Stephen's main area of practice is taxation litigation and he has considerable experience appearing in complex tax matters both at first instance and on appeal.  His experience includes representing clients in various alternative dispute resolution processes including mediation, conciliation and early neutral evaluation as well as at hearings conducted by regulatory and investigatory agencies.  

He also practices in administrative law, commercial law, corporations and insolvency.

Stephen has a personal interest in matters involving mathematical, scientific and technical issues and has appeared in a number of cases involving valuation, complex financial instruments and the mining and oil and gas industries.

Stephen holds first class Honours and a Masters degree in Law and a degree in Science majoring in mathematics.  Prior to coming to the bar he was a senior associate at King & Wood Mallesons.

Reported cases in which Stephen has appeared include:

• Mussalli v Commissioner of Taxation [2020] FCA 544, on appeal [2021] FCAFC 71
• Bosanac v Commissioner of Taxation [2019] HCA 41
• Caltex Australia Petroleum Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation [2019] FCA 1849
• Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation [2019] FCA 1582
• Sole Luna as Trustee for the PA Wade No 2 Settlement Trust v Commissioner of Taxation [2019] FCA 1195
• Deputy Commissioner of Taxation v Leo & Ors [2019] SASC 146
• Schweitzer v Commissioner of Taxation [2019] AATA 1100
• Divas Beverages Holdings Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation [2018] FCA 576
• Commissioner of Taxation v Vasiliades (No 2) [2017] FCA 
• Commissioner of Taxation v Vasiliades [2016] FCAFC 170, special leave refused [2017] HCATrans 104
• Commissioner of Taxation v ElecNet (Aust) Pty Ltd [2015] FCAFC 178, special leave granted [2016] HCATrans 237, on appeal [2016] HCA 51
• PTTEP Australasia (Ashmore Cartier) Pty Ltd v FCT [2013] FCA 1175, on appeal [2014] FCAFC 71
• Fowler v Commissioner of Taxation [2013] FCAFC 69
• Sanctuary Lakes Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation [2013] FCAFC 50, special leave declined [2013] HCA Trans 273
• SJ Buller Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation [2013] AATA 617
• Stewart v Commissioner of Taxation [2013] AATA 845
• Williams & Ors v State of Victoria & Anor [2012] VSC 585
• Deputy Commissioner of Taxation v Bollands [2012] FCA 1050 and [2012] FCA 1148
• Commissioner of Taxation v Traviati [2012] FCA 546
• Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation [2011] FCA 360, on appeal [2011] FCAFC 154
• Sent v Commissioner of Taxation [2011] AATA 198, on appeal [2012] FCA 382, on further appeal [2012] FCAFC 187, special leave declined [2013] HCATrans 108
• Noza Holdings Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation [2010] FCA 990 and [2011] FCA 46, on appeal [2012] FCAFC 43
• National Australia Bank v Commissioner of Taxation [2011] FCA 44
• Latitude Holdings Pty Ltd v Commissioner of State Revenue [2010] VCAT 1627
• Commissioner of Taxation v White [2010] FCA 730 and [2010] FCA 942
• De Simone v Commissioner of Taxation [2008] AATA 708, on appeal [2009] FCA 446, on further appeal [2009] FCAFC 181
• Confidential v Commissioner of Taxation [2009] AATA 869
• Confidential v Commissioner of Taxation [2009] AATA 435-439
• ConnectEast Management Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation [2008] FCA 557, on appeal [2009] FCAFC 22, special leave declined [2009] HCATrans 220
• Brady King Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (No.2) [2008] FCA 1918
• Marijancevic v Mann [2008] FCAFC 161
• Brady King Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation [2008] FCA 81, on appeal [2008] FCAFC 118
• Ryan and Commissioner of Taxation [2008] AATA 383
• Guest v Commissioner of Taxation [2007] FCA 193
• Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation [2007] AATA 1776
• Sent v Primelife Corporation Ltd;  Primelife Corporation Ltd v Mainpoint Developments Pty Ltd [2006] VSC 445
• VBN and Ors and Australian Prudential Regulation Authority and Anor [2006] AATA710
• Purton-Smith v Telstra Corporation Limited [2006] VSC 197
• In the matter of Ansett Australia Limited (ACN 004 209410) [2006] FCA 277
• Henderson v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation [2005] FCA 1806, leave to appeal declined [2006] FCA 223