Herbert Smith Freehills hires three tax partners

Herbert Smith Freehills hires three tax partners

As most of Greenwoods' associates join Big Four giant, the international firm plans to build a 'leading tax offering'

As part of its expansion into Australia, Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has hired a trio of tax partners from Greenwoods, a local tax advisory firm that was bought early 2022 by PwC, US.

Earlier this month, around 65 employees from Greenwoods, including 15 partners, made their way to PwC, following the move. Toby Eggleston and Ryan Leslie have joined HSF in Melbourne, while Nick Heggart has moved to PwC in Perth.

Toby Eggleston is an experienced tax practitioner with a focus on private equity and venture capital and has over 20 years' experience advising clients on corporate and merger taxation matters. As an associate at Freehills before moving to Greenwoods in 2005, he joined the firm in 2000.

Prior to joining Greenwoods ten years ago, Leslie worked for HSF. He became a partner in 2020 after joining the firm. With specific expertise in M&A, institutional restructuring, and infrastructure disputes, he specializes in income tax matters for corporations, international entities, and trusts.

His expertise covers most areas of taxation, including income tax, stamp duty, and resource rent taxes and royalties, with an emphasis on energy and resources and property. Heghart was a partner at Freehills before joining Greenwoods in 2012.

Described as an expert in their fields by Caroline Pugsley, HSF's managing partner for corporate, these new hires are "exceptional lawyers".

Several of our clients and partners have long-standing relationships with Toby, Nick and Ryan, and they look forward to working with them and continuing to do so," she said. The trio will work alongside the firm's other Australian tax specialists, Hugh Paynter and Jinny Chaimungkalanont, and others throughout the company.

Among the new members of Greenwoods is specialist counsel Tristan Boyd, senior associate Louise Van Wyk and senior associate Alistair Haskett who relocated to Melbourne and solicitor Dan Miles.

Hebert Smith Freehills' executive partner, Australia and Asia, said: "This will be our signature offering in Australian tax advice where we provide the depth and breadth of expertise that our clients expect from a full-service firm such as Hebert Smith Freehills.

We will continue to grow our practice aggressively through these appointments, Pike added. Taking into account the new addition to its tax lawyers, HSF has 21 tax lawyers across its three offices, including six partners, in Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney.

As early as February, PwC Australia acquired Greenwoods, ending their 1985-year relationship with HSF.

According to PwC, 15 partners and 50 staff members from Greenwoods will join the firm mid-year, with Greenwoods' managing partner, Manuel Makas, citing the opportunity to join a global network and the broader diverse services its clients could receive as part of the company's engagement with the firm.

It was earlier this month that HSF's former global CEO Mark Rigotti joined the Australian Institute of Company Directors. After serving as HSF's first sole global CEO between 2014 and 2020, Rigotti retired from the company's partnership in a part-time advisory role.