Your trusted team of business and property lawyers in Melbourne
At P&B Law, we have a long history of providing high-quality, professional service, specialising in all facets of property law, conveyancing, commercial business law, and litigation. We're your dedicated team of business and property lawyers in Melbourne, delivering strategic legal advice that ensures the best possible outcomes.
Why P&B
- We take a practical and common-sense approach to all matters
- Our culture is based on collaboration and building client relationships
- We’re prompt, attentive and approachable
- We understand the importance of clear and transparent communication
- Our legal advice is based on broad business acumen, that considers the big picture
Our Legal Services
Property Law
At P&B Law, we have specialised property law expertise in purchases, sales, property development, contracts, and financial structuring. We can also support both landlords and tenants by preparing, negotiating, reviewing, and executing commercial leases to ensure everyone involved is aware of their legal rights and obligations.
Business Law
As your trusted business law experts, we can assist in all legal matters regarding how businesses are formed and run. If you're starting a new business venture, buying, selling or investing, we can assist with all of your business law needs. We can also handle any commercial documentation or franchising and licensing agreements.
Public Notary
Need verification or authentication of your essential documents? A Public Notary is an internationally recognised qualification for the formal appointment of a person of good standing. Our founder and partner at P&B Law, Lindsay Kotzman, was admitted and signed the Role of Public Notaries in the Supreme Court of Victoria in 2016.
Litigation
When you're facing property, business, or personal disputes, you need a team you can trust. Our experienced dispute resolution lawyers will represent your best interests in negotiations, alternative dispute resolutions, or litigation. We’ll work with you to identify your desired outcome and guide you through the entire process.
Wills and Estates
If you’re working on estate planning or preparing your will, we can help safeguard your legacy. You can depend on our expert lawyers to prepare wills and estate plans that will uphold your wishes concerning assets and the care of loved ones. We can also prepare a power of attorney, naming who will make decisions for you if you can no longer make them yourself.
Conveyancing
Whether you’re buying or selling commercial or residential property, our team of professional conveyancers and solicitors are here to ensure it’s a smooth transaction. We provide expert advice and legal assistance in buying, selling, transferring, planning, building, surveying, subdividing, and managing owners corporations.

Our Team
The team at P&B Law are experts in their specialist areas, working closely with clients to understand their legal needs and provide personalised support and tailored advice. We value building trusted and lasting relationships with our clients and understand the importance of open communication and collaboration.
Our Practice
P&B Law was founded in 1994 with a mission to offer outstanding legal services and advice underpinned by expertise, experience, and professionalism. Over the past 29 years, we have become the leading business and property lawyers in Melbourne, delivering strategic and commercially savvy solutions for our clients.

Meet our expert business and property lawyers
Our team consists of highly experienced and dedicated business and property lawyers, conveyancers, solicitors, and clerks.

Lindsay Kotzman
Partner
Lindsay Kotzman
Partner

Education
- Bachelor of Law – Monash University
- Bachelor of Science – Monash University
Admission
- Admitted to the Supreme Court of Victoria and the High Court of Australia in 1986.
- Admitted as a Notary Public in 2016.
Lindsay Kotzman
Partner
Lindsay has extensive experience in many disciplines within the areas of property law, commercial law and litigation and specialises in helping clients with complex legal matters.
P&B Law was founded by Lindsay in August of 1994 with an aim of creating a Melbourne law firm which could provide quality legal services in the areas of property and business law for all clients in both large and small matters.
Lindsay has hands on experience in the management and control of small to medium sized businesses and has a sound appreciation of the day-to-day issues as faced by the owners and managers of enterprises.
Off the plan property developments is one of Lindsay’s passions and he has been involved in assisting clients with developments all over Melbourne. He works hand in hand with property developers to ensure that all stages are handled quickly, professionally and to the highest standard.
Additionally, Lindsay has significant litigation experience in both the Victorian and federal jurisdiction and works to ensure that he is there to guide clients through what can be a complex environment at often a very stressful time.
Lindsay has worked not only in Australia but has considerable international experience with extensive contacts in South East Asia and works with clients in Europe, United States and the Middle East.
Lindsay was a member of a team that won a National Award under the Government sponsored Ausindustry National Enterprise Workshop scheme for business planning.
Lindsay is a keen skier and cyclist.

