Charities
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : Australia
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+61 2 9225 5000Chambers Review
Herbert Smith Freehills is well respected for having specialist sector and statutory knowledge, backed by an outstanding range of expertise spread throughout the wider, full-service firm. The team advises extensively on structuring, tax and governance issues and is further noted for its handling of complex regulatory mandates. The firm's diverse clientele comprises both established and start-up charities, with a particularly strong offering for philanthropic foundations and trusts. The team is also well placed to advise charities headquartered in other jurisdictions on the establishment of Australian operations.
Work Highlights
- Herbert Smith Freehills advised the New South Wales government on the establishment and tax endorsements for an historic museum, the Sydney Heritage Foundation.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Herbert Smith Freehills does not overly complicate advice which is extremely helpful when communicating the advice to stakeholders."
"Herbert Smith Freehills does not overly complicate advice which is extremely helpful when communicating the advice to stakeholders."
Notable Practitioners
Alice Macdougall heads the practice based out of the firm's Melbourne office. She advises across the board on charity-related matters, offering particularly focused expertise on taxation issues impacting the sphere.
"Alice is a joy to work with and extremely knowledgeable. She is a great problem solver."
Marla Cowen is based in the firm's Melbourne office and has a strong background in the tax and government sectors. In addition to assisting not-for-profits on tax issues, she is recognised for her expertise in charity establishment, governance and regulation.
"Marla was very responsive to all of our needs and questions and delivered exactly what we required in a timely manner."