HSF welcomes Greenwoods trio to partnership

Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has welcomed three tax partners from Greenwoods to its partnership, marking the start of what the firm described as ambitious growth plans for its commercial tax offering.

Toby Eggleston and Ryan Leslie join HSF’s Melbourne office, while Nick Heggart operates from the Perth office.

Eggleston specialises in general corporate and M&A taxation matters. He advises clients on tax due diligence, formation of private equity and venture capital funds, structuring investments, capital management strategies, and structuring management and employee incentives.

He is a member of the legal and tax committee for the Australian Investment Council and Employee Ownership Australia. Moreover, he was inducted as a fellow of the Tax Institute.

He has drafted submissions to the Department of Treasury on matters relating to private equity, venture capital and employee ownership schemes. He has also presented at seminars and published papers on inbound investment and private equity.

Leslie has broad experience advising clients on income tax aspects of corporate, international and trust matters. His tax practice particularly focuses on M&A, internal restructuring and dispute resolution in the infrastructure sector.

He has appeared and represented clients before the Supreme Court of Victoria and the High Court of Australia.

Aside from his legal work, he taught Master of Laws program courses at the University of Melbourne. He has also written and presented numerous technical papers.

Heggart has extensive expertise in a wide array of taxation matters, including income tax, stamp duty, and resource rent tax and royalties. He provides strategic tax advice to clients across the energy and resources and property sectors.

He is a member of the energy and resources working group of the Australian Taxation Office. In addition, he sits on the state revenue liaison committee of the WA Commissioner of State Revenue.

He has received recognition from Best Lawyers, Legal 500, and Doyle’s Guide for his knowledge and expertise in taxation law.

HSF corporate managing partner Carolyn Pugsley said that she was pleased to have Eggleston, Leslie, and Heggart on board, describing them as “exceptional lawyers and leading experts in their field.”

“Many of our clients and our partners already have long-standing relationships with Toby, Nick and Ryan and are looking forward to continuing to work with them,” Pugsley said.

She confirmed that the three new partners will work closely with other tax experts, including partners Hugh Paynter and Jinny Chaimungkalanont, throughout the firm’s global network to meet clients’ needs.