Jonathan Donald

Partner Sydney

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Overview

Known as “commercial, committed and flexible", Jonathan is one of Australia's most sought-after tax advisers for M&A and private equity. Domestic and foreign clients come to him for tax-effective structuring of mergers, acquisitions, divestments, joint ventures, private equity and property investments. His expertise spans a wide range of sectors, including private equity, property funds and publicly listed companies.

Notable Work

Pacific Equity Partners (PEP): longstanding lead tax adviser to PEP (Australia's largest private equity firm), including structuring various funds (PEP Fund IV, PEP Fund V, PEP's Fund VI, Secure Assets Fund I, Secure Assets Fund II, and PEP Capital Solutions Fund I) totaling billions of dollars and advising on multiple investments by the Funds.
The Blackstone Group: advised on certain key tax aspects of its $9 billion acquisition of ASX-listed Crown Resorts in 2022, a significant deal in the Australian market.
Intermediate Capital Group (ICG): long-term lead Australian tax adviser, working on various private equity investments, fund structuring and also ICG's new infrastructure strategy / fund.
Cranemere: acted for this US private equity firm and its partner Velocity Vehicle Group on the Australian acquisition of Daimler truck and bus dealerships in 2021.
Lash Holdco / Gauge Capital: advised US private equity firm Gauge Capital on Lash Holdco’s acquisition of Bondi Boost, a hair care and beauty company, in a deal completed in 2021.
The Children's Investment (TCI) Fund: acted on the sale of its investment (as largest shareholder) in ASX-listed renewable energy generator Infigen Energy in 2020.
China Investment Corporation (CIC): structured its acquisition of the Investa property portfolio, valued at $2.5 billion, one of the largest direct property sales in Australian history.
EMR Capital: acted for EMR on structuring EMR Capital Resources Fund II (a private equity fund focused on mining investments) and certain investment including the 2018 acquisition of the Kestrel Coal Mine from Rio Tinto ($2.9 billion).
Aviva Plc: lead tax adviser to large UK insurance company Aviva in a landmark Federal Court case that effectively overturned the ATO's public ruling (in place for 20 years) that sought to impose Capital Gains Tax on non-residents. This case determined that the relevant Double Tax Agreements prevented the ATO from imposing CGT in the relevant circumstances, showcasing his expertise in resolving complex and material tax disputes.

Jonathan Donald

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