Uncover practical knowledge and actionable solutions to ensure smooth, sustainable business transitions for your clients that are tax effective and that the structure aligns with their succession needs. Explore critical topics and gain essential skills and understanding to become the trusted advisor. You will unravel current issues such as vital taxation considerations that drive the structure, ownership structures, succession agreements drafting, leadership transition complications in family businesses and the current M&A market. Truly understand the impacts on your client’s succession questions and your advice.

Presenters

James Gao, Lawyer, Sladen Legal
James is a Lawyer in the Business Law team at Sladen Legal, where he specialises in federal tax matters. Before joining Sladen Legal, James completed a Juris Doctorate at the University of Melbourne and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Economics and History at New York University. Beyond federal tax advice and disputes, James’ areas of practice also include trusts, charities and Foreign Investment Review Board matters. James is also fluent in Mandarin Chinese and his work has been published in the Tax Institute’s Taxation in Australia Journal.


Neil Brydges, Principal Lawyer, Sladen Legal
Neil is a Principal in Sladen Legal’s business law team, with a particular focus on taxation advice and disputes. Taxation law is a complex area. Neil’s aim is to provide technical expertise to clients, commercially applied and in a friendly and approachable manner. Neil’s practice involves advice, audits, disputes, and transactions. The client mix includes both family groups, business enterprises, and professional advisors including tax agents, accountants and financial advisors. Neil is a Chartered Tax Advisor with The Tax Institute and accredited as a specialist in taxation law with the Law Institute of Victoria. Since 2019 Neil has been named one of Australia’s “Best Lawyers” in the practice of tax law by “Best Lawyers”. Neil has also been recognised in Doyles Guide as a recommended tax lawyer since 2021.


Michael Mobberley, Senior Associate, Estate Planning & Probate, Avant Law
Michael Mobberley, is a Senior Associate in Avant Law's Estate Planning & Probate team and holds a Masters in Commercial, Corporate and Taxation Law. He is an Accredited Specialist in Wills & Estates and helps both individuals and businesses safeguard their future through the use of Wills, Powers of Attorney and shareholder/unitholder agreements.


Kirsten Taylor-Martin, National Head - Family Business Consulting, Partner - Private Business Tax & Advisory
Kirsten is a highly experienced family business advisor with a specialization in developing Governance Structures and Succession Plans to ensure the continued growth of family businesses across generations. Her approach is rooted in understanding the unique goals of both the family and the business, tailoring the most suitable structure and reporting mechanisms to achieve these objectives. With extensive international and Australian experience, Kirsten brings the world-best practices to her clients’ governance and succession planning solutions. Her area of expertise encompass Family Office, Family Governance, Tax Restructuring, Superannuation and Commercial advice. Kirsten is an Accredited Specialist Advisor member with Family Business Australia and holds the distinction of being a fellow with the international organization Family Firm Institute. She is a regular international speaker on various aspects of family business and has authored numerous publications. Kirsten also hosts the “Keeping it in the Family” podcast series. Her contributions have earned her media recognition, as she has been featured in outlets like AusBiz, 2GB Radio and SkyNews for her valuable insights and contribution to the family business field, including her work on family business survey.


Steven Perri, Partner, PKF Melbourne
Steven Perri is a Corporate Finance Partner of PKF, based in Melbourne. He has extensive experience in a variety of service lines within the accounting profession developed across more than 20 years in the industry. With a diverse skill set, Steven has worked in the accounting, taxation and business advisory fields as well as insolvency and corporate finance. He has developed particular expertise in the corporate finance field with a specific interest in advisory and review engagements. Steven's experience in the corporate finance area includes: Mergers and acquisitions (M&A), with a focus on divestments or business sales; Succession planning - in getting businesses ready for transactional or generational succession; Transaction Support with a focus on acquisition and IPO due diligence; Assisting clients with sourcing capital and strategic investors; and Valuation services. These engagements have provided Steven with extensive experience in a number of industries having advised on transactions in the following sectors: Food & Beverage; Health including - Pathology, Radiology, Pharmacy, Aged Care, Allied Health, Disability Services and Medical Devices; Audio Visual; Transport; Childcare; Construction (Civil works and Property Development); Technology; Digital and Print Media; IT Consulting; Electrical Contracting and Engineering. Steven has developed his advisory skills to facilitate the provision of a value add approach to servicing clients. In adopting a collaborative approach with other advisers his primary focus is maximizing value to a transaction wherever possible through a commitment to offering expert and professional service. Steven also holds the following qualifications: Bachelor of Commerce (The University of Melbourne); Graduate Diploma in Investment & Finance (SIA); Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ); Registered Tax Agent; Business Valuation Specialist - BVS (CAANZ).


Jane Harris, Senior Associate, Brown Wright Stein Lawyers
Jane Harris CTA is a Senior Associate at Brown Wright Stein Lawyers with over 15 years of experience assisting high net wealth and SME clients with taxation matters. With a background in accounting and business services, Jane provides tax and commercial advice to accountants, small to medium enterprises and private clients. Jane is an admitted Solicitor of the Supreme Court of NSW and holds Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Arts, Juris Doctor and Master of Laws degrees from the University of Sydney.


Stuart Le Cornu, Partner, Fordham
Having worked in tax and accounting since 1997, Stuart Le Cornu has a wealth of experience with helping business owners to achieve their financial and business goals, including acquisitions and sales transactions. He also assists companies to meet their objectives with strategic planning initiatives, financial planning and taxation planning, with a keen focus on international tax. Being one of Fordham Group’s Tax Advisory specialists, he is of course also an expert in assisting with ATO audits and risk reviews! In fact, Stuart is so good at what he does, that he presents on taxation of trusts, Division 7A and small business Capital Gains Tax matters. Stuart's approach to tax planning commences from day one. He takes the time to thoroughly review existing structures, interrelationships between entities, location of assets, liabilities and IP, history capital gains cost bases, loan accounts, previous tax strategies and future plans. By June in every year, there are no surprises. Just a simple reassurance that everything remains on track.


Sophie Cohen, Director, Aintree Group Legal
Sophie is a director of law firm Aintree Group Legal (recently merged with Loch Legal), delivering estate planning, commercial and property legal solutions ‘with heart’. Sophie has over 25 years of experience as a lawyer, business advisor and leader, giving her a broad commercial and legal perspective. She is passionate about delivering high quality, practical and effective estate planning, business succession and asset protection strategies, to empower clients to realise their dreams and goals, solve the problems that keep them awake at night, and bring them peace of mind. She believes that connecting with clients on a personal level and collaborating with clients’ professional advisers including accountants, wealth managers and other lawyers, is key to providing integrated and holistic outcomes for clients. At home, you will find Sophie spending time with her partner and 4 teenage children and keeping active through running, swimming, and bike riding.


Lindzee-Kate Tagliaferri, Superannuation Manager, Cooper Partners
Lindzee-Kate is an experienced qualified adviser and an authorised representative under Cooper Partners Financial Services AFSL. She is a CPA with other 10 years experience working in various SMSF advice areas such as family separation, estate planning, and SMSF establishments. Lindzee-Kate is highly skilled in the preparation of SMSF tax returns, BAS, IAS, TBAR and financial reports. She is also experienced in the creation and implementation of various strategies such as health checking SMSFs for compliance of SIS Act and regulations and assisting clients with remedying any breaches. Superannuation is not only Lindzee’s specialty; it is also her passion.