Who Forbes Kirby work with

More than a one-off fix

Plenty of people only ever see a lawyer when something goes wrong. A dispute lands on the desk, a deal needs signing, or a deadline is coming up. You find someone, get the immediate problem sorted, and move on.

We work a little bit differently and prefer to be here for the long-haul. Long-term partnerships are valued here, and lots of our clients have been with us for five years or more, some almost since we opened nearly ten years ago. They stay because we take the time to understand their business and remain a steady point of contact whenever something new comes up, whether it's a deal, a dispute, or planning for the future.

That's the real difference between a transactional lawyer and a trusted adviser. We want you to call us when something changes, not just as a last resort when something breaks. If you're always building, growing, and taking on the next thing, having a legal partner who already knows your business is worth a great deal.

Lawyers for entrepreneurs in Perth

The clients we connect with the most share a certain mindset. You're driven, have built something yourself (often from the ground up), and you care about protecting what you've created. You want clear, practical advice you can actually use to make decisions.

Our practice areas are built around these needs. Commercial and litigation are two sides of the same coin: one focuses on preventing disputes, the other on resolving them. Our estates team helps you protect your personal and family interests alongside your business ones. Whatever stage you're at, and whatever comes up, our team is here with you through all of it.

Litigation

When a dispute happens, you need advice you can trust and a team prepared to act. Our litigation team handles a broad range of disputes, including complex matters in all superior courts nationally, combining experienced advocacy with a focus on practical solutions.

The best outcome is often one that never reaches a courtroom, and we'll always look for the most efficient path towards a great result for you. The majority of commercial disputes are resolved through negotiation, mediation, or arbitration, without the need for a final court hearing. But where someone refuses to engage, we're ready to move decisively and see the matter through.

Our advice is almost always the same: seek advice early. The sooner you get the right advice, the more options you have to protect your position before things escalate. Most of our litigation clients naturally move across to commercial afterwards, because once a dispute is behind you, we start working to make sure it never happens again.

Commercial

Most business owners need commercial advice long before they ever need a courtroom. Our commercial team works with business owners, entrepreneurs, directors, and investors at every stage—from start-ups and growing enterprises through to established organisations and complex corporate groups.

Corporate advisory, mergers, acquisitions and business sales, commercial contracts, shareholder and partnership agreements, corporate governance, and property and leasing are what our team can help you with. You get clear, commercially focused advice that helps you make confident decisions and move your business forward.

Before you sign or commit to anything significant, it pays to get advice from a team that understands both the legal and the commercial side of your decision. If you're wondering whether you even need a lawyer, our FAQs page covers a lot of the common questions business owners ask before working with us.

Estates

Protecting what you've built isn't just about your business. Our estates team helps individuals, families, and business owners navigate succession with confidence.

Thoughtful estate planning is about more than just preparing a Will. It's about protecting your family, preserving your wealth, safeguarding your business interests, and ensuring your legacy is passed on the way you intend. We help with Wills and estate planning, estate administration and probate, business succession planning, estate disputes, and trusts and asset protection.

For the entrepreneurs we work with, business succession is often where commercial and estates meet. Your business is frequently your most significant asset, and planning for a smooth transition of ownership, whether to family, management, or a third party, is one of the most important things you can do to protect the value you've built.

Relationships that last

What ties all of this together is the way we work. Whether you come to us for litigation, commercial, or estates, we extend the relationship across everything else. One team who gets to know your business and your goals over time. We're here to advise you throughout your business and your life, and that's what our clients value the most.

Whether you have a specific matter in mind or you're simply after a trusted adviser in your corner for the long haul, get in touch. You'll get practical advice from a close-knit team who'll take the time to understand your business and point you in the right direction.