Jesse Sharp
Partner
Jesse Sharp
Partner

Areas of Expertise
- Commercial leasing
- Intellectual property
- Commercial advice
Education
- Bachelor of Law – Deakin University
- Bachelor of Commerce – Deakin University
Admission
- Admitted to the Supreme Court of Victoria and the High Court of Australia in 2011.
Jesse Sharp
Partner
Jesse started his career as a paralegal at Michael Sharp Legal in 2009 working alongside the principal Michael Sharp at the newly established firm in Prahran, whilst completing his university studies. He then went on to complete his legal traineeship with Michael Sharp Legal in conjunction with Trumble Szanto Lawyers and then commenced full time employment with Michael Sharp Legal as a solicitor.
While working at Michael Sharp Legal, Jesse continued to gain experience predominately focusing his practice on assisting clients with commercial transactions including sale and purchase of businesses from preparation through to settlement as well as negotiation and preparation of partnership/shareholder/unitholder agreements.
Additionally, Jesse has gained considerable experience in commercial leasing, corporate structures, employment law, intellectual property, property law and general commercial advice.
In 2018, Michael Sharp Legal merged with P&B Law and Jesse joined P&B Law as a Senior Associate where he continues to grow his practice and his areas of experience whilst working in a team environment.
Jesse aims and works hard to provide to his clients a balance between quality legal advice and understanding of the commercial realities of a situation. He takes great pride in building relationships with all of his clients, to get a better understanding as to how he can best provide to them the practical service that they need to assist them to grow and succeed.
Outside of work Jesse is a keen Collingwood supporter and also enjoys international travel.

Nicholas Witherow
Senior Associate
- Head of Litigation
Nicholas Witherow
Senior Associate
Head of Litigation

Education
- Bachelor of Laws (Honours) – Monash University
- Bachelor of Applied Science – Melbourne University
Admission
- Admitted to the Supreme Court of Victoria and the High Court of Australia in 2012.
Nicholas Witherow
Senior Associate
Head of Litigation
Nick undertook a traineeship at Williams Winter in 2011.
Between 2011 and 2018 Nick worked as a litigator, gaining experience in business disputes, wills and estates, insurance, leases, sale of businesses, planning and environment and personal injury (Workcover, TAC, public liability and sexual assaults).
Nick has worked in all courts and tribunals and frequently appears as a solicitor advocate.
In 2018 Nick joined Environmental Justice Australia a leading community funded public interest environmental law firm as their Principal Lawyer. While in this role I successfully led the litigation to oppose the AGL Floating Gas Terminal in Westernport Bay and the Glenaladale Mineral Sands Mine in East Gippsland.
Nick’s practice focuses on delivering effective outcomes to disputes while keeping his clients informed and up to date with progress.
Prior to becoming as lawyer, Nick worked as botanist at Australian Ecosystems. His speciality was restoration of South Eastern Australian wetlands and riparian ecosystems.
Nick continues this work as a committee member of the Wetland Revival Trust.
When not working, Nick enjoys walking his whippet, Paco through Yarra Bend, cycling, cooking and Melbourne’s restaurants.

Chris Mackie
Senior Solicitor
- Head of Property
Chris Mackie
Senior Solicitor
Head of Property
Chris Mackie
Senior Solicitor
Head of Property
Chris completed his Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice and was admitted to practice in 2014. Prior to joining P & B Law, he was an Associate Solicitor at a well-respected, full-service law firm that has been providing professional legal services to the Bayside area for almost 50 years. Chris is admitted to practice in both Victoria and the High Court. Whilst predominantly practicing in Property Law, Chris has maintained a broad practice area, encompassing Litigation, Criminal Law and Intervention Order matters. Chris has also appeared as Solicitor Advocate in a range of Courts, Jurisdictions and Tribunals including the Magistrates Court, VCAT and the Supreme Court of Victoria.
Chris was delighted to join P & B Law in 2020 as a Senior Lawyer and Head of the Property Law Team. His varied experience in Property Law and exposure in other practice areas has meant that he is strongly placed to consider his client’s needs and aims to provide a flexible yet common-sense approach that is tailored to his client’s circumstances in a friendly and highly approachable way.
Chris has substantial experience in Victorian property transactions and enjoys assisting his clients in all aspects of their Property matters and is happy to deal with simple residential property conveyancing to large scale complex commercial subdivision and everything in between – from conception to conclusion. Chris is also a tragic Essendon supporter for as long as he can remember, enjoys good food and wine and a casual game of basketball.
Need strategic legal advice or support? Get in touch with our expert team today
Contact usFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Our expert lawyers are here to answer all your legal questions about business and property law. If you can’t find the answers you’re looking for below, contact the team today.
How do I find the best lawyer for my case?
Start by identifying your specific legal needs. Then, seek a lawyer who is local and has expertise and experience in that area, whether it’s property law, conveyancing, business law, or litigation.
Do I need a property lawyer?
Property lawyers have specialised expertise in all areas of property law and can oversee transactions involving the buying or selling of property, preparing lease agreements, and resolving property disputes or rights issues. They ensure all transactions are straightforward and fulfil your legal obligations. Click to find out more.
When should a business lawyer be consulted?
You should always consult a business lawyer when starting, buying, or selling a business. You'll also want to talk to a business lawyer when you’re trying to navigate Victorian employment or labour laws, drafting or renewing contracts, protecting intellectual properties, or resolving business disputes. Our business lawyers can offer valuable legal advice that mitigates risks and adheres to business best practices.
What do dispute resolution lawyers do?
Dispute resolution lawyers specialise in resolving conflicts between parties through early mediation or litigation. We support our clients facing legal disputes, assisting in negotiations, facilitating settlements, and representing them in court when necessary. Our services prioritise prompt responses, clear communication, and transparency.