Australian law firm Madgwicks hires high profile tax litigator Tom May
Law firm Madgwicks has announced the appointment of leading taxation practitioner Tom May, to grow the firm’s taxation practice.
A senior taxation lawyer with a long-standing and highly reputable taxation practice, Tom is one of only a handful of lawyers in Australia who successfully combines his extensive taxation expertise with his substantial litigation experience.
Practising almost exclusively for more than 30 years in the areas of taxation disputes and litigation (including tax audits), as well as taxation planning, and complex trust and estate planning issues, Tom has given advice in relation to almost every area of both Federal and State taxation to a very large range of clients including public and private companies, local government, incorporated associations, private individuals and charitable groups.
Tom has also advised and drawn agreements in relation to a very large range of commercial matters, often as a result of issues arising from taxation advice. This is particularly so in the forestry industry where he has advised many clients who have made investments in forestry operations in various States throughout Australia. He has also advised some of the largest forestry public company groups in relation to aspects of their activities.
Tom has run cases in Federal and State Courts and Tribunals. He has been the solicitor in three landmark cases where the taxpayers have succeeded against the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
A former Partner and Managing Partner/Chairman of Herbert Geer (now Thomson Geer), Tom’s appointment complements Madgwicks’ taxation and litigation teams in servicing business clients with disputes and advice that involve complex tax issues.
“A critical factor in achieving the best outcomes for our clients is having the depth of talent and experience that our clients can rely on. Tom’s appointment is important in bringing both the taxation and litigation expertise together, particularly when unforeseen ATO or SRO issues arise,” said Peter Kennedy, Madgwicks’ Managing Partner.
“My professional goal is to provide the most appropriate approach and informed advice to clients, whether in negotiating with the ATO or SRO, and in dealing with matters where knowledge of tax law is essential,” said Tom.
“We are delighted that Tom is joining Madgwicks. Tom’s experienced background and talent will be of tremendous benefit to our clients,” said Peter.
Tom has been a member of the Law Institute of Victoria Taxation and Revenue Committee for many years and is a long standing member of the Council of the Law Institute. He was a former Trustee of the Monash University Superannuation Fund and a member of the Council of Monash University for more than 25 years.
From time to time, Tom has contributed articles and has spoken at (and chaired) conferences in Melbourne, Sydney and Launceston on tax litigation and for the Taxation Institute of Australia, the Law Institute of Victoria and commercial providers on taxation matters.