chris brown

partner

expertise

  • Tax

  • Dispute Resolution & Litigation

  • Corporate & Commercial

  • Estate Planning

  • Property & Development

  • Charity & Not-for-profit

Chris Brown has practiced in revenue, commercial and corporate law for over 45 years, with a critical focus on innovation, strategic planning and legal design, to satisfy the needs of clients. He has worked to ensure that Brown Wright Stein Lawyers strives to continually evaluate and improve internal processes and is passionate about continued employee learning and growth, to enable the firm to satisfy the needs of clients in a strategic, ethical, timely and cost effective manner.

He has worked strategically with successful entrepreneurs and business leaders and owners in many fields, to create long term sustained growth and brand value for shareholders, investors and stakeholders. He has a particular interest in the design of systems for effective linking of operations with execution of enterprise strategy, remuneration strategy, corporate governance and risk.

Chris has been a non-executive director of Harvey Norman Holdings Limited since 1982, and a non-executive director or chairman of a number of unlisted companies in the retail, freight and logistic sectors. He is currently a member of the audit, remuneration and nomination committees of Harvey Norman Holdings Limited.

Chris is passionate about social justice for people with an intellectual disability. He is chairman of Windgap Foundation Limited, a public benevolent institution which provides a wide range of services to people with intellectual disabilities and their families. Windgap's mission is to support people with an intellectual disability to be included and participate in the community to the fullest possible extent. In June 2013 in the Queen’s Birthday honours list Chris was awarded the Order of Australia, for service to the community, particularly people with a disability. Chris values the fact that Brown Wright Stein Lawyers is able to regularly utilise the skills and resources of the firm, pro bono, to assist people with disability and their families.

qualifications

  • Chartered Tax Adviser

  • Company Directors Course Diploma, Australian Institute of Company Directors

  • Master of Laws, University of Sydney

  • Bachelor of Laws, University of Sydney

 
BWS Christopher Brown-13.jpg

articles

Featured
Tax
Payroll Tax Implications for Arrangements Between Related Companies
Tax

A recent case in New South Wales has highlighted an important payroll tax risk for businesses operating through related companies. The decision in Chief Commissioner of State Revenue v E Group Security Pty Ltd (No 2) [2022] NSWCA 259 demonstrates how arrangements within corporate groups can trigger payroll tax liabilities under the Payroll Tax Act 2007 (NSW).

Read More →
Tax
Corporate & Commercial
Sporting clubs, community service organisations and charities are in the ATO’s sights - does your sporting club or community service organisation need to lodge an ATO annual return by 1 October 2024?
Corporate & Commercial

Not-for-profits entities with an ABN which are eligible to self-assess as income tax exempt will be required to submit an annual self-review return with the ATO, commencing from the 2024 income year. The 2024 annual self-review return must be lodged by 31 October 2024.

The new reporting regime was introduced to enhance integrity in the tax system and ensure that only eligible NFPs are entitled to income tax exemption.

Read More →
Corporate & Commercial
Corporate & Commercial, Consumer Law
Illegal cartel conduct leads to massive fines and criminal sentences for CEOs
Corporate & Commercial, Consumer Law

A cumulative fine of $33.5 million and criminal convictions and fines imposed on the CEOs have been recently handed down by the Federal Court following criminal cartel conduct.

Businessman in a shadowy office stopping domino effect with his finger with a bright light flare from behind.

Read More →
Corporate & Commercial, Consumer Law