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In the evolving landscape of 2026, the traditional image of a lawyer cloistered in a room of dusty statutes and six-minute increments is rapidly becoming a relic. For Sophie Hutchins, a rising force in the corporate and commercial legal Gold Coast sector at Lawnch, law isn’t a set of barriers. Rather, it can provide a roadmap for growth for businesses that are provided with the right set of tailored guardrails that match their requirements and goals.
Growing up in an entrepreneurial household where “business talk” was the dinner table soundtrack, Sophie developed an early immunity to the dry, black-letter approach to law. Today, she uses that heritage to bridge the gap between high-level business advisory services and the practical realities of scaling a company.
We sat down with Sophie to discuss the shift in client expectations, the impact of AI on the legal profession, and why “corporate and commercial law” at Lawnch is more about the journey than the destination.
“I didn’t actually know what I wanted to do after high school,” Sophie admits with the candour that has become her trade mark. “My mum had studied law, and we are very similar people. She suggested it might be an avenue I’d enjoy. But more than that, my parents have owned multiple businesses. I saw the ups and downs, the commercial practicalities, and the stress of the business journey first-hand.”
This upbringing provided Sophie with a “Godsend” of perspective. In an industry often accused of being clinical, Sophie approaches her clients with the empathy of someone who has seen the “other side” of the desk.
“That’s what differentiates Lawnch,” she explains. “We have that understanding of the business journey. It isn’t just about acting in black and white or telling a client, ‘here is the law.’ It’s about figuring out the pathways that work for them. Sometimes the law is in the way, and our job as an advisory partner is to guide them on what compliance looks like, and the risks of not complying, so that the client can decide on their pathway in alignment with their commercial goals.”
Lawnch has carved out a niche as the go-to firm for fast-growth clients; companies that are moving so quickly they often outpace their own internal governance.
“Fast-growth clients only know what they know,” Sophie says. “When a business is rapidly scaling, it often can’t keep up with internal processes, governance documents, or the structural requirements needed for the next stage. They are focused on cash flow and the trajectory.”
This is where the intersection of commercial law and strategic business advisory becomes critical for businesses based on the Gold Coast and across Australia. For a company transitioning from a “garage startup” to a scaling enterprise, the legal needs are complex and intertwined:
“It’s like a puzzle,” Sophie explains. “We help them put the pieces together, even the pieces they didn’t know they needed. Seeing a client go from the R&D stage to a fully-fledged, scaling business after three years is incredibly rewarding. We aren’t just their lawyers; we are truly in the car and on the journey with them.”
No conversation in 2026 is complete without addressing AI. For many early-career lawyers, the rise of large language models (LLMs) feels like a threat to their relevancy. Sophie, however, sees it through a different lens.
“In the two-to-three-year post-admission bracket, there is a lot of conversation about whether we even want to pursue law anymore,” she says. “There are concerns that AI will take over our positions. But at Lawnch, we find comfort in knowing that AI can’t understand a client the way we do.”
Sophie argues that while AI can draft a basic contract, it cannot provide the nuance required to address complex human problems and the behavioural patterns of business owners as they navigate both calm and stormy seas. “AI can’t navigate problems based on twenty years of experience or the specific commercial context of a business founder. That’s why we are growing with the tools rather than being bogged down by the fear of them, understanding that contextualisation is critical when it comes to practising law.”
When asked what advice she would have given her parents’ businesses ten years ago, Sophie’s answer is rooted in the structural safeguards she now implements for her clients.
“I’d suggest looking at it from a structural perspective early on, making sure the different companies are set up correctly, utilising trusts, and ensuring you have the safeguards to suit your specific situation.”
It’s this blend of retrospective wisdom and forward-looking strategy that defines Sophie’s role at Lawnch. As the Gold Coast continues to emerge as a hub for innovation and venture capital, the need for lawyers who “speak business” has never been higher.
“I love learning,” Sophie concludes. “Every day at Lawnch is different because every client’s scenario is different. My growth comes from that diversity. I’m not just increasing my knowledge in law; I’m increasing my knowledge in how businesses actually succeed.”
At Lawnch, our business advisory services are designed for the bold. We specialise in:
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