Unlock the complexities of Div 7A loans in family law with expert insights, fresh perspectives, and practical strategies. Get a fresh look at how to identify Div 7A loans, analyse financials, and assess their impact on property settlements. Gain a valuer’s perspective, explore new court decisions, and discover how to use Div 7A to your client’s advantage. This hands-on workshop, featuring cases updates and worked examples, will equip you with the skills to navigate Div 7A issues effectively in family law matters.

Presenters

Michael Fellows, Barrister, NQ Family Law Chambers
Michael Fellows has been a lawyer since 1981 with an extensive practice as a barrister in family law and related jurisdictions for more than 15 years. He is on the board of directors of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music Cathedral Organist, St James Cathedral Townsville. Michael is a Member of the Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators.


Lisa Lahey, Partner|Family and Relationship Law, HopgoodGanim Lawyers
Lisa is a Partner in our Family and Relationship law practice with over 25 years of experience advising on all facets of family law, including complex property and children’s matters. Lisa is a trained Collaborative Law professional and her interest is in problem solving and helping her clients navigate difficult times by finding suitable options for them to resolve their family law matter with a minimal level of conflict, where conflict does not serve their purpose. Lisa genuinely cares about the outcomes her clients seek and believes a good result is one where her clients can reflect on the process knowing they made the right choices. Lisa takes great pride in the level of service she offers and the feedback she receives from her clients fittingly describes a lawyer who is very respectful of individual circumstances, prompt to respond, straight talking and highly strategic in driving the outcomes her clients desire.


Chris Ardagna, Partner – Tax Consulting, Pitcher Partners
Chris Ardagna is a partner in the tax consulting group of Pitcher Partners Sydney and has been advising on tax issues affecting large privately-, owned businesses and listed companies for over 15 years. Chris re-joined the firm in December 2018, having previously been a partner from 2007 - 2011. Prior to re-joining the firm, he was a tax partner at a boutique law firm for a number of years. Chris has experience in advising clients on a broad range of tax issues, including tax efficient structuring for investing in and out of Australia, corporate reorganisation strategies and cross-border employment issues. In addition, Chris has considerable experience dealing with disputes with the revenue authorities, including managing reviews and audits, seeking private rulings, objecting to assessments, appealing objection decisions and settling disputes with the revenue authorities. Recent examples of engagements include: Structuring of property development projects; Structuring of a proposed merger between Australian and US businesses in the IT industry; Capital gains tax and tax consolidations implications of corporate restructures ; Structuring of property financing arrangements; Resolution of long-running dispute with the Commissioner of Taxation involving various international tax and administrative law issues. Chris has also been working with high wealth families and privately held groups in relation to business succession and estate planning matters for almost 10 years. His problem-solving skills and practical approach, together with his tax knowledge, enable him to quickly understand the needs of his clients and provide them with commercially focused and tax efficient solutions. Having been involved in a number of family disputes arising from both a lack of planning for generational change and poorly drafted estate plans, Chris draws from that experience to ensure the appropriate estate and succession plans are in place for clients. This experience extends to: Structuring and managing inter-generational wealth transfer during the principal's lifetime; Structuring new and updating existing estate plans including the use of testamentary trusts ; Business succession planning including structuring buy-sell agreements, shareholder/unitholder agreements, and employee equity arrangements ; General asset protection strategies; Resolving disputes involving trust and estate assets and entitlements both through negotiation and litigation.


Wendy Miller, Special Counsel, Damien Greer
Wendy Miller has been an accredited specialist in family law since 2001. She has practised solely in family law since 1996. Wendy has had experience across the whole spectrum of family law but her main practice now is in financial matters. One of her goals is to develop a practice in family law that specializes in tax and estate and business succession planning issues. Specialties include: taxation issues arising in family law situations.


Jennifer Veitch CA, Director, Forensic Accounting, Pilot Chartered Accountants
Jennifer has a commercial services background and continues to build her experience by participating in a range of assignments including business valuations, tracing exercises and commercial litigation. Jennifer also supports the Directors in industry specific valuations, independent expert reports and financial modelling.


Evangeline Athanasiou, Partner, Ferrior Athanasiou & Kakulas
Evangeline is a senior practitioner with over 20 years’ experience as a lawyer. Evangeline prides herself in guiding clients through the complex world of family law in a firm but compassionate way. Evangeline’s work includes both parenting issues and financial disputes. Evangeline has extensive experience in relation to both negotiated settlements and Court proceedings. She is passionate about family law and genuinely cares about the wellbeing of her clients. Since 2010 Evangeline has chosen to specialise in family law. Prior to this she spent over a decade working at top tier law firm, Freehills. This gave her a unique insight into complex litigation matters and difficult negotiations. This skill set now pays off into many favourable settlements for her clients and has shaped her into a powerful negotiator.