Tax lawyers are specialists who advise clients on various tax-related issues. They ensure their clients comply with tax obligations while finding legal ways to minimise their tax exposure.
In the context of corporate law firms, tax lawyers will often work closely with their colleagues in other transactional-led departments to ensure the deals and relevant transaction documents are compliant from a tax perspective and protect their clients’ position.
This might include, for example, reviewing and signing off the relevant tax provisions of the share purchase agreement (SPA) in an M&A transaction, the loan agreement in a banking transaction, or the prospectus and offering documents in a capital markets transaction.
Other typical tasks for tax lawyers include researching relevant tax legislation and case law related to the matters they’re advising on, advising clients on optimal transaction structures to minimise tax, and liaising with tax colleagues in overseas jurisdictions to advise on cross-border tax implications. This is particularly common in large law firms, where many transactions have an international element.
Tax lawyers at the leading London law firms can expect to earn between £120,000 - £150,000 at the junior end of the associate scale (up to 2/3 years’ PQE).
Mid and senior-level associates can expect to earn north of £200,000.
We have a list of salaries paid by all of the UK’s top law firms here.
The top law firms for tax often boast a long-standing pedigree in the field.
The leading players are considered to be Freshfields, Kirkland & Ellis, Macfarlanes and Slaughter and May.
Ashurst, A&O Shearman and Latham & Watkins are also known for having highly-regarded tax practices.
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