MinterEllison today announced it has made two high profile lateral appointments to strengthen the firm’s offer in the key sectors of international tax, and construction & property advisory.
The appointment of economist and tax expert Craig Silverwood, formerly of EY, as a Corporate Tax Partner based in Melbourne, and Canberra-based construction and property legal expert, Partner Ben Fuller, who joins from HDY, will significantly enhance MinterEllison’s ability to offer end-to-end advice and solutions in these key areas of growing client demand.
“We are delighted to welcome Craig and Ben to MinterEllison today”
Mary Lyras, Chief Talent Officer at MinterEllison
“In addition to the specific expertise they bring, these two appointments are also about extending the firm’s offer of delivering innovative multi-disciplinary client solutions.”
Ms Lyras said the firm’s recent growth had been achieved through offering quality services and outstanding new talent well as developing the existing capability within the firm.
“Investing in talent from the external market is a key strategy with both these new lateral Partners bringing significant specialist knowledge and experience,” she said.
“Craig’s outstanding track record will enhance our international tax advice practice – he brings significant value chain analysis, business function analysis and transfer pricing and international tax capability to the international tax solutions already provided by MinterEllison", Ms Lyras added.
Mr Silverwood said he is delighted to join a firm of the high calibre of MinterEllison and he recognises there is strong demand for tax advice in respect of international transactions, structures and funding.
“It's an exciting challenge to have the opportunity to bring my knowledge and experience to MinterEllison given the ATO’s increased focus on cross border structures and transactions,” he said. "The intense focus on international tax arising from the OECD’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting policies, developments in transfer pricing laws, and new laws like the Diverted Profit Tax and Multinational Anti-Avoidance Law make the international tax area one of key demand.”
Turning to the firm’s second lateral appointment, Mary Lyras noted that Ben Fuller has developed a leading reputation in the private, government and education sectors, often retained where innovative solutions are required, where emerging areas of law are engaged, and where complex and bespoke transaction documentation drafting is required.
“Ben specialises in construction and property precinct development projects, commercial and retail leasing, property acquisition and disposals, land use and development projects, planning, environment, compulsory acquisition, and valuation law,” said Ms Lyras. “As a lateral appointment, he brings significant knowledge of the construction and property sector and an outstanding track record in working with both government and private clients including with Department of Defence, Australian National University (ANU) and Geocon.”
Mr Fuller said he was delighted to be joining MinterEllison's Canberra office and recognises the firm’s reputation as a leading national and international firm with a growing strength in its construction and property presence in the Canberra market.
“MinterEllison has a strong focus on delivering an integrated construction and property development offering and I feel I am ideally placed to provide these services to the Canberra market,” he said. “The firm’s local offering is backed by the weight of the firm’s broader reputation across sectors.”
