Commercial Lease Advice,
in Plain English -
Not Legal Jargon
Reviewing and Negotiating Commercial Leases - Before You Sign
Spot the Traps Early
Tailored Solutions
Fixed-Fee Pricing
"A unique blend of professionalism
mixed with personal sensitivity"
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Miriam Lieberman
Get Your
Complimentary Consultation
Click below to get your NO-OBLIGATION consultation with our lawyer
Multiple Award-Winning Law Firm
Your Business Legal Partner
20+ Years Experience
We Can Help You
Hi! I’m Davina, Founder of The Mum Lawyer -
Commercial Lease Lawyer for Small Business Owners.
Signing a lease for your shop, studio, clinic or office is one of the biggest commitments your business will make — often years of rent, with a personal guarantee on the line.
The lease your landlord gives you is written to protect them, not you. I review it before you sign, explain what every clause actually means in plain English, and flag what's worth negotiating — rent reviews, outgoings, make-good obligations, options to renew, and personal guarantees — so you commit with your eyes open.
Transparent
Fixed-Fee Pricing
Running a business is unpredictable enough – your legal fees shouldn't be. Our fixed-fee structure means you know exactly what you'll pay upfront.
No surprises, no hidden costs, just transparent pricing that lets you plan with confidence.
Consultations That
Fit Your Life
We know your schedule is packed. That's why we offer flexible consultation times – whether it's after the kids are in bed, or during your lunch break.
Can't find a time that works? Just let us know, and we'll make it happen.
Know Where You Stand
Commercial leases are long, dense, and drafted by the landlord's lawyers. We go through yours clause by clause — and tell you exactly where you stand before you commit.
Reasons You Need a Commercial Lease Lawyer
We catch the clauses that cost you later
The expensive parts of a lease are buried in the detail — make-good obligations, outgoings, rent-review formulas, and personal guarantees. We find them before you sign, when you can still do something about them.
We negotiate better terms for you
Leases are more negotiable than landlords let on. We know which terms are standard, which are unreasonable, and where there's room to push — so you sign a fairer deal, not just the one you were handed.
We explain what you're actually agreeing to
A commercial lease can run for many pages of dense legal drafting. We translate it into plain English, so you understand every obligation you're taking on before you commit for the next three, five, or ten years.
We protect you at renewal and exit
Options to renew, assignment when you sell the business, and what you owe when you leave are where tenants get caught out. We make sure your exit and renewal rights are clear and in your favour.
We check the lease matches the deal you agreed
What's in the signed lease isn't always what you shook hands on. We compare the document to the terms you were promised, so nothing quietly changes between handshake and signature.
We catch what's hidden in the fine print
From outgoings that balloon your real rent, to clauses that trap you in or stop you selling, to the incentives you were promised but never written down — we find the costly details before you sign, not after.
Who Do We Help?
We work with small business owners signing, renewing, or assigning a commercial or retail lease — cafes and retail shops, studios, clinics, offices and warehouses. Whether it's your first lease or a renewal, we'll make sure you understand what you're signing and that the terms are fair before you commit.
What Our Clients Are Saying
"Fantastic. Super helpful, and
tailored for me."
- Caroline T.
Allied Health Services
"She does seem to be
the legal whisperer."
- Bianca V.
Life and Business Coach
"I cannot fault any part of any service I have had"
- Tim K.
Ecommerce
"An absolute gem... able to answer all my legal questions with ease."
- Tracey B.
Web Designer and Copywriter
"My go-to person... normal, relatable and makes the legal side of things easy."
-Zo B.
E-Commerce Store
"So easy to work with! She knew exactly what I needed for my business niche."
-Bec O.
Textile Design
Real Problems We Solve Every Day
"The landlord sent me a 60-page lease and I have no idea what I'm actually agreeing to."
"What's this 'make-good' clause, and is it going to cost me a fortune when I move out?"
"Am I personally on the hook if the business can't pay the rent?"
"How much can they put my rent up each year — and is that even normal?"
"What happens if the business doesn't work out, or I want to sell and hand the lease over?"
"Is it too late to negotiate, or do I just have to sign what they've given me?"
Sound familiar? You're not alone. Most business owners sign their first commercial lease with no real idea what they've committed to — and the language is built to keep it that way.
Here's the thing: you don't have to sign blind. We go through your lease clause by clause, tell you exactly where you stand, and flag what's worth pushing back on — in plain English, for a fixed fee, before you commit.
No nasty surprises three years down the track.
More Of What Our Clients Say!
"10 years ago"...
Ten years ago, I stood in court representing business owners whose worlds were falling apart.
Court isn't just expensive – it's devastating. I watched clients drain their savings, lose sleep, and sacrifice precious time with their families. All because their contracts had gaps. Their legal foundations weren't solid.
Their businesses were vulnerable.
I kept thinking: This could have been prevented.
With properly drafted agreements, these business owners would never have ended up here. With clear terms that protected their interests, they'd be running their businesses instead of fighting legal battles. With the right legal partner from the start, they'd have the confidence to grow without fear.
That's when it hit me: I needed to be that legal partner.
These entrepreneurs didn't just need a lawyer – they needed someone who understood their journey, who could translate their vision into bulletproof legal protection, and who genuinely cared about their success.
I made a commitment that day:
to keep business owners out of court by getting their legal foundations right from day one.
Today, I create legal solutions that don't just protect businesses – they empower the entrepreneurs behind them with the tools, confidence, and peace of mind to build something extraordinary.
– Davina Borrow-Jones
What We Offer
Plain-English Lease Review
A clear, clause-by-clause breakdown of what your lease actually means — no jargon, no guesswork.
Negotiation Support
We identify the unfair or risky terms and help you push back before you sign, so you start the tenancy on fairer footing.
A Clear Risk Summary
The traps that catch tenants — personal guarantees, make-good, outgoings, rent reviews — laid out plainly so you know your real exposure.
Renewal & Exit Clarity
Understand your options to renew, assign, or exit, so you're never trapped or caught out at the end of the term.
Peace of Mind
Sign knowing exactly what you've agreed to — protected for the full life of the lease.
The bottom line: a commercial lease is one of the biggest financial commitments your business will make. We make sure you understand every part of it and that the terms are fair — before you sign — so you can get on with running your business instead of worrying about what's in the fine print.
About the Founder
I knew if I could provide simple, affordable, flexible legal solutions for women at the startup stage, they would be empowered for the future success of their businesses. I love hearing other women’s journeys, and can’t wait to hear about you and why you started your business!
Davina, Mum Lawyer
With over 20+ years legal experience working for Australian and US law firms, Davina has developed a boutique practice supporting lady startups and small businesses with their e-commerce and commercial contracts, trademarks and IP.
She holds a Masters of Law from the University of Technology, Sydney, and a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Performance Studies from the University of Sydney.
Get Started Today!
Why sign before you understand it?
Get your lease reviewed now, while you still have room to negotiate.
Or Call Now (02) 8001 6112
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