Our experience
Australia’s most influential individuals and families turn to us for advice.
We understand that there is more at stake for our private clients than money alone. We help our clients build and maintain their legacies.
We provide legal counsel on all aspects of wealth structuring at all stages of life, from start-up business to intergenerational succession planning. Our expertise allows us to provide highly tailored advice to Australia’s most influential people, including in relation to taxation, wealth structuring, and integration of business and personal structures.
Arnold Bloch Leibler’s history is intrinsically linked to advising Australia’s most successful entrepreneurs and families. For seventy years we have assisted individuals to strategically and holistically manage the complex interplay of technical, commercial and personal dynamics which arise in high net wealth families.
Our lawyers are more than subject-matter experts; they are trusted advisers with the ability to provide each client with incisive, bespoke solutions.
Ranked Band 1 for Private Wealth Law
Typical work
Discretion is essential to our practice.
However, by way of example, our typical private client work includes advising in relation to:
- Trust structuring
- Family agreements
- International relocation, including tax and wealth transfer
- Tax residency
- Ownership of luxury assets
- Multi-generational wealth transfer
- Succession and estate planning
- Management of probate and wealth transfer
- High end conveyancing
- Preparing family businesses to pass to the next generation
- Establishing charities
- Philanthropic pursuits
- Integration of family law agreements with personal asset structuring, and
- Privacy and reputation management.
“An exceptionally strong firm which really specialises in looking after HNW individuals and families at the highest level.”
ABL Private services
Protecting wealth
Many forces risk eroding wealth, including family law claims, commercial pursuits, and the liability inherent to high-profile roles. ABL is experienced in structuring and implementing strategies which manage these risks and protect family wealth.
Estate planning and disputes
We are experienced in formulating and implementing strategies to ensure clients’ testamentary wishes are fulfilled while addressing critical tax considerations and managing the risk of disputes and family acrimony. We also have extensive experience in representing key stakeholders in disputes involving estates and trusts, including family provision claims and other litigation dealing with beneficiary claims.
Family separation
In some circumstances, the future of a family depends on independence. We are experienced in advising on the restructure and separation of privately held assets and businesses, including in relation to critical tax impacts and in the context of familial disputes.
Business succession planning and family agreements
We know that effective business succession planning is much more than just the transfer of ownership of a business. We devise strategies for private clients whose businesses are entering a transitional phase, so that the appropriate control mechanisms are established, and appropriate individuals are appointed to run the business.
We also assist clients wishing to transfer business ownership to specific individuals in a manner that is fair and equitable to all family members.
Taxation planning and advice
With the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) continuing to target high-net-worth individuals and family groups for investigation and audit, an effective wealth management strategy is vital in protecting assets from the potentially erosive effects of taxation.
Our reputation in the area of private client taxation is unrivalled. See our Taxation page for more information and contact details.
Philanthropy
A large number of our private clients support important social causes through philanthropy, including the establishment of charitable funds. ABL is at the forefront of this area of law, being widely experienced in charitable giving, from the perspective of both the donor and the recipient organisation.
Of particular note is our work in establishing private ancillary funds (PAFs), a Federal Government initiative to promote corporate and personal philanthropy. In addition, partners of the firm act as trustees on several client PAFs, and more broadly, advise on the tax-effective allocation and management of charitable funds.
Family Offices
Our Family Office practice offers discreet and astute legal counsel in relation to all needs of Family Offices and family businesses. We assist our clients to manage and navigate wealth, ensuring their financial future is secure and aligned with their ambitions.

People
Insights & news

Key Private Group Tax developments: 2024 year in review

Key Corporate Tax developments: 2024 year in review

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Arnold Bloch Leibler listed in 2023 Chambers Asia Pacific guide

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Arnold Bloch Leibler named in the 2022 Doyle’s Guide

Deadline is fast approaching to apply for your Director Identification Number

ABL ranked as leading firm by Chambers High Net Worth guide

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Identification requirements for company Directors

Joey Borensztajn recognised at Collingwood Football Club AGM

Arnold Bloch Leibler recognised in the 2021 Doyle’s Guide

Arnold Bloch Leibler ranked No. 1 by Chambers High Net Worth guide

ABL advises on Fitness Outcomes acquisition

Arnold Bloch Leibler features in 2021 Chambers Asia Pacific guide

Newly appointed Senior Associate Jenny Leongue on market trends

“A product of and a shaper of this community” – AJN features The Powerbroker: Mark Leibler, an Australian Jewish Life

AFR extract from The Powerbroker: Leon Zwier’s role at ABL

AFR extract of The Powerbroker “explores the Jewish roots of one of Australia's most influential law firms”

“How Mark Leibler exercises his power and influence”: AFR Weekend

Weekend Australian extract of The Powerbroker: “His influence far exceeds his public profile”

ABL features prominently in Chambers High Net Worth Guide

ABL a finalist for Commercial Team of the Year 2020

Changes to NSW property laws 'reinventing history'

Changes to the application of foreign surcharges for trusts acquiring or holding NSW residential property

Q&A with new Special Counsel Emily Simmons

2020 Partner, Special Counsel and Senior Associate announcement

COVID-19 reinforces good sense of document witnessing reforms

ABL acts on Australia’s biggest pub transaction in Byron Bay

Expansion of the Tax Avoidance Taskforce for private groups and high wealth individuals

ABL hosts ANZ chief Shayne Elliott in Sydney

Changes to land tax in Victoria: Removal of the ‘Tennis Court Exemption’
External Conduct Standards for charities operating overseas

Joey Borensztajn receives Queen’s Birthday Honour

2020 Best Lawyers® International results

ABL hosts Wantok Musik event at MPavilion

New electoral funding and disclosure laws

Charities update: 5 key developments
ABL finalists in the 2018 Women in Law Awards

Finalist for Commercial Team of the Year - Australian Law Awards

Christine Fleer and Paul Sokolowski finalists for Partner of the Year 2018

33 ABL lawyers listed in Best Lawyers 2019 guide

Succession and estate planning update - Victoria
