Jennifer practises in taxation, equity, superannuation, charity, commercial and administrative law.  With 29 years’ experience at the Bar, she is a trusted advisor to a range of corporate, government and not-for-profit clients.

Jennifer is well known for her clear, concise and effective advice in relation to the interpretation of contracts, trust deeds and corporate constitutions.  She has obtained court approval for trust deed amendments and cy-près  applications.  She also advises in relation to difficult trust disputes, perpetuity issues and complex superannuation fund issues.

In addition to general income tax and R&D matters, she has extensive experience in advising in relation to GST, FBT, and State taxes such as payroll and land taxes.  She has been consistently recognised as a leading tax silk in Doyles Guide.

She also has a substantial equity practice in the not-for-profit sector and has assisted numerous not-for-profit entities to obtain or retain their tax concession charity status.

Jennifer has acted as an expert determiner and is a consultant on the ATO Public Advice and Guidance Panel.

Jennifer has been a silk for over 19 years and is the immediate past President of the Australian Bar Association and a past President of the Victorian Bar, the Tax Bar Association and Australian Women Lawyers.  She is also Chair of the Law Council Charities and Not-for-Profits committee, and a member of the Melbourne Law School Advisory Council and Melbourne Tax Masters Advisory Committee.  Jennifer is a Senior Fellow at the Melbourne Law School, teaching in the Tax Masters Program.  She is Convenor of the Women Barristers Association.

Jennifer was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia on 8 June 2020 for significant service to the law, to the legal profession, and to women lawyers.

*Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation

Areas of Practice

Cases

• Family First New Zealand v Attorney-General [2020] NZCA 366
• Dental Corporation Pty Ltd v David Moffet [2020] FCAFC 18
• Clarke v Ebdon [2020] SASC 67
• Wilson v Commonwealth of Australia [2019] NTD 51/2018
• Commonwealth of Australia v Essendon Airport Pty Ltd [2019] FCA 1411
• Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry (2018)
• Rotary Club of Melbourne v Commissioner of State Revenue [2018] VSC 699
• Kamirice v Commissioner of State Revenue (2017) VCAT 2087
• In the matter of the Salvation Army (Vic) Property Trust [2017] VSC 553
• Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman v Commissioner of State Revenue [2017] VSC 286
• CEPU v Australia Post [2017] FCA 1091
• Waubra v ACNC [2017] AATA 2424
• Grain Growers Corporation v Chief Commissioner of State Revenue [2016] NSWCA 359
• Law Institute of Victoria v Commissioner of State Revenue [2015] VSC 604
• Commissioner of Taxation v CBRA Ltd [2013] FCAFC 140
• Chamber of Commerce & Industry WA v CSR [2012] WASAT 146
• Commissioner of Taxation v Multiflex Pty Ltd [2011] FCAFC 142
• National Jet Systems v Commissioner of Taxation [2011] AATA 766
• Central Equity Limited v Commissioner of Taxation [2011] FCA 908
• Roy Morgan Research Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation [2011] HCA 35
• ExxonMobil Superannuation Plan v Esso Australia Pty Ltd [2010] VSC 357
• Commissioner of Taxation v Swansea Services Pty Ltd [2009] FCA 402
• Commissioner of Taxation v Word Investments [2008] HCA 55
• Commissioner of Taxation v Reliance Carpet Co Pty Limited [2008] HCA 22
• Slade Bloodstock v Commissioner of Taxation [2007] FCAFC 173