JWS expands tax offering with new partner

Johnson Winter & Slattery (JWS) has expanded its tax offering with the appointment of tax expert and chartered accountant Alison Haines as partner.

Haines joined the firm’s Melbourne-based tax team from Carlton & United Breweries (CUB), where she was head of tax. Prior to CUB, Alison worked in the taxation division of Ernst & Young.

In a statement, the national firm said that Haines brings “extensive experience across all areas of corporate taxation, particularly tax risk management and governance, strategic acquisitions and divestments, and transfer pricing.”

The firm also said that Haines’ appointment expands its ability to offer clients an end-to-end tax service for their transactions, disputes, and general business activities.

“Johnson Winter & Slattery has one of Australia’s leading practices for complex tax advice and disputes,” said Haines. “Its unique business model offers a higher ratio of senior lawyers handling clients’ work, which is all the more important in an area like tax – where experience, expertise, and judgment matter.”

“Alison will broaden the diversity of skills within our tax practice and offer our clients the opportunity to engage a tax partner intimately acquainted with client perspectives, expectations and needs at a senior level,” said Peter Slatter, managing partner at JWS. “From a growth perspective, her experience as a corporate tax manager will enable us to expand our offering, particularly in the area of contentious tax matters. It gives us a unique position in the market, opening new doors and opportunities for the firm.”