Holding Redlich hires ex-ATO official amid regulatory pressure

Binaya Dahal

Journalist

25 May 2026

Holding Redlich has tapped former Australian Taxation Office official Michael Patane as partner, bolstering its tax bench amid intensifying scrutiny from federal and state revenue authorities on corporations nationwide.

The Melbourne-headquartered law firm announced the appointment on Friday, saying Patane’s more than two decades of experience, including his nine-year stint as ATO deputy chief tax counsel, will give the practice rare insight into how Australia’s tax regulator thinks and operates.

Holding Redlich partner Dhanushka Jayawardena said Patane’s background would significantly enhance the firm’s capabilities across tax advisory, disputes and litigation.

“Michael’s experience as Deputy Chief Tax Counsel at the ATO, combined with his background advising clients across tax disputes and complex commercial transactions, brings significant depth to the practice,” Jayawardena said.

Upon appointment, Patane said the firm’s integrated commercial and tax advisory and disputes practice was a strong fit for his experience advising clients through commercial transactions, tax reviews, audits and litigation matters.

“Clients are increasingly seeking advisers who understand both the technical, procedural and practical aspects of dealing with various taxation laws, revenue authorities and resolving disputes efficiently,” he said.

The firm also appointed Eli Bursky as special counsel to advise private groups and high-net-worth individuals on mergers and acquisitions, restructures, financing transactions, tax disputes and employee share schemes.

Bursky brings experience from private practice in both Australia and the United Kingdom and previously worked at the Australian Government Solicitor advising the Commissioner of Taxation on litigation matters.

“We are pleased to welcome Michael and Eli to Holding Redlich,” Jayawardena said. “Their combined experience across tax advisory, disputes and litigation further strengthens our ability to support clients engaging with revenue authorities and managing complex, large-scale tax matters nationally.”