Michael McLaughlin

Michael McLaughlin is the Principal at West Garbutt, bringing extensive expertise in transaction taxation, structuring, and litigious disputes with the Australian Taxation Office. Michael has successfully acted for both publicly listed entities and large private groups, handling intricate buy side and sell side transactions, major restructures, and corporate dealings. His role often involves liaising with the ATO, engaging in negotiation processes, and obtaining clearances through the ruling and early engagement systems. Michael has a notable record of instructing in successful appeals for taxpayers before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and the Federal Court, and he has been involved in special leave applications to the High Court. His comprehensive approach covers all stages of the dispute process, from the preparation and lodgement of objections to representing taxpayers in arbitration. Michael is recognised in the Doyles Guide as one of the leading tax lawyers in Queensland from 2019 to 2025. He is also acknowledged in Best Lawyers in Australia for his work in tax law since 2021. Michael is a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia, and he is an active member of the Queensland Law Society and the Taxation Committee of the Business Law Section of the Law Council of Australia. Apart from practising law, Michael contributes valuable insights on current taxation matters through publications and presentations, covering topics such as superannuation guarantee shortfalls and the ATO's focus on private wealth groups. His academic background includes a Bachelor of Laws, a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, and a Master of Science in Financial Mathematics from The University of Queensland. Before his current position, Michael gained a wealth of experience as a Senior Manager at PwC and EY, a Senior Associate at HWL Ebsworth Lawyers, and as a Lawyer in the Commercial and Tax Group at McCullough Robertson. His journey in the legal field began as a trainee at Ernst & Young, and he has consistently built on his expertise through a diverse range of roles and responsibilities.