David Johnston

David Johnston is an experienced tax lawyer, with a particular focus on mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, New Zealand’s treatment of inbound and outbound investment and tax disputes with the Inland Revenue. David also has considerable experience of advising on the tax treatment of funds and employee/management share plans.

David has acted on a variety of transactions, including conducting tax due diligence, providing transactional tax advice, and reviewing and negotiating transaction/legal documentation. David regularly assists clients with their interactions with the Inland Revenue, including making voluntary disclosures, obtaining tax rulings and during tax enquiries. David has appeared in the Taxation Review Authority and the High Court.

David assists a range of clients, from significant multi-nationals to start-up companies. He has broad industry exposure and has provided tax advice to companies in a number of different sectors, including private equity, banking, insurance, agriculture, forestry, retail, pharmaceutical and technology.