David Hackford

Overview

David Hackford is an experienced business and property lawyer.

David commenced his professional life at Mahonys in the City of Melbourne before returning to Traralgon in Central Gippsland.

Since returning to Gippsland, David has worked across a range of practice areas of property and business, family law with a focus on property division and more recently probate and deceased estates.

Since that time David has developed a name for the prompt and straightforward manner in which outcomes for clients are sensibly and professionally achieved.

Areas of expertise

Commercial and Business Law

David’s commercial and business service offerings include acting on the sale and purchase of companies, shares and businesses, drawing up contracts for shareholder, joint venture and supply agreements, advising on related aspects of trust law.

David has also acted for a wide variety of registered clubs and other Not-For Profit entities on their commercial contracts and constitutional matters. David has advised local businesses involving motor vehicle dealers, residential and commercial developers, restaurateurs and venue operators.

Personally, David has over the years served on the board of Dalkeith and JL Macmillan Memorial Home Inc which expanded its operations to cover the development of independent living units and expansive community facilities, the Walhalla Board of Management, the Friends of the Traralgon Courthouse, Gippsland Law Association, Regional Lawyers Reference Group, Gippsland Regional Executive Forum and currently the Little Village Project which partners with schools to address specific needs of vulnerable children identified as at risk with a view to engaging or re-engaging them in their education.

Wills and Deceased Estates

David’s practice in commercial property and family enables him to prepare a range of wills (and powers) that are appropriate for a wide range of clients and their particular situations. 

This can extend to the use of testamentary trusts, nominations and super equalisation without over complicating matters for the firm’s clients.  The ease with which the process is undertaken leaves clients, their accountants and advisors both satisfied and relieved.

Probate work is aptly handled through the firm’s busy probate department.

David has at times been required to act as the executor of wills and trustees of estates, some of the work being complex.  Where an eligible family member seeks further provision David acts in respect of Part IV Proceedings issued in either the County or Supreme Courts of Victoria.

Property

David’s early years in property assisted to ground the firm as a major force in property and conveyancing work.  David currently provides more specialised advice to clients and oversees an effective team of conveyancing staff over 2 offices and his no-nonsense approach has assisted to develop lasting relationships with stakeholders including accountants, planners, brokers and real estate agents and has merged several smaller conveyancing businesses into operations.

David has acted for both borrowers and lenders. Often those transactions included the giving or taking of security, such as a mortgage over land, perfecting security under the Personal Property Securities Act (“PPSA”) and commercial property leasing and sales.

David’s clients have included banks, finance companies, investors, private lenders and SMEs.

Achievements

David graduated university with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Tasmania in 1991 having lived in Hobart for some years after his education at Gippsland Grammar had been completed.