Luke Furness
Clayton Utz
Special Counsel
Brisbane
The 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
Overview
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.
Notable Work
- 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.
Insights
Media Release: Clayton Utz wins two awards at 2024 Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards
2 Sep 2024 | Media Release
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Three takeaways from the proposed reforms on multinational tax integrity and transparency
7 Oct 2022 | Article
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Broadening the H(Aurizon): a shift toward declaratory relief for taxpayers?
24 Jun 2022 | Article
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'Till debt do us part’: when are you liable for your business partner's tax bill?
24 Jun 2022 | Article
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Privilege and multidisciplinary partnerships: Federal Court hands down critical privilege guidance
14 Apr 2022 | Article
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When can we challenge ATO conduct? Court finds Tax Office's actions "oppressive"
14 Apr 2022 | Article
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Federal Court confirms ATO's broad powers (and duty) to use documents in its possession, even Court documents
31 Mar 2022 | Article
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Review your engagements with multidisciplinary partnerships involving non-lawyer tax advisers to ensure privilege will not be lost
31 Mar 2022 | Article
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Statutory interpretation and tax law: examples from Shell's Court win in deducting its exploration assets
3 Mar 2022 | Article
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Social distancing: High Court warns on contact with the Judge during litigation
14 Oct 2021 | Article
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Responding to Courts and regulators: claiming privilege against self-incrimination
16 Sep 2021 | Article
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Appeals to the High Court: The statistics, a guide to the process and some practical tips
24 Jun 2021 | Article
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OMG! Australia's first emoji defamation case – context can impute meaning
17 Sep 2020 | Article
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They could never tear us apart – an update on separate determinations
17 Aug 2020 | Article
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The distinction between joint, several, joint and several liability and why it matters
30 Apr 2020 | Article
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Six minutes past midnight: what happens if we miss the Court deadline?
12 Dec 2019 | Article
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Federal Court sets new ground rules for hearing defamation disputes
28 Nov 2019 | Article
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But we didn’t write that! Are we at risk for third-party posts on our public social media pages?
11 Jul 2019 | Article
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Documents you give to other parties in litigation can end up with the ATO
29 Mar 2018 | Article
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