The firm expects the demand for tax advice to grow following post-pandemic budget repairs
Ashurst has announced the expansion of its tax offering in Sydney by hiring tax lawyers Colin Little and Vanja Podinic.
Little has over 25 years of experience as a tax practitioner. He has assisted public and private sector clients in resolving complex disputes, including audit negotiation, resolution, and litigation. He has advised clients on managing tax risk on significant transactions and has successfully resolved disputes over a broad range of taxes.
Before joining Ashurst, Little was a partner at Deloitte. He has also held senior roles in prominent law firms and the Australian government solicitor's office.
"Throughout my career, I have seen that my clients' needs are international in scale, and they require assistance resolving tax and legal disputes across multiple jurisdictions and legal disciplines," Little said. "Ashurst's global footprint places the firm in one of the best positions to advise on matters across the tax dispute lifecycle. The firm's strong offering in corporate law, dispute resolution and tax bring compelling advantages for clients with complex needs."
Podinic has also joined Ashurst from Deloitte. She is an expert in tax controversy, focusing on income tax and transfer pricing. She has over 14 years of experience in Australia and the UK, advising clients across various sectors, including technology, mining and pharmaceuticals. She has assisted international clients with managing and resolving complex reviews and audits and with evidentiary issues concerning local and foreign tax authorities.
Podinic said she looks forward to drawing on Ashurst's broad range of practices to deliver innovative and collaborative legal solutions to her clients. "I am delighted to join Ashurst, which provides an ideal global platform to grow my practice serving clients across the entire tax disputes lifecycle – from transaction stage to audit defence and through to litigation."
Little and Podinic have joined Ashurst as partners in the firm's Sydney office, focusing on tax disputes and helping clients manage tax risk and governance frameworks.
The firm's Australian tax practice head, Costa Koutsis, expects the demand for complex tax advice to grow continuously because tax offices are conducting audits and reviews following the government's implementation of post-pandemic budget repairs. The hiring of tax experts Little and Podinic is part of the firm's plan to grow its tax practice in Sydney.
"We are thrilled to welcome Colin and Vanja to Ashurst. With their combined significant experience in tax controversy work, Colin and Vanja will help grow the firm's existing offering to clients in Australia and abroad," Koutsis said.
