Tax controversy pair trades MinterEllison for Holding Redlich

Journalist: Jacqueline So
Publication: Australasian Lawyer
Publisher: Key Media

A pair of tax controversy experts have traded MinterEllison for Holding Redlich.

Chris Kinsella joins Holding Redlich as the newest partner on its regulatory disputes team alongside senior tax litigator Stephen Jones, who takes on the special counsel role. Both are top tax disputes talent who have worked together on noteworthy cases for over 10 years, including the Chevron transfer pricing matter.

“I am delighted to join Holding Redlich. I was attracted to the firm’s strategy which is based on two key factors: expertise and independence,” Kinsella said.

Kinsella brings to the firm over three decades of experience and a strong reputation in tax disputes. His practice concentrates on tax audits, tax risk management, ATO correspondence, evidence gathering (including expert evidence), dispute resolution and litigation.

A dispute resolution specialist accredited by the NSW Law Society, Kinsella advises public companies, SME clients and high net worth individuals, especially with the current heightened scrutiny from the ATO when it comes to taxpayers across all industries.

“This increased focus is not a surprise. Independent legal advice has never been more important given the widespread industry disruption, and need for revenue, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Kinsella said. “The recent release of the findings of the ATO’s Top 500 program has also found only 52 of the Top 500 wealthiest private groups in Australia have achieved the ATO’s expectations for the hurdle of reaching what the ATO sees as ‘justified trust’.”

Kinsella lauded Holding Redlich’s regulatory disputes group, which he said had “exemplary skills on all dispute and litigation issues relating to disputes with regulators, including evidence gathering, legal professional privilege, alternative dispute resolution and dispute strategy.”

“Importantly, the team brings an independent assessment to the disputes it works on, partnering with experts in related areas to understand the underlying technical issues,” he said.

Kinsella also expressed his eagerness to collaborate with partners Damien Bourke (Brisbane) and Sue Williamson (Melbourne) from his base in Sydney.

Managing partner Ian Robertson AO praised the hire of Kinsella and Jones, which is in line with Holding Redlich’s commitment to expanding its dedicated tax controversy practice in the eastern seaboard.

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