Simone Bridges

Biography

Simone is a partner in the Sydney office of Baker McKenzie.

She is ranked by Legal 500 as a Next Generation Partner and is listed as a Women Leader in Tax by the International Tax Review. Simone is also an author and contributor to Thomson Reuters and CCH tax commentary.

She has been a guest speaker at University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales, and is a regular panelist and presenter at Global Taxation Executive Institute events, the Global Tax Disputes Forum and the Asia Pacific Tax conference.

Practice Focus

Simone advises both international and Australian domestic businesses. She focuses on advisory and also contentious matters. In the context of tax, the Legal 500 has noted "Simone Bridges is a standout name " - Legal 500.

Representative Legal Matters

Advised Broadcom on its acquisition of Symantec and post-acquisition matters.
Advised Elanor Commercial Property Fund on its successful listing on the ASX.
Advising on the acquisition of a large scale suite of data centres in Australia.
Advised AccorInvest on the disposal of a 23-hotel portfolio.
Advised SK E&S on the acquisition of a 25% interest in the Bayu-Undan and Darwin LNG from Santos, part of a bundle of assets Santos is acquiring from ConocoPhillips for AUD 2.2 billon.
Represented numerous clients in audits and risk reviews with the ATO.
Advised Morrison & Co on its acquisition of water utility Flow Systems.

Professional Honors

Next Generation Partner, Asia Pacific Legal 500, 2018-2021
Women in Tax Leader, International Tax Review, 2016-2021
Tax Partner of the Year - Women in Business Awards 2021
Indirect Tax Leader of the Year - International Tax Review

Professional Associations and Memberships

Taxation Institute of Australia - Member
Law Society of New South Wales - Member
International Fiscal Association - Member

Admissions

New South Wales~Australia (2009)

Education

University of Sydney (LLM) (2017)
University of Wollongong (LLB Business Commerce (Honors & Distinction)) (2008)

Languages

English

Simone is a regular speaker in tax conferences including the Tax Executive Institute's events such as International Tax Day, Asia Pacific Tax Conference and the Tax Disputes Forum. She has written various articles on Australian income tax on CCH and Thomson Reuters.

Author, Australia embraces International Cooperation to solve tax challenges posed by the digitalised economy, The Australian, 9 September 2022
Panelist, International Conference, International Fiscal Association, 2019
Guest Speaker, Where Policy Meets Reality - 20 Years of GST, University of New South Wales Taxation and Business Law / University of Sydney Law School, 2019
Author, Australian GST on Low Value Goods: Is Your Business Ready for the 1 July 2018 Changes?, Lexology, April 2018
Author, Securities Over Land - Stamp Duties