Coghlan Duffy

Coghlan Duffy Lawyers is a distinguished boutique corporate and commercial law firm based in Melbourne, Australia, renowned for its commercially focused advice tailored to entrepreneurial clients. The firm, co-founded by John Coghlan and Charly Duffy, offers a comprehensive suite of legal services designed to support businesses through every stage of their lifecycle, from initial formation and fundraising to growth and significant exit transactions. Their client base is diverse, encompassing prominent Australian start-ups, burgeoning investment funds, family groups, high net worth individuals, and ASX-listed companies.

Since its establishment, Coghlan Duffy has carved a niche by providing expert guidance in complex areas such as corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and venture capital. John Coghlan, a founding partner, is recognised in The Best Lawyers in Australia™ 2026 for Commercial Law, Mergers & Acquisitions Law, and Venture Capital Law, highlighting the firm's expertise in these critical fields. Charly Duffy, also a founding partner, leads the practice with a focus on corporate, commercial, and governance legal issues for both ASX listed and unlisted public companies, and additionally operates cdPlus Corporate Services for company secretarial support.

The firm prides itself on its ability to offer time and cost effective solutions, working collaboratively with clients and other advisors to achieve optimal commercial outcomes. Their service offering extends to business and share sales, acquisitions and investments, corporate structuring, transaction negotiation, and strategic advice. They also assist with new business structures, shareholder and unitholder agreements, convertible note agreements, and crucial ASIC and ASX regulatory compliance matters. Coghlan Duffy's commitment to supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem is evident in their work with Australia's most successful start-ups, investors, and entrepreneurs, guiding them through various funding rounds and growth events.

Beyond corporate transactions, Coghlan Duffy provides extensive commercial law services, including drafting and negotiating customer and supply contracts, addressing employment issues, managing intellectual property advice and registrations, and handling complex finance documentation. They also advise on commercial, industrial, and retail property leases, consumer and privacy law, planning and environmental matters, and representation in property and leasing related dispute resolution. The firm's consistent recognition, including a Tier 1 ranking for Venture Capital Law in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms - Australia, further solidifies their reputation for delivering high-calibre legal services within the Australian market.

Leadership within the firm includes partners such as Jeremy Makowski, who specialises in tax issues related to M&A and corporate transactions; Michael Termine, a corporate and commercial lawyer experienced in M&A and equity capital markets; Harry Pratt, focusing on corporate and commercial law for ASX-listed SMEs; and Victoria Nadalin, a corporate and commercial lawyer with experience in corporate tax and international trade. This dedicated team collectively contributes to Coghlan Duffy's mission of providing comprehensive and insightful legal counsel, fostering enduring client relationships, and assisting businesses in achieving their strategic objectives.