- Address: 123 Anywhere Street
- hello@watsontax.com.au
SYDNEY · MELBOURNE · CANBERRA · AUSTRALIA
Lawyers for Asset Protection & Insolvency Risk Structuring
Senior counsel on separating trading risk from key assets & managing director exposure.
ABOUT WATSON Tax LAWYERS
Who We Are
Watson Tax Lawyers advises on asset protection and insolvency risk structuring for private groups, family businesses and business owners.
This work is not about artificial schemes designed to defeat creditors. It is about designing or adjusting structures so that trading risk and key assets are sensibly separated, directors and controllers understand their exposures, and decisions are made within the boundaries of Australian law.
What We Do in Asset Protection & Insolvency Risk Structuring
01
Holding & Trading Entity Structures
Advising on the use and refinement of holding and trading entity structures to separate operating risk from key assets such as real estate, intellectual property and core business infrastructure.
Work includes reviewing existing structures, identifying weaknesses and recommending changes consistent with commercial realities and legal constraints.
02
Director Exposure & Insolvency Risk
Advising directors and controllers on personal exposure arising from group structures, funding arrangements and trading practices, including in the vicinity of insolvency.
The focus is on understanding duties, identifying practical risks and designing approaches that respect those duties while managing exposure.
03
Restructures to Manage Risk (within the Law)
Assisting with restructures intended to manage risk – for example, in response to changes in trading conditions or emerging creditor pressures – where there is still scope to act lawfully.
Advice is directed to what can and cannot be done, and to how changes should be documented and implemented.
04
Coordination with Insolvency & Other Advisers
Working alongside insolvency practitioners, accountants and other advisers where clients are facing financial distress or contemplating formal processes.
The aim is to add structural and tax insight to the broader advice being provided, without displacing those advisers.
WHO WE ASSIST
The Clients & Advisers We Act for.
01
Business Owners & Directors
Business owners and directors who want to understand and manage their personal exposure in light of their group structures, funding arrangements and trading position.
02
Private Groups & Family Businesses
Private groups and family businesses seeking to align their structures with their commercial and family objectives while managing risk in a sensible way.
03
Property & Asset‑Holding Entities
Entities holding key assets for groups – such as property, intellectual property or equipment — that need to be protected from day‑to‑day trading risk where this is lawfully possible.
04
Companies under Financial Strain
Companies under financial strain, but not yet in formal insolvency processes, where owners and directors want to understand options and limits for restructuring.
05
Executives & Controllers in Complex Groups
Executives, controllers and senior managers in complex groups who are concerned about their responsibilities and exposures under existing structures.
06
Accountants, Lawyers & Insolvency Practitioners
Accountants, lawyers and insolvency practitioners whose clients are seeking structural and tax advice as part of broader risk management or turnaround work.
Discuss Your Matter in Confidence.
If you are facing a serious tax, commercial, private wealth or whistleblower issue, contact Watson Tax Lawyers for a confidential discussion about your position and the options available.
BY THE NUMBERS
40+
Years advising on tax, commercial and private wealth matters
28
Years as a partner at Greenwoods & Herbert Smith Freehills
100+
Significant transactions, projects and disputes.
150+
Private groups, family offices and high-net-worth clients advised
Solicitor & Chartered Accountant | Experience in asset protection & insolvency risk structuring
founder of watson tax lawyers
Meet Anthony Watson
Anthony Watson is the principal of Watson Tax Lawyers. He is both a solicitor and a chartered accountant, with more than 35 years’ experience advising private groups, family businesses and business owners on structures, risk and exposure.
His work includes advising on holding and trading structures, director and controller exposure, restructures in the vicinity of insolvency and the intersection between legal duties, tax and commercial reality.
CLIENT CONFIDENCE
01 / 05
HOW THE PROCESS WORKS
How the Process Works for Asset Protection & Insolvency Risk
01
Confidential Discussion & Group Overview
We begin with a confidential discussion about the group, its entities, funding arrangements, trading position and the concerns that have led you to seek advice.
02
Assessment of Structures, Duties & Risk
Anthony reviews the structures and key documents, identifies where assets and risks sit, and explains relevant duties and exposures in practical terms.
03
Structuring Options & Lawful Adjustments
We advise on options for adjusting structures and arrangements within the boundaries of the law, and assist in designing and documenting any agreed changes.
04
Ongoing Counsel As Circumstances Develop
As trading conditions and circumstances change, Anthony remains available as ongoing counsel so that decisions can be adapted and, where necessary, aligned with any formal processes.
Discuss Your Matter in Confidence.
If you are facing a serious tax, commercial, private wealth or whistleblower issue, contact Watson Tax Lawyers for a confidential discussion about your position and the options available.
WHY CHOOSE US
Why Watson Tax Lawyers for Asset Protection & Insolvency Risk Structuring
I
Senior Judgment on High‑Consequence Issues
Asset protection and insolvency‑adjacent structuring decisions are handled personally by Anthony, reflecting the seriousness of their consequences for owners, directors and families.
II
Legal, Tax & Commercial Realities Aligned
Advice reflects legal duties, tax consequences and commercial realities together, avoiding both complacency and knee‑jerk reactions that create further problems.
III
Experience with Private Groups under Strain
Anthony has experience acting for private groups and family businesses facing financial strain, where structural and governance issues need to be understood clearly.
IV
Collaborative with Insolvency & Advisory Teams
Watson Tax Lawyers works alongside existing accountants, insolvency practitioners and lawyers, adding structural and tax insight while they manage their respective roles.
Frequently Asked Questions about Asset Protection & Insolvency Risk Structuring
When is it appropriate to seek advice on asset protection and insolvency risk?
Ideally before financial pressure becomes acute. Early advice allows options to be considered calmly and changes to be made, where appropriate, within the boundaries of the law.
Do you assist with schemes designed to defeat creditors?
No. We do not advise on or support arrangements designed to defeat creditors. Our work is focused on sensible structuring and risk management within legal limits.
How do you work with insolvency practitioners and other advisers?
We typically work alongside existing accountants, lawyers and insolvency practitioners. Our role is to provide structural and tax insight as part of a broader advisory effort.
Can you assist if formal insolvency processes have already commenced?
Yes. We can provide advice on structural and exposure issues within the constraints of any formal processes in place and in coordination with appointed practitioners and other advisers.
DISCUSS YOUR MATTER IN CONFIDENCE
Begin a Confidential Conversation.
If you are facing a serious tax, commercial, private wealth or whistleblower issue, contact Watson Tax Lawyers for a confidential discussion about your position and the options available.
- Watson Tax Lawyers will review your enquiry and respond as soon as practicable. The firm will confirm separately whether it is able to act and, if so, the applicable terms of engagement.