Luke Furness
Clayton Utz
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
Luke has extensive disputes expertise encompassing tax and duties litigation, corporate and shareholder disputes, and general commercial disputes. He has been a core part some of Australia's largest tax and commercial disputes. He is also a key contributor to the firm's AI strategy, workflows and risks in litigation.
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.
Wright Prospecting: acting in relation to a series of large disputes regarding that company's interest in iron ore deposits in the Pilbara.
Newmont Mining Corporation: assisted in major Federal Court proceedings regarding non-resident capital gains tax and related valuation issues.
In the matter of Seer Medical Holdings Pty Ltd: assisted 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: acted in Supreme Court proceedings involving alleged breaches of statutory and common law duties.
State Revenue proceedings: has acted in nine state revenue disputes in the Queensland Supreme Court and QCAT across duties, land tax, and payroll tax.
Confidential Japanese client – vendor/purchaser dispute: assisted a vendor in claims against a purchaser for non-payment of the purchase price under a share purchase agreement. Attained freezing orders and default judgment.
Confidential private group – vendor/purchaser dispute: assists a purchaser in a range of claims and potential claims against the vendor including complex valuation and accounting evidence, construction claims, and warranty and indemnity claims.
Private client and SME tax disputes: has acted in many disputes involving private individuals and groups including audits, objections and appeals regarding GST, income tax, residency issues, CFC rules, SGC, and land tax.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.
Pro bono: acting on various elder abuse cases involving residential properties, garnering favorable terms for our pro bono clients.