Denise specialises in helping business owners and high net worth individuals successfully navigate the tax and business aspects of cross-border expansion and movement. She leads international tax at Pitcher Partners Melbourne and oversees an experienced team who help clients understand and negotiate the complexities of international operations.
Denise offers practical, commercial advice informed by a deep understanding of tax law cultivated as a practicing lawyer. Her advice is tailored to the needs and priorities of each client, so they can make informed decisions covering the commercial, tax, risk and logistical aspects of their international actions. She proactively equips every business and individual she works with to manage a range of ongoing cross border activities, from expansion and movement between jurisdictions, to dealing with revenue authorities.
In order to deepen connections with her professional networks in other countries, including law firms and banks, Denise travels widely. Her strong business relationships ensure she is always on the front foot when negotiating complex cross-border issues. She exhibits a readiness to tackle any challenge for a business owner or individual, and instills confidence that they can trust her to complete any task efficiently and smoothly.
Denise’s support expands well beyond providing technical advice, and can include include obtaining visas for staff to move between countries, sourcing commercial legal advice in appropriate markets, or liaising with banks to get the necessary sign-offs to open a bank account.
Denise has devoted her entire career to international tax, first at a Big Four firm and then as owner of her own boutique international tax firm for privately held groups. Her skill set and expertise stood out to Pitcher Partners Melbourne at a time when increasing internationalisation demanded a specialised tax offering. She joined the firm as a partner in 2008 with a remit to build a successful international tax group for privately held and middle market groups.
Today, Denise is actively engaged in key industry bodies. Her roles include: Steering Committee Member on both the International Tax & Disputes Forum and the Asia-Pacific Wealth Advisors Forum; Member of the Australian Branch Executive Committee of the International Fiscal Association, the Tax Institute International Committee, and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (TEP); and Australian WIN representative of the International Fiscal Association. Denise also represented Pitcher Partners on the ATO’s Division 815 Technical Working Group and the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Tax Advisory Group.
Memberships and qualifications
- Bachelor of Commerce (University of Melbourne)
- Bachelor of Laws (Hons) (University of Melbourne)
- Master of Laws (University of Melbourne)
- Accredited Tax Law Specialist, Law Institute of Victoria
- Affiliate of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)
- Chartered Tax Advisor with the Tax Institute
- Member Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners
- Member Tax Institute International Committee
