Vivian Chang and Paul O'Donnell have both attribute their moves to the reputation of the firm’s tax practice.

Chang comes to Blakes from Deloitte, Sydney, where she worked as a tax partner for two years, while O’Donnell was previously a tax partner with Sydney’s Ernst & Young (E&Y) for 12 years.

“[Chang] and [O’Donnell] are both highly regarded for their technical expertise and deep knowledge of various financial services-related tax matters,” tax practice team leader, Duncan Baxter, said.

“[Their] addition, with their combined experience in the financial services industry and in mergers and acquisitions transactions, will enhance our national tax team and enable them to play a key role in further developing and building the practice,” he said.

Since joining Deloitte in 1996, Chang has worked in the international tax group, where she developed a broad knowledge of the tax regime and specialised in financial services, international tax and transactional work. She has advised a range of blue-chip financial services and non-financial services clients.

“Blake Dawson Waldron has a significant national tax practice with an impressive depth of experience,” Chang said.

“I am delighted to join the firm and look forward to working as a member of the tax team. My experience providing transactional tax advice and advice on complex matters to corporate and financial services clients will assist the firm in continuing to provide leading edge advice.”

During his time at E&Y, O’Donnell was also a director of the company trading as Ernst & Young Law. He specialised on income tax consulting, mainly in the area of financing, with a focus on structured and project finance with trading banks, investment banks and infrastructure consortia.

“Blake Dawson Waldron has an impressive national tax practice that is well placed and recognised in the market,” O’Donnell said. “My focus will be working with the rest of the firm on financial services, corporate and property clients.

“For me, this is a tremendous opportunity to apply the skills I have acquired as a tax partner at Ernst & Young, working with a wide range of clients including Australian and international banks and investment banks.”