Deloitte duo Colin Little and Vanja Podinic join law firm Ashurst
Former Deloitte partner Colin Little and director Vanja Podinic have crossed to law firm Ashurst to establish the firm’s tax controversy practice, territory presently occupied by the Big Four and mid-tier accounting and advisory networks.
The Deloitte duo have joined Ashurst’s Sydney office as partners, focusing on tax disputes and helping clients manage tax risk and governance frameworks.
Little previously led Deloitte Legal in Sydney, and brings more than two and a half decades of experience to his new role. Prior to his eight-plus years as a partner at Deloitte, Little spent a decade between PwC and Ernst & Young, with a five-year stint as an Australian Government Solicitor in between.
“I am excited by the opportunity to join Ashurst, which has the global reach and top tier capability needed to deliver solutions to clients,” Little said upon his appointment, adding, “Ashurst's global footprint places the firm in one of the best positions to advise on matters across the tax dispute life-cycle. The firm's strong offering in corporate law, dispute resolution and tax bring compelling advantages for clients with complex needs.”
Joining Little is Vanja Podinic, who has been a director in tax controversy at Deloitte since the end of 2019. With a focus on income tax and transfer pricing, Podinic has amassed close to a decade and a half in her field between the United Kingdom and Australia, advising clients across a broad range of sectors including tech, pharma and mining.
Prior to Deloitte she spent three and a half years at Baker McKenzie in London, with an earlier six and a half years spent at PwC.
“We are thrilled to welcome Colin and Vanja to Ashurst,” said Ashurst’s global tax practice co-lead Costa Koutsis. “With their combined experience in tax controversy work, they will help grow the firm’s existing offering to clients in Australia and abroad. With ever increasing audit and review activity, we expect demand for complex advice to continue to grow in an environment where revenue collection will be key in implementing governments’ post-pandemic budget repair.”
