Trusted Commercial & Litigation Lawyers in Townsville
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Cohen Legal
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Cohen Legal is proudly based in Townsville and led by one of the region’s most respected litigators, Samantha Cohen.
With deep expertise in commercial law, litigation, and construction law, we combine technical skill with a rare level of client care and communication. We deliver clear, honest legal advice for real-world problems.
Whether you're a business owner navigating contracts, facing a dispute, or need strategic guidance to protect your interests we’re here to help.
We strive for excellence in everything we do
Civil Litigation
When personal disputes happen, it’s important to have a litigation lawyer who not only understands your situation but has a clear, practical plan to fix it. At Cohen Legal, we focus on solutions that are commercially sensible, aligned with your goals, and tailored to North Queensland’s legal landscape.
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Commercial Litigation
From Townsville to Mount Isa, our team helps clients navigate disputes with confidence. Whether resolution comes through negotiation, mediation or the courts, our priority is to protect your interests and achieve the best outcome possible. And we’ll always be upfront: if it’s not a fight you can win, we’ll tell you.
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Estate Litigation
Disputes over wills, estates, or deceased assets can be legally complex and emotionally draining. Whether you’re a beneficiary, family member, or executor, you deserve clear, respectful legal advice—and a strategy that protects your rights. At Cohen Legal, we help clients resolve estate disputes with clarity and compassion.
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Wills & Estates
Planning for the future can be emotional, deeply personal – and legally complex. Whether you’re drafting a will, need comprehensive estate planning, or facing estate administration, Cohen Legal offers compassionate and expert support tailored to families and individuals in Townsville, Mount Isa, and beyond.
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Commercial Property
Commercial property transactions and disputes often involve high-value assets and strict compliance requirements. Whether you’re buying an office building, leasing a retail space, or managing an investment portfolio, commercial property transactions come with higher stakes and greater complexity.
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Residential Property
Whether you’re buying your first home, managing a family transfer, or resolving a title or tenancy dispute, property decisions often involve your most valuable asset. At Cohen Legal, we offer practical, localised legal advice to guide you through residential conveyancing and property law matters.
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Building & Construction
Commercial or residential building disputes can be costly. Our commercial construction lawyers in Townsville and Mt Isa specialise in resolving building and infrastructure conflicts for businesses, developers, and owners.
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Conveyancing
Transferring ownership or investing in real estate? Our conveyancing lawyers offer end-to-end support with contracts, settlements, and risk management. Secure your next property transaction with expert legal guidance.
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Rural & Agribusiness
Cohen Legal’s agribusiness lawyers offer tailored legal services for farming, grazing, water rights, and rural land disputes. We understand the unique pressures rural and regional businesses face, and we help them grow with clear, strategic legal advice.
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Insolvency & Bankruptcy
Facing financial distress or mounting business debt? Our insolvency and bankruptcy lawyers in Townsville and Mt Isa provide strategic advice on debt restructuring, voluntary administration, and corporate insolvency. Given the urgency and complexity of this area of law, timely guidance is essential.
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Business
The right business agreements reduce risk and protect your bottom line. Our commercial lawyers in Townsville and Mt Isa help you navigate shareholder issues, contracts, and dispute resolution. Legal advice early can prevent costly problem, our business is protecting yours.
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Employment Law – For Employees & Employers
Cohen Legal employment lawyers assist both employees and employers with workplace disputes, unfair dismissal claims, and employment contract law. We help you understand your rights and obligations, develop clear workplace policies, and resolve issues efficiently and lawfully
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At Cohen Legal
We Work With Clients, Not With Cases
Engaging with a lawyer is often one of the most stressful tasks in a person’s life. Our focus is to create an experience where clients feel supported, informed, and empowered every step of the way.
Our core values are deeply embedded in how we work:
- Client-centred care: We view legal matters through the eyes of the client. That means transparency on costs, proactive communication, and involving clients in decisions - not just delivering outcomes to them.
- Accessibility and empathy: As regional litigators, we know the pressures people face. We don’t add to that. Instead, we provide clarity, calm, and practical advice in stressful situations.
- Service excellence: With written service protocols, we ensure every client knows what’s happening with their matter every step of the journey.
We don’t just represent clients. We walk with them.
We are based on the corner of Denham Street and Sturt Street in Townsville
Latest News
Legal Advice from the team at Cohen Legal
Buying or Selling a Business: Assets or Shares?
When someone says they are buying or selling a business, it sounds straightforward. But legally, there may be two very different transactions hiding behind that phrase.
A buyer might purchase the assets that make up the operating business — such as equipment, stock, goodwill, a business name and digital assets. Alternatively, they may purchase shares in the company that already owns and operates the business.
Victoria Tuttle, Associate at Cohen Legal, says the distinction regularly causes confusion, particularly for small business owners who may have operated through a company for years without thinking of themselves as shareholders.
The simplest way to understand it is this: the business is the operation, while a company is a separate legal entity that may own that operation.
In an asset sale, selected contents of the business are transferred to the buyer. In a share sale, ownership of the company itself changes while the company’s existing assets, contracts, rights and obligations remain within it.
For sole traders, there are no company shares to sell, so the transaction generally involves the assets and transferable elements of the business.
Understanding the difference early can make questions about liabilities, contracts, tax and the sale agreement considerably clearer.
Buying a Business in Queensland? What to Check
One of the things I see most often is buyers who fall in love with an opportunity before they’ve worked out exactly what they’re taking on — the company or just the assets, the reputation behind the name, whether the equipment is actually free and clear.
In my latest article, I’ve set out the legal checklist every buyer should work through before settlement: structuring the purchase, due diligence, licensing, digital assets, employees, and the lease. Getting these answered early is what keeps a business purchase straightforward instead of expensive.
Non-Compete Ban: A Small Business Concern | Cohen Legal
Last month I read the Government’s draft laws on non-compete clauses and took a breath. If they pass as drafted, employers won’t be able to use a non-compete for anyone earning up to $190,100, and won’t be able to stop a departing employee recruiting their team. For a small firm, those are your most valuable people. I’ve seen what happens when a manager walks out with the staff, and it can decimate a business. In my latest article I’ve set out what’s proposed, why I’m concerned, and what I’d review in your contracts now.
Serving Townsville & North Queensland
What Our Clients Say
We proudly work with clients from across Townsville, Mt Isa, Charters Towers, Ingham, the Burdekin and regional North Queensland - including small-to-medium enterprises, builders, consultants, not-for-profits, and private clients.
Our knowledge, experience, compassion, and straightforward approach can help you get a result sooner so that you can move forward quicker.
Whether you're seeking advice on a contract, considering litigation, or want to prevent legal issues before they arise - we’re ready to help.
Why These Businesses Choose Cohen Legal
We are Townsville-Based and Regionally Respected.
We’ve built our reputation on trust, relationships, and results. Serving North Queensland since 2015 including Townsville, Mt Isa, Ingham, Charters Towers, the Burdekin and Port Douglas.
Commercial Experience That Sets Us Apart.
Decades of hands-on business and construction industry experience means we offer more than just legal advice - we offer practical solutions.
Clear Communication. Always.
We keep you informed at every stage. No jargon. No surprises.
Transparent Costs. No Hidden Fees.
From day one, you’ll know exactly what to expect and where your investment is going.
Supportive, Human-Centred Legal Practice.
Whether you’re buying a business, managing a dispute, or just don’t know where to turn - we walk with you, not ahead of you.
Over 25 Years.
Cohen Legal has been supporting our community for over 25 years.