14+ Years Experience
ADF Legal Officer — Major
Admitted: Supreme Court WA + Federal Court
Level 25, 108 St Georges Terrace, Perth
14+
Years of Legal Practice
2
Practice Areas
ADF
Military Legal Expertise
Director

Jonathan Crabtree

Commercial & Estate Planning Lawyer | Major, Australian Army Reserve

Jonathan is a seasoned commercial lawyer and Legal Officer (Major) with over 14 years of experience delivering practical solutions to intricate legal challenges. Blending extensive commercial knowledge with military precision, he offers a distinctive approach to legal practice that prioritizes strategic results for his clients.

With a career spanning leading law firms, pro-bono legal work, and service in the Australian Defence Force, Jonathan's methodology is rooted in both technical excellence and pragmatic insights. His background as a business owner and Director equips him with a deep understanding of the real-world challenges his clients encounter, enabling him to provide advice that is both legally robust and commercially astute.

Court Admissions
  • Supreme Court of Western Australia
  • Federal Court of Australia
Qualifications
  • LLB — University of Western Australia
  • BCom — University of Western Australia
Memberships
  • Law Society of Western Australia
Defence
  • Legal Officer — Australian Army Reserve
  • Rank: Major

What We Do

Areas of Legal Expertise

Crabtree Legal provides clear, strategic legal advice across two core practice areas. Whether you are structuring a new business, protecting your estate, or navigating a commercial dispute, we deliver practical outcomes — not just legal theory.

Commercial Law

Practical, commercially-minded legal advice for business owners across the full business lifecycle — from establishment through to exit.

  • Company Set Ups & Business Structuring
  • Reviewing and Drafting Business Contracts
  • Trust Creation and Variation
  • Shareholder and Director Agreements
  • Share Sale Transactions
  • Sale or Purchase of a Business
  • Transitioning Incorporated Associations to Companies Limited by Guarantee

Wills, Estate & Succession Planning

Comprehensive estate planning to protect your assets and ensure your wishes are carried out — covering simple wills through to complex testamentary trust arrangements.

  • Simple and Complex Wills (incl. Testamentary Trusts)
  • Enduring Powers of Attorney
  • Enduring Powers of Guardianship
  • Business Succession Planning
  • Loan Agreements
  • Dealing with Superannuation and Trusts
  • Applications for Probate or Letters of Administration
Discuss Your Matter

Why Crabtree Legal

A Distinctive Approach to Legal Practice

Crabtree Legal brings together commercial acumen, military discipline, and a genuine commitment to client outcomes — a combination you will not find at most Perth law firms.

Military Precision

Jonathan's background as an ADF Legal Officer instills a level of rigour, attention to detail, and strategic thinking that translates directly into better legal outcomes for clients.

Commercially Astute

As a business owner himself, Jonathan understands the real-world pressures you face. Legal advice is always grounded in commercial reality, not just legal theory.

Veteran Owned

Crabtree Legal is proud to be veteran-owned and operated — a firm built on values of integrity, service, and commitment to delivering results for every client.

Client Feedback

What Our Clients Say

Crabtree Legal has the best lawyers in the region. With them, you have a better chance of winning.

I recommend Crabtree Legal because when I had a personal injury case, they helped me win sooner than I expected.

Crabtree Legal offers the best legal expertise. Their lawyers care, and their legal solutions are pretty reasonable.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the questions we hear most often from prospective clients.

Crabtree Legal specialises in two core areas: commercial law (business structuring, contracts, shareholder agreements, trust creation, share sales, business acquisitions) and wills, estate and succession planning (wills, testamentary trusts, powers of attorney, probate, business succession). Director Jonathan Crabtree has over 14 years of experience across both practice areas.
A testamentary trust is a trust created by your will that comes into effect upon your death. Unlike a standard will, a testamentary trust can provide significant asset protection for beneficiaries and potential tax benefits — particularly useful where beneficiaries include minor children or individuals with complex financial circumstances. Crabtree Legal advises on both simple wills and complex wills incorporating testamentary trusts.
An Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA) is a legal document that appoints someone to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf if you lose capacity. Unlike a standard Power of Attorney, an EPOA continues to operate even if you lose mental capacity — making it one of the most important documents you can put in place. Without one, your family may need to apply to the State Administrative Tribunal to obtain decision-making authority, which is a costly and time-consuming process.
Key considerations include the appropriate legal structure (sole trader, partnership, company, or trust), liability exposure, tax implications, and whether you have co-founders or investors requiring shareholder and director agreements. Crabtree Legal advises on the full range of business structuring options available in Western Australia, helping you choose the structure that best suits your goals and risk profile.
Yes. Crabtree Legal is veteran-owned and operated. Director Jonathan Crabtree is a commissioned Legal Officer (Major) in the Australian Army Reserve. His military background informs the firm's approach: structured thinking, attention to detail, and a focus on strategic outcomes for every client.
Crabtree Legal is located at Level 25, 108 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000 — in the heart of Perth's CBD legal precinct. To make an appointment, call +61 8 6557 8939 or email jonathan.crabtree@crabtreelegal.com.au. You can also use the contact form on this page and we will respond within one business day.

Get in Touch

Speak to Jonathan Crabtree

Ready to discuss your legal matter? Contact us today for a straightforward conversation about how we can help.

Address
Level 25, 108 St Georges Terrace
Perth WA 6000

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We will respond within one business day.