Luke Furness
Clayton UtzThe smoothness of how these witness statements all went was really a testament to how much work Luke put in… we couldn't ask for anything better.
– Client quote
Luke has extensive disputes expertise encompassing tax and duties litigation, corporate and shareholder disputes, bankruptcy and insolvency, as well as general commercial disputes. Clients consistently applaud Luke for his remarkable capacity to thrive under pressure, adeptly handling demanding court proceedings and client-driven timelines, all while ensuring the team remains well-prepared and highly motivated.
Luke was named Special Counsel of the Year at the 2024 Lawyers Weekly Law Awards and one of Queensland’s 40 Under 40. The awards recognises his outstanding technical skills, positive client outcomes and contributions to the wider community, including his commitment to pro bono work and diversity and inclusion.
- Wright Prospecting: acting in relation to a series of disputes regarding that company's interest in iron ore deposits in the Pilbara.
- Newmont Mining Corporation: assisted in major Federal Court proceedings in August 2024 regarding non-resident capital gains tax and related valuation issues.
- In the matter of Seer Medical Holdings Pty Ltd: assists defendants in Federal Court proceedings for oppression and related claims brought by a shareholder and the former CEO.
- Resource Capital Funds: acted in complex income tax disputes in the Federal Court and High Court.
- Queensland Treasury Corporation: acting in Supreme Court proceedings involving alleged breaches of statutory and common law duties.
- State Revenue proceedings: has acted in eight state revenue disputes in the Queensland Supreme Court and QCAT across duties, land tax, and payroll tax.
- Confidential Japanese client – vendor/purchaser dispute: assists a vendor in claims against a purchaser for non-payment of the purchase price under a share purchase agreement.
- Chinese State Owned Enterprise: assisted in major litigation involving Australian mining subsidiary of a Chinese State Owned Enterprise, following the purchase of a $129m coal mining tenement in Queensland.
- Chinese developer: acted in dispute with its joint venture partner including an urgent injunction.
- Pro bono: acting on various elder abuse cases involving residential properties, garnering favorable terms for our pro bono clients.