National law firm Holding Redlich is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Kinsella as a Tax Controversy Partner in the firm’s Sydney office.

Mr Kinsella is one of Australia’s leading tax disputes lawyers with more than 30 years’ experience advising public companies, SME clients and high net worth individuals on tax matters with a focus on tax audits, tax risk management, corresponding with the ATO, evidence gathering including expert evidence, dispute resolution and litigation.

Mr Kinsella, who joins from MinterEllison, said he was drawn to Holding Redlich’s reputation as a leading player in regulatory disputes and the opportunity to work closely with Damien Bourke and Sue Williamson, partners in Brisbane and Melbourne respectively.

His appointment comes as Holding Redlich continues to grow a dedicated tax controversy practice across the Eastern seaboard, with a focus on securing the best outcomes for clients.

“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,” Mr Kinsella said.

“The Holding Redlich regulatory disputes team has 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.”

Mr Kinsella is joined at Holding Redlich by Stephen Jones, a senior tax litigator also formerly with Minter Ellison who holds deep credentials in tax controversy matters. They have worked together for more than a decade on many leading tax disputes including the landmark Chevron transfer pricing case.

Ian Robertson AO, National Managing Partner of Holding Redlich, said the firm is pleased to have attracted Chris and Stephen to its fast-growing tax controversy practice.

“Our tax disputes team is a highly specialised team of lawyers with unparalleled experience assisting clients manage tax risk and resolve tax disputes,” Mr Robertson said.

Mr Kinsella said the ATO is currently looking more closely at taxpayers across all industry sectors, particularly in the SME space and high net worth individuals.

“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 pandemic,” he 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”.”

Chris Kinsella is a Law Society of NSW Accredited Specialist in dispute resolution, co-Chair of the Tax Institute Dispute Resolution Sub-committee and a Chartered Accountant. He is also a member of the Manly Life Saving Club and Non-Executive Director of Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury.