The global law firm Jones Day has announced that John Walker has joined the Firm as a Partner in the Tax Practice. He is based in the Firm's Sydney Office.
Mr. Walker is recognized as one of Australia's leading tax lawyers. His practice focuses on the tax aspects of corporate and debt restructurings, mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs, takeovers, funds, structured finance transactions, and unwinds. He also works frequently with the Australian Tax Office in the context of private and class rulings, settling outstanding tax liabilities, industry risk reviews, and tax policy initiatives. Mr. Walker was previously named "Tax Lawyer of the Year" by Lawyers Weekly and is featured in various editions of Chambers Asia-Pacific, Legal 500, International Tax Review's World Tax, and the Tax Directors Handbook.
"John is an outstanding tax lawyer and I'm thrilled to welcome him to Jones Day," said Joe Goldman, Co-Leader of Jones Day's Tax Practice. "He is keenly focused on long-term client relationships, a natural fit for Jones Day, and has an impressive track record of having seen and handled the tax aspects of nearly every type of complex transaction in Australia. Combined with our unmatched tax disputes practice representing multinational clients before the Australian Tax Office, we are well-positioned to provide the highest-level service to our clients in the full range of tax transaction support, counseling, and defense in Australia."
At Jones Day, Mr. Walker joins a global Tax Practice across five continents who bring actionable and integrated advice to clients worldwide.
"Not many practitioners have the wisdom and experience that John brings to Australian and international corporate tax transactions," said Chris Ahern, Partner-in-Charge of Jones Day's Sydney Office. "Along with our Melbourne tax team led by Niv Tadmore, and the Firm's deep experience advising clients on tax disputes before the Australian Tax Office, John's arrival makes our elite tax practice among the very best in the country."
Currently a lecturer in the Sydney University LLM program, Mr. Walker earned his master of laws degree from the University of Sydney and his undergraduate degree in economics and law from Macquarie University.
"Jones Day is widely respected throughout Australia and in the global legal community for its elite tax capabilities on behalf of multinational clients," said Mr. Walker. "Its culture of seamless collaboration across jurisdictions and practices was very attractive to me, I am excited to be part of the global tax team here, and look forward to working with my new colleagues in Sydney and around the world."
With more than 90 lawyers in Australia, Jones Day advises clients in cross-border and domestic M&A and finance work, restructuring, major litigation, arbitration and investigation matters, tax, intellectual property, and competition law, including in the construction, energy, financial, healthcare, and tech industries. The Firm has offices in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney.