Minter Ellison today announced that William (Bill) Thompson has been appointed the new Managing Partner of the firm's Brisbane office. He takes over from Ross Landsberg, who returns to full-time practice as a major projects and construction lawyer.
Mr Thompson commenced with the firm as an Articled Clerk and was appointed a partner in 1982. He has led the Taxation practice in Brisbane for more than 20 years and is recognised as one of Australia's leading tax advisers. He will continue to practise during his term as Managing Partner, retaining also the position of Queensland Tax practice head.
Commenting on the appointment, Chief Executive Partner John Weber said Bill Thompson was well qualified to take over the management of one of Minter Ellison's key offices. "Bill is a Queenslander born and bred. He understands the local market and knows the business of the firm in Brisbane very well, having worked in his capacity as a tax advisor with clients across all practice areas of the firm.
"Importantly, he has an astute understanding of what clients want and how to deliver value. These skills will stand us in good stead. I look forward to working with him as part of Minter Ellison's management team," Mr Weber said.
Mr Thompson, who assumes his new position on 1 July 2012,said he was delighted to take the reins of a firm voted by clients this year as Queensland's Best Professional Services Firm. "Our firm has been an integral part of the Queensland business community for almost 120 years. We've worked with clients in this market through the good times and the lean times, always innovating in those industry sectors that are key to Queensland's strong economic growth – infrastructure, energy and resources, financial services, health and aged care, and property development, " he said.
John Weber also paid tribute to Ross Landsberg's significant contribution during his five-year term as Brisbane Managing Partner. "Ross steps down at a time of record performance in Brisbane. He has overseen a period of tremendous growth and development for the Brisbane office. The partnership acknowledges and thanks him for the very important role he has played and for his contribution to the firm more broadly through his membership of the Board and of the management team."
Mr Thompson was educated at the University of Queensland and the London School of Economics – BCom (Queensland, 1976), LLB (Hons) (Queensland, 1979) , LLM (LSE, 1981). He is a past Chairman of the Taxation Institute of Australia (Queensland Division), a former National Chairman of the Law Council of Australia's Tax Committee, a past member of the Executive of the International Bar Association's Taxes Section, and a former member of the Minter Ellison Board.
He has been a trusted advisor to the Queensland coal industry since the late 1980s, advising on the creation of the Queensland Resources Council, the Queensland Coal Industry Super Fund, the Queensland Mines Rescue Service and, in recent years, the Coal 21 Fund.