Rupert Shiers resigns from Herbert Smith Freehills to lead direct tax dispute practice at Hogan Lovells

Hogan Lovells has hired leading tax disputes partner Rupert Shiers into its London tax team. Rupert will join the firm next week on Monday 24 June.

Rupert will lead the direct tax disputes practice and has been a partner since 2007, most recently at Herbert Smith Freehills, from where he joins Hogan Lovells.

Rupert advises on the resolution of HMRC enquiries and investigations and has led tax litigation in the UK Tax Tribunal, English Courts and European Court of Justice. Clients he has advised in successful complex and high-value litigation include Philips and Legal & General. He also advises high net-worth individuals and is an expert on the legislation and case law governing dealings with HMRC.

Rupert’s appointment will complement Hogan Lovells’ pre-eminent indirect tax disputes practice, led by Michael Conlon QC, to offer tax dispute resolution services with specialist expertise in both direct and indirect tax, the only global law firm to do so.

Commenting on Rupert’s arrival, Fulvia Astolfi, global Co-Head of Hogan Lovells tax group said:

“Hogan Lovells has a first class global tax practice and hiring Rupert reflects our continuing commitment to grow and strengthen this team. Rupert’s skills and experience in conducting tax disputes speaks for themselves and he is a great fit with our practice, complementing perfectly our indirect tax disputes practice led by Michael Conlon QC. With the high level of scrutiny of tax arrangements in the UK, the demand for tax disputes advice is set to increase. In addition, the ever growing legal structure to Tribunal appeals means the role played by tax disputes lawyers is increasingly significant. We are very excited that Rupert is joining us”.

Rupert Shiers said:

“Hogan Lovells offers both a top performing global litigation practice and first class tax advisory practice which, combined, make the firm a perfect fit for my tax disputes expertise and provide an excellent global platform to really develop a direct tax disputes practice. I am very pleased to be joining the team here in London”.

Shiers holds 1st class law degrees from both Oxford and Cambridge.