Expertise

Michael has over 25 years' experience in revenue law. As a qualified chartered accountant, he was a tax partner in one of the top four international accounting firms. More recently, Michael completed his legal training and joined our firm as a lawyer.

He joined our firm to advise on a wide range of taxation matters involving clients with diverse commercial profiles, including small to medium enterprises, and large national and international companies. His clients operate across various industries, including retail, property, construction and finance.

His expertise includes private equity, trust law and corporate reorganisations, as well as revenue law and in particular: taxation of companies, trusts, individuals and charitable organisations; tax controversies, audits and investigations; tax risk assessment and management; goods and services tax and transfer pricing.

Michael is currently working to expand the tax practice of our firm, incorporating existing expertise in areas including tax litigation, corporate advisory, not for profit, private equity, banking and finance, and property. 

Experience

Michael's recent experience includes:

• advising on the tax implications for the reorganisation of the property portfolio of a national retail chain
• advising on the tax structure for holding Australian investments acquired by non-resident private equity firms
• advising major charities on tax issues impacting upon their tax exempt status where group re-organisations are planned
• advising institutional and large private investors on the consequences of Capital Gains Tax where substantial redevelopment of existing retail and commercial complexes are proposed

• advising on the harmonisation of provisions contained in debt instruments with income tax law, used to finance corporate acquisitions.  

Pro bono and Community Work

Michael is a past national treasurer for the United Israel Appeal of Australia.

He was also national convenor of the Family Business Council of Australia and a member of the King David Parents Association.

Qualifications

Diploma of Accounting (Prahran College, now Deakin University)

Diploma of Tax Law (Monash University)

Juris Doctor (Law) (the University of Melbourne)

Master of Property & Construction (the University of Melbourne)

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practise

Victoria

Publications

Federal government reforms concerning charities and not-for-profits   7 February 2012

Commissioner ordered to pay indemnity costs   15 November 2011

Case Note: Macquarie Bank Limited v Commissioner of Taxation [2011] FCA 1076   21 October 2011

Directors now automatically liable for SGC   19 October 2011

Legal professional privilege and accountants: How confidential are your 'confidential' communications?   6 October 2011

Proposed Victorian landholder duty model   26 September 2011

Cornwall Stodart Tax Digest   November 2010

Cornwall Stodart Tax Digest   April 2010

Cornwall Stodart Tax Digest   March 2010

Cornwall Stodart Tax Digest   February 2010