Julie Van der Velde

Julie Van der Velde is the founder and principal of VdV Legal, a prominent legal practice based in Adelaide, specialising in taxation and revenue law. With a profound understanding of business operations, Julie is dedicated to achieving practical commercial outcomes for her clients, which include businesses and their advisers. Her areas of expertise encompass trusts, intergenerational transfer, business succession, estate planning, and superannuation, with her experience spanning sectors such as professional and financial services, property development, not-for-profit entities, and primary production. Prior to establishing VdV Legal, Julie gained significant experience with various accounting and legal firms, notably serving as an Associate Director at an international accounting firm. Here, she contributed to submissions to Treasury on modifications to the anti-avoidance provisions of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and the reform of trust taxation structures. This role honed her technical acumen and commercial insight, ensuring her legal opinions are both clear and commercially beneficial. Julie’s leadership extends to her roles within the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners in South Australia, where she served on the committee for a decade, including terms as Co-Chair and National Chair of STEP Australia. A Chartered Tax Adviser and Fellow of both the Tax Institute and CPA Australia, Julie is a respected presenter on taxation and commercial matters throughout South Australia. Her accolades include being named in Doyles Guide as a recommended wills and estates practitioner and winning the Taxation Institute Chartered SME Tax Adviser of the Year. Licensed to practise in the Supreme Court of South Australia and the High Court of Australia, Julie’s academic background comprises an Honours degree in Law from the University of Adelaide, a Master of Taxation from UNSW, and a Bachelor of Science in Business and Commerce from the University of Salford. Her extensive career, marked by a mix of professional affiliations and academic achievements, positions her as a trusted advisor and leader in the field of taxation law.