On Thursday, 4 June 2026, Louis Shivarev, founding partner of TNS Lawyers, was named Commercial Partner of the Year at the Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year Awards 2026.
The awards were held at a black-tie gala at The Star Sydney. Louis was selected from a national field of ten finalists in the Commercial category, competing against partners from firms of all sizes across the country.
It is a significant recognition. And for those who know how Louis works, it is not a surprise.
What This Award Actually Means
The Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year Awards is one of the most respected recognition programs in the Australian legal profession. The Commercial Partner of the Year category is specifically about outcomes; judges assess the quality and complexity of the work, the impact on clients, and the lawyer’s contribution to the profession.
Winning it as a partner at a boutique Melbourne firm, against a national field that included partners from significantly larger organisations, says something real about the standard of work being done at TNS Lawyers.
Before the event, Louis put it plainly:
“If I won, it’d recognise that a boutique firm can lead complex commercial work with utmost integrity and commercial applicability while highlighting my team’s excellence.“
That is exactly what this award recognises.
The Philosophy Behind the Practice
Louis did not set out to build a conventional law firm. He set out to fix something that frustrated him about how commercial legal advice was typically delivered: too slow, too jargon-heavy, and too disconnected from what clients actually needed.
His approach is built on a straightforward but demanding standard. Legal advice should produce real commercial outcomes. Clients should never leave a meeting confused about their position or their options. If a client emails, they hear back promptly, not three days later, because responsiveness is basic respect, not a premium service.
“We speak like real humans,” Louis has said. “If a client leaves a meeting confused, I’ve failed. I’d rather explain something plainly and make sure they understand the commercial trade-offs than hide behind legal language.”
This extends to how TNS operates as a firm. Louis has invested in systems that reduce admin and improve consistency, including practice management software, structured client onboarding, and clear internal workflows so the client experience does not depend on any one person having a good week. The standard is embedded, not personal.
The Work Behind the Recognition
Louis’s commercial practice spans corporate transactions, complex commercial agreements, business acquisitions and restructures, and ongoing advisory work for businesses at various stages of growth.
One distinguishing aspect of his approach is a genuine interest in how businesses work, not just the legal mechanics, but the commercial logic behind the decisions clients bring to him. He has spoken about watching clients build serious businesses from small beginnings, including one client in the automotive sector who went from washing and detailing cars to running multiple dealerships. Getting the legal side right at each stage of that kind of growth is not a passive exercise. It requires a lawyer who understands where the client is going, not just where they are.
That commercial awareness, combined with technical precision and a commitment to clear communication, is what the judges recognised.
Congratulations to All 2026 Finalists and Winners
We extend our genuine congratulations to every finalist and winner across the 2026 Partner of the Year Awards. The calibre of this year’s program was exceptional, and being recognised in that field makes this award all the more meaningful.
Thank you to Lawyers Weekly, Principal Partner Commonwealth Bank Private, and to the judging panel for putting together an outstanding evening.
And most importantly, thank you to our clients. This recognition is a reflection of the trust you place in us to do the work properly.
Work With an Award-Winning Commercial Lawyer
If you are looking for commercial legal advice that is technically sound, commercially practical, and delivered without unnecessary complexity, TNS Lawyers is worth a conversation.
We work with businesses and individuals across Melbourne and Australia on commercial law, corporate law, and property law matters.
Book a call with our team. https://www.tnslawyers.com.au/contact/
