Tax Controversy Partner Angela Wood (plus team) joins KPMG Australia from Maddocks
KPMG Australia has announced the hiring of senior lawyers from Maddocks’ tax controversy practice.
The move represents a significant investment by KPMG Legal and Tax Services and confirms its position as the premier practice in Australia for tax controversy services.
The team joining KPMG is led by Angela Wood, a senior tax controversy partner at Maddocks. Ross Hocking and Angelina Lagana, also senior tax controversy lawyers at the firm, have decided to come to KPMG with Angela. The team have worked with each other for over 10 years, building what has become one of the leading tax controversy teams in Australia, with significant expertise in transfer pricing.
Nationally, with the recruitment of the new team, KPMG Legal and Tax Services will grow to a practice of nine partners and special counsel, specializing in tax controversy services, with dedicated offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Gary Wingrove, CEO of KPMG Australia, said “This team hire reflects KPMG’s investment-led growth agenda, and demonstrates our commitment to investing across all parts of our business. Companies are increasingly demanding specialist expertise and by meeting their needs we will achieve growth both for our own firm and for our clients. This recruitment will confirm KPMG’s position as the premier tax controversy practice in Australia.”
Rosheen Garnon, KPMG National Managing Partner – Tax, said: “We are seeing increasing interest in tax controversy, and in particular disputes with a cross-border element, including transfer pricing issues where the team has substantial expertise. The KPMG Legal and Tax Services practice has expanded rapidly over the past 12 months attracting leading professionals and the recruitment of renowned experts such as Angela, Ross and Angelina will give it real further momentum.”
She added: “Unlike other professionals in the field, who typically only act for taxpayers, Angela, Ross and Angelina offer clients a distinctive proposition and perspective, having represented the ATO for a number of years in leading tax cases. Applying this experience, they can offer clients a unique insight into how to manage their interaction with the ATO and formulate the most appropriate strategy to avert or achieve early resolution of any tax dispute.
“Joining KPMG will enable Angela, Ross and Angelina to work together with specialist tax partners to deliver complete solutions to clients, under one roof, whether it is preparing for tax audits, dispute resolution, or, if necessary, assisting with representation in court.”
KPMG has a focused growth strategy offering niche legal services focusing on tax. Tax dispute resolution is an area the firm has targeted for particular attention, as companies are increasingly looking for specialist advice to prevent and resolve tax audits and disputes.
Rosheen Garnon added: “A recent survey by KPMG International showed that 75 percent of tax executives globally were involved in a tax examination or dispute with a tax authority. In Australia the firm is seeing a rise in disputes with a cross-border element, which is why we are busy recruiting specialist tax lawyers who can help companies operating both domestically and internationally. The Maddocks lawyers joining will be of tremendous assistance in this respect.”