Boutique Commercial Law Experts
Sharp Counsel
Your Legal A-Team
Why, How, What
Why
Sharp Counsel exists to give organisations the rare advantage of strategic, commercially minded legal support — delivered with the experience of a global general counsel and the personal care of a boutique practice.
With international and domestic expertise, we take a calm, pragmatic, and hands-on approach — simplifying complexity, anticipating risk, and helping leaders make confident decisions.
Clients choose us because we think like business partners, work seamlessly with their teams, and deliver premium legal outcomes — without the layers, delays, or overheads of traditional firms.
At Sharp Counsel, your success is our priority — and we roll up our sleeves to help you achieve it.
What
Corporate & commercial law
Strategic transactions & M&A
Global contracts & cross-border negotiation
Governance, ethics & integrity
Company secretarial support
Clinical trials & medical research contracting
Healthcare, biopharma & life sciences
Privacy, cybersecurity & data breach governance
Dispute resolution
Interim in-house legal support
Training and mentoring
How
As a boutique practice, we work in ways that genuinely suit your needs — whether on retainer, as interim in-house counsel, or on a project or transaction basis.
Our legal expertise is delivered without the overheads of a large firm, and direct access to a lawyer who is responsive, commercially astute and invested in your success.
Our Services
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We advise on all aspects of corporate and commercial law, including contracts, strategic transactions, joint ventures, global supply agreements, mergers and acquisitions, and business restructures. Our governance and compliance expertise includes board advisory, policy development, ethical frameworks, company secretarial support, and regulatory response strategies to help organisations operate with integrity and accountability.
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Our team has deep expertise in the healthcare and life sciences sectors, supporting clients across research collaborations, clinical trial agreements, material transfers, and IP-related contracting. We help navigate complex regulatory environments and ensure compliance with privacy and data protection standards in clinical and research settings.
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We provide practical guidance on privacy governance, cybersecurity frameworks, breach response, and cross-border data compliance. Our approach combines proactive risk assessment with clear, action-oriented advice to help clients safeguard their information and maintain trust in an increasingly digital environment.
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Our employment and dispute resolution services cover contracts, workplace policies, investigations, and the management of sensitive issues. We also represent clients in commercial disputes, regulatory investigations, and early resolution processes. For organisations seeking additional legal capability, we offer flexible interim in-house counsel services to provide experienced legal leadership on a part-time or project basis.
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We deliver strategic legal support for complex mergers and acquisitions, from due diligence and structuring to negotiation and post-completion integration. Our team advises on IP licensing and commercialisation, helping clients protect and maximise the value of their intellectual property in competitive markets. We also guide organisations through large-scale projects — including public-private partnerships, infrastructure developments, and multi-jurisdictional collaborations — ensuring clarity, compliance, and successful outcomes at every stage.
Our ethos
Sharp Counsel is passionate about providing the best commercially savvy legal counsel to businesses, from start-ups to global corporations.
We are not only team members but fans - barracking for your successes, and adding value—strategic advice tailored to your business, objectives and goals.
We not only provide actionable advice but also roll up our sleeves to help get it done.
From strategic transactions and contract negotiations to risk minimisation, compliance, governance, clinical trials, and dispute resolution, we concentrate on practical results that advance your business.
Sharp Counsel is led by Leeanne Sharp — a personable, globally experienced commercial lawyer, Fulbright Scholar, and dual University Medalist. Admitted in both Australia and New York, Leeanne brings over 25 years of international experience across corporate, commercial, and strategic legal matters.
She has served as Group General Counsel, Head of Legal and senior counsel across ASX100, NASDAQ-listed and global organisations in healthcare, biopharma, medical research, transport, telecommunications, banking, energy, superannuation and major projects. Her work spans cross-border transactions, multi-million-dollar deals, clinical trials, global contracts, company secretarial responsibilities, governance frameworks, privacy and cybersecurity, and complex regulatory matters.
About Us
Leeanne Sharp
LLM BCom (Hons) GAICD
Leeanne Sharp is a personable and highly accomplished commercial lawyer with a rare blend of global experience, strategic insight and operational pragmatism. A Fulbright Scholar and dual University Medalist, Leeanne is admitted to practice in Australia and New York and has worked across Australia, the USA, Asia and the Americas.
Over more than 25 years, Leeanne has held senior legal, executive and strategic roles across ASX100, NASDAQ-listed and international organisations. She has served as Group General Counsel, Head of Legal, Senior Legal Counsel and Company Secretary across the healthcare, biopharmaceutical, clinical research, transport, telecommunications, banking, energy and superannuation sectors.
Her practice spans corporate and commercial law, strategic transactions, global contracts, governance, regulatory affairs, privacy, cybersecurity, clinical trials, major projects and complex dispute resolution. She is known for her ability to simplify complexity, anticipate risk, and provide solutions that are both legally sound and commercially effective.
Leeanne partners closely with Boards, executives, founders, scientists and cross-functional teams — providing strategic legal guidance, stabilising high-pressure situations, and enabling confident decision-making.
Warm, intelligent, and commercially minded, Leeanne combines top-tier legal acumen with a down-to-earth style that clients genuinely value.
Contact us.
Email: Sharp.L1@outlook.com
Tel: + 61 404 109 295