Lauded for its ‘deep experience of handling the most complex disputes with HMRC’, Simmons & Simmons is best known for its work representing clients across the financial services, asset management and environmental sectors in tax litigation. Heather Rowlands takes on the role of practice head and is praised for her ’extremely broad experience, particularly in VAT’. Craig Kirkham-Wilson is a standout feature of the team for his work in tax tribunal advocacy, criminal and civil investigations and mediations.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Really excellent partners and associates. Very technical, lots of practical knowledge and great to work with.’
‘Heather Rowlands has extremely broad experience, particularly in VAT. Katie Oliver is a very bright and hard-working senior associate. One to watch.’
‘This is a truly excellent team. In depth expertise, excellent resourcing and a great collaborative spirit.’
‘The team at Simmons offer excellent and really hard-working client service and have one of the best litigation practices in London, matching the magic circle firms.’
‘Darren Oswick, Heather Rowlands, Craig Kirkham-Wilson and Katie Oliver are all superb. Heather in particular is a standout partner in terms of her diligence and attention to detail.’
‘One of the best tax litigation teams about. Deep experience of handling the most complex disputes with HMRC. Absolutely fantastic client care.’
Key clients
- Willis Towers Watson
- Christopher Rokos (principal of Rokos Capital Management)
- Augean Limited
- Davidson Kempner Capital Management
- The Saint-Gobain group
- RNIB, the Royal National Institute of Blind People (acting pro bono)
Work highlights
Acting for Burlington Loan Management DAC (Davidson Kempner Capital Management) in a multi-million-pound tax treaty dispute.
Acting for Augean in ‘test case’ appeals relating to the landfill tax liability of waste from numerous industrial processes.
Acting for multiple asset managers and hedge funds with limited liability partnership structures in disputes with HMRC regarding the application of the ‘salaried member rules’.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Heather Rowlands
Other key lawyers
Monique Van Herksen; Craig Kirkham-Wilson; Katie Oliver; Darren Oswick