Chris Smailes

Chris Smailes is a Director at Smailes Krawitz, bringing extensive expertise in tax, trusts, and estates law. He provides comprehensive legal services, including tax advice, objections, and appeals, as well as negotiating with the ATO. Chris also specialises in transfer duty, payroll tax, and land tax matters, working closely with the OSR. He advises high net worth individuals, family offices, and corporate groups on business and personal succession planning, offering related tax, commercial, and corporate advice. Chris is adept at handling estates, including contested wills, trusts, and acting for trustees and beneficiaries in various structures. His commercial law skills extend to advising directors and shareholders of private companies, and he is well-versed in drafting necessary documentation. Chris's clientele primarily consists of high net worth families and corporate entities, often referred by financial advisers, accountants, and other legal professionals. He collaborates effectively with family lawyers, financial planners, and peers in the legal field. Before his current role, Chris led the EY Oceania Private Client Law team. He was also the Managing Partner and co-founder of the award-winning boutique tax law firm Norton & Smailes, acquired by EY in 2016. Recognised annually in Doyle's Legal Awards as a leader in tax and wills and estates law, he continues to contribute to the field through regular conference presentations and contributions to the Thomson Reuters Weekly Tax Bulletin. Chris holds a Bachelor of Jurisprudence and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Australia and is admitted to practise in the Supreme Court of Western Australia, the Federal Court of Australia, and the High Court of Australia. He is also a Chartered Tax Adviser. His career began as a tax partner at Clayton Utz before co-founding Norton & Smailes, which became Perth's largest specialist tax practice.