David Pratley

David Pratley is a partner at HWL Ebsworth. David has previously worked as a tax partner at Minter Ellison from January 2010 to December 2017. During their time there, the tax practice was consistently ranked as market leader in client and peer surveys including Chambers, Legal 500 and World Tax. David advised on significant and complex transactions in M&A, finance (debt, equity, hybrids & derivatives), structuring, international, compensation/settlement payments, funds, tax controversy (reviews, audits, disputes, negotiation and settlements), legal drafting, due diligence, establishing business in Australia, incentive plans, start-ups, mid-market, disruption, governance and risk management.

Pratley has experience across a broad range of sectors including technology, banking, private equity, financial services, hedge funds, pension funds, sovereign funds, property (residential and commercial), communication, renewable energy, securitisation, education, agribusiness, turnaround, restructuring and insolvency. David is the only law firm member of the Australian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association Ltd (AVCAL) Tax Working Group.

David has been referred to as the 'go to' tax partner' nationally for banking and finance. Some of the deals they have worked on include acting for a major global banking group on the $1.5 billion sale of its Australian asset finance business and corporate loan portfolio to a Big 4 Australian Bank; one of the world's largest alternative investment managers on US$1.1 billion acquisition of an education group; and a major Australian bank on US$15 billion programme for issuance of Medium Term Notes, Euro-commercial paper and other debt instruments. David has also worked on the first ever issue of bonds on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange by an Australian subsidiary of a Chinese state-owned enterprise outside the banking sector (US$500 million).

Most recently, they have been involved in a significant tax dispute/negotiation with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) involving cutting edge issues forming part of the OECD's Base Erosion and Profit Shifting Project (BEPS). David is also currently advising a leading Australian Property fund on $400+ million sale of stake in landmark Sydney office tower.

David Pratley completed their Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Economics (Accounting Major) at Macquarie University. David then went on to complete a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice and a CA Program at the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. David is also certified by the High Court of Australia, The Tax Institute, and the Supreme Court of New South Wales as a solicitor and barrister.

David Pratley reports to Juan Martinez, Managing Partner. They work with Brad Swebeck - Partner, Helen Kavadias - Partner, and Katharine Philp - Partner.