Maddocks

Background

Prior to joining private legal practice, Carmen was a Deputy Director with the Australian Government Solicitor (AGS) where she headed the Melbourne tax practice and was responsible for managing the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)'s client relationship nationally. During this time Carmen was responsible for managing complex and significant cases for the ATO in the Federal and High Courts many of which are now part of the framework for taxation law in Australia.

Prior to joining Maddocks, Carmen was a partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal where she was leader of the national Tax Litigation/Dispute Resolution practice. Carmen instigated the practice of strategically managing Co-operative Compliance Reviews and Audits. She also provided advice and representation in response to the ATO exercising its access powers.

Legal Expertise

  • Administrative Law
  • Dispute Resolution
  • General anti-avoidance provisions of the Income Tax Assessment Act
  • GST
  • Tax Litigation

Relevant Experience

  • Conducting disputes in the general anti-avoidance provisions of the Income Tax Assessment Act, transfer pricing and GST
  • Advising clients on managing their relationships and disputes with the ATO
  • Advising high wealth individuals and corporations in the large business segments on a wide range of taxation issues particularly in the context of the large business audits and compliance risk reviews conducted by the ATO
  • Conducting Tax Appeals litigation on behalf of these clients in the Federal Court and in the Commonwealth Administrative Appeals Tribunal
  • Conducting a long running audit (recently completed) on behalf of a State government concerning transitional taxation issues arising out of the privatisation of one of the State government's businesses