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From startup to succession
Legal strength for Hawke's Bay businesses. 150+ years of commercial judgement, benefiting your business.
How We Help Your Business
Starting & Structuring
Business Structuring
Choosing and establishing the right legal structure for your business. Getting it right from day one prevents headaches later.
"Competent, to the point, and clear."
— Business client
Shareholder Agreements
Like a "business pre-nup" for multi-owner companies. Clear rules for decision making, profit sharing, and exit scenarios.
"Everything explained fully."
— Business client
Not-for-Profit
Establishing and advising charitable trusts, incorporated societies, and community organisations.
"Professional timely service, no complaints."
— Not-for-profit client
Operations & Growth
Commercial Contracts
Drafting and reviewing contracts that protect your interests while enabling your business relationships.
"Courteous service and thorough advice."
— Commercial contracts client
Governance
Board structures, director duties, company constitution reviews, and regulatory compliance.
"Competent, to the point, and clear."
— Governance client
Intellectual Property
Trademarks, copyright, trade secrets, and protecting the innovations that differentiate your business.
"Helpful, knowledgeable, easy to deal with."
— Business client
Licensing
Licensing agreements for intellectual property, software, and navigating regulatory requirements.
"Excellent communication, smooth process, no snags."
— Licensing client
Confidentiality
NDAs, confidentiality clauses, and protecting sensitive business information in transactions and relationships.
"Good communication on the phone and appointments and we understood what was being told to us."
— Confidentiality client
Transactions & Challenges
Mergers & Acquisitions
Due diligence, sale agreements, and settlement processes for buying, selling, amalgamating, or restructuring businesses.
"Extremely professional service. A pleasure to do business with."
— Mergers and acquisitions client
Insolvency
Voluntary administration, receivership, liquidation, and restructuring options when facing financial difficulty.
"Great and prompt advice through a difficult period with Covid 19."
— Insolvency client
Dispute Resolution
Business disputes distract from your work. We provide practical advice to resolve conflicts quickly, through negotiation or mediation where possible.
"Throughout, I was consistently kept informed and felt supported."
— Dispute resolution client
Franchising
Franchise agreements, disclosure requirements, and ongoing franchise relationships for both franchisors and franchisees.
"Courteous service and thorough advice."
— Franchising client
Finance & Banking
Loan documentation, security arrangements, and financing structures for business operations and acquisitions.
"Service was excellent, fast, and efficient."
— Finance and banking client
Supporting Hawke's Bay Businesses
How we help local businesses with their legal needs.
Sound advice supports sound decisions
At every stage of your business—startup, growth, or succession—you need practical legal advice grounded in commercial reality; not just what's legally correct, but what makes business sense.
"Good legal advice must make commercial sense. We understand your goals, your industry, and your constraints."
Deep Commercial Experience
For over 150 years, we've helped some of Hawke's Bay's most successful businesses navigate complex commercial issues. We've seen what works—and what doesn't.
Term
Relationships, Not Transactions
We build relationships with our business clients over years, understanding how their business evolves. This means faster, more relevant advice when they need it.
- Multi-generational client relationships
- Deep understanding of your business
- Sounding board for key decisions
Understanding Hawke's Bay Industries
Primary production, manufacturing, processing, hospitality and tourism, trades, and the suppliers and professional services that support them: We understand the regional economy and the context in which your business operates.
What stage is your business at?
Different stages need different legal support. Select your situation to see how we help.
Starting Up
Getting the structure right from day one. Company formation, partnership and shareholder agreements, initial key contracts.
Foundation PhaseGrowing
Scaling operations. Contracts, IP protection, licensing, governance as complexity increases.
Growth PhaseTransacting
Buying, selling, or restructuring. Due diligence, M&A, financing, and major commercial deals.
Transaction PhaseChallenges
When things get difficult. Disputes, insolvency options, restructuring, and recovery.
Resolution PhaseBusiness advisors who happen to be lawyers.
Commercial Judgment
Not just legal
Good legal advice must make business sense. We understand your goals and constraints.
Industry Knowledge
Context matters
We take time to understand your industry, your market, and your position.
Sounding Boards
Beyond contracts
Sometimes you need a lawyer. Other times, you need someone to talk through a decision.
Long-Term View
Relationships first
We build relationships over years, understanding how your business evolves.
Part of the Hawke's Bay Business Community
For over 150 years, Carlile Dowling has been part of the Hawke's Bay business community. We've watched industries evolve, helped businesses through challenges, and celebrated successes alongside our clients.
We understand the regional economy: primary production, manufacturing, processing, hospitality and tourism, trades, and the suppliers and professional services that support them. This local knowledge means we understand the context in which your business operates.
We've been here through thick and thin - the booms and busts, earthquakes, cyclones and wars. We help businesses make the most of the good times and get through the bad.
What Our Clients Say
"I am privileged to be a client of Carlile Dowling — and especially privileged to have a relationship with Paul Morgan."
"Prompt, friendly & efficient service"
"I have always received excellent service from Carlile Dowling."
To ensure candour, all feedback was collected anonymously.
Related Reading
Limitation Periods in New Zealand: Time Limits for Legal Claims
Understanding time limits for legal claims. Covers contract (6 years), tort (6 years), employment (90 days), and when time starts running.
New Zealand Disputes Tribunal: A Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about the Disputes Tribunal. Covers jurisdiction limits, types of disputes, process, costs, and when to use it.
Company vs Trust: Which Structure for Your Business?
Companies and trusts serve different purposes. Understanding when each is appropriate helps you choose the right structure for your situation.
Related Case Studies
View all case studiesResolving a Software Licensing Dispute
Negotiating a settlement after a licensing dispute, reducing exposure and reaching a workable commercial outcome when a vendor made a substantial claim.
Read case studyBuilding a Brand Through Franchising
How we helped a retailer expand nationally with a franchise agreement that balanced brand protection, support obligations, and franchisee expectations.
Read case study
Your Business Law
Team
Commercial judgment and legal expertise, helping Hawke's Bay businesses navigate complexity with confidence.
Swipe to see more team members
Common Questions
We work with businesses of all sizes across Hawke's Bay, from startups and family businesses to established enterprises. Our clients include vineyards, orchards, professional services, hospitality, retail, trades, and many others.
Many business issues require legal advice, even for small businesses. Getting structures and agreements right from the start often prevents costly problems later. We are happy to discuss whether legal help would benefit your situation.
Accountants and lawyers complement each other. Your accountant advises on financial and tax issues. Working alongside your accountant, we handle legal structures, contracts, financing, securities, employment and more.
Any existing documents relevant to your situation: company records, contracts, agreements you are considering, or details of issues you are facing. But if you are just at the thinking stage, that is fine too.
Business Guides
Phase-by-phase guidance for business owners and directors. Work through at your own pace.
View All GuidesStructuring Your Business
Choose the right structure for your business from the start.
Dispute Resolution Guide
Expert guidance for your business.
Your Responsibilities as a Director
Understand your duties and responsibilities as a director.
Insolvency Guide
Navigate financial difficulty and understand your options.
IP Protection Guide
Protect your business's valuable intellectual property.
Business Sale Guide
Phase-by-phase guidance for buying or selling a business.
Ready to discuss your needs? We're here to help.
