James Hamblin - Profile, Special Counsel, Melbourne

I specialise in tax law and have particular expertise in stamp duty, land tax and corporate income tax matters. I provide structuring, due diligence and general tax and stamp duty advisory services to both domestic and offshore clients. My practice spans a range of sectors including commercial real estate, property development, infrastructure, student accommodation and aged care. I also assist clients in their dealings with revenue authorities when seeking rulings and exemptions, and in addressing investigations and disputes.

I enjoy working closely with clients to meet their commercial objectives. I explain complex tax and stamp duty issues in a manner that is easy to understand, and add value by assisting clients structure their investments effectively from a tax and commercial perspective.

Career highlights

Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust – advised on its $1.013 billion acquisition of GIC’s and Frasers Property Australia Pty Limited’s Australian logistics property portfolio
SB&G Hotel Group – assisted with its $500 million hotel portfolio acquisition from Eureka Funds Management, including the InterContinental Melbourne, Crowne Plaza Melbourne, Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach, Crowne Plaza Canberra and Holiday Inn Potts Point
Hitachi Construction Machinery Company Limited – acted in its successful $976.1 million takeover bid for Bradken Limited
Federation Centres – advised on its merger with Novion Property Group, which created Vicinity Centres, Australia's leading fully diversified retail REIT
The University of Melbourne – advised on the development and construction of the 'Carlton Connect Initiative', a precinct comprising an innovation and industry collaboration hub for the University and a graduate student accommodation facility
Regularly advising insurers on M&A tax risks for the purposes of warranty and indemnity insurance policies