance documentation. Our specialists advise on limited recourse borrowing arrangements, property investments within superannuation, and estate planning integration. We work closely with financial advisors to ensure SMSF structures meet regulatory requirements while optimising retirement outcomes for clients across regional Victoria.
People
Janelle Brown
Lawyer & Director
With 28 years' legal experience, Janelle specialises in property development law. She assists clients with land acquisitions, subdivisions, and construction contracts while leading complex development projects across regional Victoria.
Tim Robertson
Lawyer
Practicing law for 43 years, Tim brings extensive experience in commercial law and property transactions. His career spans multiple jurisdictions and includes significant contributions to Victoria's legal landscape through political service.
John Wellington
Special Counsel & Castlemaine Office Leader
With over 40 years' practice, John specialises in commercial law and property development. Based in Castlemaine, he provides strategic legal guidance to businesses across regional Victoria and internationally.
Jessica Hall
Lawyer & Property Team Leader
As property team leader, Jessica manages complex development transactions across Bendigo and Castlemaine. Her expertise includes negotiating challenging property deals and minimising client risk exposure.
Trent McGregor
Lawyer & Associate
With 16 years' experience, Trent specialises in farm succession planning and rural law. He provides practical legal solutions for agricultural businesses transitioning between generations in regional Victoria.
Questions
What areas of law does Robertson Hyetts specialise in?
We specialise in business and commercial law, property development, farm succession planning, self-managed super funds, and dispute resolution services across regional Victoria.
How long has Robertson Hyetts been operating?
Robertson Hyetts has provided legal services in regional Victoria since 1882, making us one of Australia's oldest continuing law firms.
Do you offer online consultations?
Yes, we offer online meetings for clients who cannot visit our Bendigo or Castlemaine offices, ensuring accessible legal support across regional Victoria.
What makes your firm different from other regional law practices?
Our combination of 140+ years' experience, deep community connections, and specialist expertise in regional business needs sets us apart from other law practices.
How do you handle complex property development cases?
We provide comprehensive support for property developments including contract negotiations, planning permits, subdivision approvals, and compliance documentation throughout the project lifecycle.
Can you assist with farm succession planning?
Yes, our farm succession planning services help agricultural businesses transition ownership between generations while addressing tax implications and operational continuity.
