Tax partner Clint Harding is a finalist in this year’s Lawyers Weekly 'Partner of the Year' Awards, in recognition of his specialist work in “intricate taxation matters”.
Clint’s nomination outlined why Arnold Bloch Leibler’s tax practice has the reputation it has for a detailed and balanced understanding of the tax system - knowing what levers can be pulled and where the stresses are - and an equally deep understanding of the processes of government.
Clint has worked on a significant number of matters in the last 12 months (as covered in his nomination), including:
- Being part of the National Tax Liaison Group, working closely with Treasury and the ATO in drafting the legislation and accompanying guidance on the COVID-19 economic stimulus packages - with the legislation described by AG Christian Porter as the most important drafting exercise since World War 2.
- Advising executives of MYOB in relation to KKR’s $2 billion takeover. This involved critical negotiation of transaction documents in respect of management incentive arrangements and providing tax advice to the CEO and executives.
- Advising Starwood Capital Partners on its $220 million construction facility to a student accommodation project in Melbourne, billed as the tallest such tower in the world. According to the Financial Review, the debt deal is the largest in Australia for purpose-built student accommodation.
In the nomination, Clint explains that “due to the entrepreneurial nature of our clients’ businesses, the tax advice we provide is at the complex end of the spectrum, requiring technical acumen, experience in dealing with senior officials at the ATO and an intense focus on finding the best solution from a commercial perspective”.
Congratulations to the other finalists. To view a full list of the finalists, click here.
Winners in all categories will be announced next month.
