- Address: 123 Anywhere Street
- hello@watsontax.com.au
SYDNEY · MELBOURNE · CANBERRA · AUSTRALIA
Lawyers for Private Groups & Family Businesses
Senior legal, tax & governance counsel for complex private group and family business structures.
ABOUT WATSON Tax LAWYERS
Who We Are
Watson Tax Lawyers advises private groups and family businesses on ownership, control, governance, family company and trust structures, business succession, asset protection, tax risk and disputes or potential disputes between family members.
These matters often require more than technical documents. They call for judgment about how structures, roles and expectations work in practice, and how to support both the commercial health of the group and the relationships within it.
What We Do for Private Groups & Family Businesses
01
Group Structures & Governance Frameworks
Advising on how companies, trusts and other entities within a private group are structured, how decisions are made and how roles and powers are allocated.
Work includes reviewing and reshaping group structures and governance frameworks so they better support the group’s commercial and family objectives.
02
Ownership, Control & Succession within the Group
Advising on changes in ownership and control within private groups and family businesses, including introducing or exiting principals and planning for generational change.
The focus is on managing these transitions in a way that is workable, tax‑sensible and aligned with the group’s longer‑term plans.
03
Disputes & Potential Disputes between Family Members
Acting where disputes or potential disputes arise between family members or principals about roles, entitlements, expectations or the direction of the business.
Work includes identifying legal and commercial risks, advising on options and developing strategies directed to resolution and the preservation of value.
04
Asset Protection & Risk Management within Groups
Advising on how assets and risks are held within private groups and family businesses, including the separation of trading risk from key assets.
The aim is to design or adjust structures that offer sensible protection while remaining within the boundaries of Australian law.
WHO WE ASSIST
The Clients & Advisers We Act for.
01
Family‑Owned Businesses
Family‑owned businesses where ownership, management and family relationships are closely connected, and where decisions about the business inevitably affect the family.
02
Private Groups with Multiple Entities
Private groups with multiple companies, trusts and other entities, often built up over time, where governance, control and risk allocation need to be reviewed or clarified.
03
Principals & Key Family Members
Principals and key family members involved in running or owning the group who are concerned about roles, responsibilities, control or the future direction of the group.
04
Next‑Generation Leaders
Next‑generation family members taking on greater responsibility and seeking clarity on their role, authority and future stake within the group.
05
Executors & Controllers in Group Contexts
Executors, trustees, directors and other controllers whose decisions affect both the commercial group and the family, and who need to understand their obligations and options.
06
Accountants, Lawyers & Family Advisers
Accountants, lawyers and other advisers whose clients are private groups or family businesses and who require specialist legal and tax input on structural, governance or dispute issues.
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 | Extensive experience with private groups & family businesses
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 and family businesses on structures, governance, succession, disputes and tax risk.
His work includes reviewing and reshaping group structures, advising on ownership and control, addressing emerging or actual disputes and helping families and principals make decisions that balance commercial and personal considerations.
CLIENT CONFIDENCE
01 / 05
HOW THE PROCESS WORKS
How the Process Works for Private Groups & Family Businesses
01
Confidential Discussion & Group Overview
We begin with a confidential discussion about the group, its entities, the people involved and the issues or concerns that have led you to seek advice.
02
Assessment of Structures, Roles & Risks
Anthony reviews the current structures and key documents, identifies legal, tax and governance issues, and outlines where roles, powers or expectations may need clarification or adjustment.
03
Design of Structural & Governance Changes
We design and document changes to structures and governance — for example, adjustments to company and trust arrangements, shareholder or unitholder arrangements, and decision‑making frameworks.
04
Implementation & Ongoing Support
Implementation is handled with care and discretion, with Anthony remaining available as ongoing counsel as circumstances and relationships evolve.
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 Private Groups & Family Businesses
I
Senior Counsel for Complex Family‑Commercial Issues
Private group and family business matters are handled personally by Anthony, recognising the complexity and sensitivity of decisions that affect both the business and the family.
II
Integrated Legal, Tax & Governance View
Advice brings together legal structure, tax consequences and governance realities, avoiding solutions that work only on paper.
III
Experience with Disputes & Pre‑Dispute Situations
Anthony has experience both in helping groups address emerging issues before they become disputes and in acting where disputes have already arisen.
IV
Collaborative With Existing Advisers
Watson Tax Lawyers regularly works with the group’s existing accountants, lawyers and other advisers, adding specialist judgment while maintaining established relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions about Private Groups & Family Businesses
When should we seek advice on our private group structure?
Typically when there are signs of strain — unclear roles, questions about control or entitlements, upcoming generational change, or external events that put pressure on the group. Early advice can often prevent more serious issues later.
Do you only act once a dispute has already arisen?
No. Much of this work is pre‑dispute — identifying and addressing issues in structures and expectations before conflict crystallises. We also act where disputes are already underway.
How do you work with our existing accountants and lawyers?
We normally work alongside your existing accountants, lawyers and other advisers. Our focus is on structural, governance and dispute‑risk issues where senior legal and tax judgment is needed.
Can you act for more than one family member or entity?
We conduct conflict checks at the outset and are clear about who the client is. In some matters we can act for the group as a whole; in others we may only act for particular members or entities. Where conflicts prevent us from acting for more than one party, we explain that position and, where appropriate, suggest alternatives.
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.