We are passionate about business and franchise law
Welcome to Stewart Germann Law Office
We are widely acknowledged as New Zealand's leading franchise law firm and can provide you with expert legal advice in all areas of commercial and business law including franchising and licensing.
Call us on 09 308 9925
Our People
PARTNER AND NOTARY PUBLIC
Stewart has over 40 years' experience and extensive legal expertise in drafting franchise agreements and master franchise agreements. He acts for franchisors and franchisees in New Zealand and abroad and is an expert mediator.
Stewart is listed in the International Who's Who of franchise lawyers and is a recognised national and international guest speaker at franchise conferences worldwide. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at Auckland University Law School teaching franchise law and the only lawyer in New Zealand to hold the qualification of Certified Franchise Executive (CFE), for which he was accredited in 2020.
Stewart is a qualified Mediator and available for mediations.
Stewart also operates The Franchise Coach, whose services can be found here.
Stewart Germann
PARTNER
Khushbu joined SGL in 2017 and became a Senior Associate in 2019 and a partner in 2022. After gaining her law degree from the University of Auckland she worked in general practice for 3 years in Auckland.
Khushbu is also admitted to practice in Victoria, Australia where she spent two years specialising in leasing, wills and estates. Upon her return to New Zealand in 2017 she joined SGL where she specialises in franchising, licensing and commercial contracts.
Khushbu Sundarji
Client Endorsements
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"Stewart practically wrote the book on franchising in New Zealand - you want this guy on your side"
Jason Barba, Mike Pero Mortgages
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"The premier franchise law firm in New Zealand. Highly recommended for expertise on franchising and franchise law"
Melissa Bowen, Stretch-n-Grow
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"Excellent personal service which has not changed over our 27 year association. We appreciate being treated as equal and accessibility is excellent"
Dr Andrew Webster
Systems we have helped
Highlights
Lexology Index says:
''Stewart Germann is regarded as outstanding in the franchising community with a wealth of experience acting for franchisors.''
Best Lawyers 2025 Edition
Stewart Germann has been recognised in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers.
Notary Public
Stewart Germann appeared on the Eden Exchange podcast in February and discussed franchising in New Zealand. Click here to listen to the podcast.
Stewart Germann is a Notary Public in Central Auckland and is able to witness documents for overseas jurisdictions. If you require notarial services please Contact Us.
Stewart is also the current President of the New Zealand Society of Notaries Inc and the New Zealand Governor of the Australian and New Zealand College of Notaries (ANZCN) based in Melbourne, Australia.
Eden Exchange Podcast
Latest News
Global Franchise Awards 2025
Lexology Index Thought Leaders Global Elite 2025
Massey University Franchising New Zealand Report 2024
American Chamber of Commerce DHL Success & Innovation Awards for Companies doing business in the USA
Stewart Germann Law Office was presented with the Highly Commended Award in the category of Best Franchise Law Firm at the Global Franchise Awards ceremony on 11 February 2025 in Las Vegas.
Stewart Germann was recognised as one of the world’s leading practitioners in the Lexology Index (formerly Who’s Who Legal) Thought Leaders: Global Elite 2025 report in the franchising category.
Stewart Germann Law Office was presented with a Highly Commended Award in the category of Bilateral Connections with the USA at the awards dinner on 15 August 2024.
Stewart Germann Law Office was one of the sponsors of the Massey University Franchising New Zealand survey. The results are out and show a notable growth in the franchising sector in New Zealand. You can read more here.
Recognition
Best Lawyers in New Zealand 2025 edition - Franchise Law
Global Advisory Experts Annual Awards - Franchising Law Expert of 2024 in New Zealand
Global Advisory Experts Annual Awards -Commercial Law Expert of 2024 in New Zealand
Winner of 2024 GLOBAL 100 - Franchise Law Firm of the Year - New Zealand
Winner of 2024 M &A Today - Global Awards - Law Firm of the Year - Franchise - New Zealand
Corporate International Global Award - Franchising Law Expert of the Year in New Zealand - 2024
