Macfarlanes LLP fields a ‘brilliant’ team with expertise in the full breadth of tax matters, including fund formation, transaction structuring, and dispute resolution. The group has particular strength in cross-border matters, and regularly acts on behalf of high profile and multinational clients. Team lead Damien Crossley specialises in tax matters related to investment management, and covers issues related to private equity and private credit funds. Jeremy Moncrieff has expertise in tax elements of high value, complex public and private M&A. Sophie Donnithorne-Tait and James McCredie are key contacts for numerous prominent fund managers on a diverse selection of tax issues. Donnithorne-Tait joined the department in October 2022 from Akin, where she was team lead. Gregory Price and Alicia Thomas are highly experienced in international tax matters, with Thomas in particular noted for her knowledge of UK-US tax relationships.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The entire tax team at Macfarlanes is brilliant to work with. They know their files in detail and their expertise extend well beyond the pure tax matters.’

  • ‘Jeremy Moncrieff: extremely knowledgeable and sharp - very good at condensing difficult technical concepts into readily digestible and pragmatic advice. Very reassuring.’

  • ‘The Macfarlanes tax team is where we bring complex problems to have them exchanged for straightforward solutions. They are very strong across the breadth of issues relevant to investment funds and asset managers.’

  • ‘It is the clarity and concision of Jeremy Moncrieff's advice that really stands out for us when working with Macfarlanes. He conveys his advice really well across multiple channels - in writing, in person, and via videoconference - essential skills today.’

  • ‘Sophie Donnithorne-Tait is the best tax lawyer I have ever met, and working with her simply gives me the utmost confidence that everything will be fine.’

  • ‘The team provides good and practical advice with good understanding of the commercial rationale for the various matters considered.’

  • ‘The individuals are experts in their respective field and are able to apply the legislation to the specific context.’

Key clients

  • Hayfin Capital Management LLP
  • Arcmont Asset Management Limited
  • Synova
  • Valderrama Limited
  • Alchemy
  • Fidelity
  • Permira
  • Patron Capital
  • XTX Markets
  • Virgin Group

Work highlights

  • Advising Hayfin Capital Management LLP on tax advice in respect of the structuring and fundraising of Hayfin’s flagship funds and separately managed accounts.
  • Providing UK tax and structuring advice to Arcmont Asset Management Limited in relation to its sale to Nuveen, the investment manager of TIAA, and merger with Churchill Asset Management.
  • Advising Synova on the tax structuring of its fifth fund, which closed at its hard cap of £875m.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Macfarlanes LLP
Damien is head of the tax and reward group. He specialises in advising investment fund managers on the formation of private funds, on their house and remuneration structures and on the structuring of their investment transactions. He is widely recognised as a leading adviser to the investment management industry. Damien’s clients are, in the main, investment fund managers who he advises on their house, fund and investment structuring. He has a particular expertise in the structuring and operation of private equity and private credit funds and on their carried interest and co-investment arrangements. Damien also advises a number of clients on the efficient structuring of their global private equity and special opportunity investments. Damien spent a year on secondment at a leading law firm in New York practising US tax and most of his work has an international dimension. Damien is a chartered tax adviser and regularly speaks and writes on tax matters. Damien is the co-author of the textbook “Taxation of Partnerships and LLPs” which is published by Sweet & Maxwell. Damien is chairperson of the AIMA ACC tax committee.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Macfarlanes LLP
Sophie is a partner in our tax group. Sophie advises on all aspects of UK corporate tax and has particular expertise in advising investment fund clients on the tax issues relating to the establishment of fund structures and asset management businesses, as well as on the tax implications of financial restructurings.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Damien Crossley

Other key lawyers

James McCredie, Jeremy Moncrieff, Gregory Price, Alicia Thomas, Sophie Donnithorne-Tait, Sarah Shucksmith