Leon Loganathan

Partner

After completing a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Western Australia,  Leon came to Darwin in 1990 and studied law while lecturing and tutoring economics at Charles Darwin University.

On gaining a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Queensland, he completed his articles and became admitted to practise law in the Northern Territory. Leon then spent 2 years advising the Territory Revenue Office on tax policy and legislation and developing his expertise in stamp duty. During that time he also completed a Master of Laws with a focus on stamp duty.

In 1997 Leon moved to Sydney to work in the taxation division of global accounting firm, Ernst & Young. He headed up the firm’s national stamp duty practice for a year before bringing his young family home to Darwin in 2003 to join Ward Keller.

In his commercial practice, Leon advises a broad range of clients, from individuals to ASX-listed companies. His private and public sector experience makes him uniquely positioned to provide advice to clients dealing with government on legal matters.

Commercial law, property transactions and regulatory compliance are Leon’s main areas of practice. He launched Ward Keller’s conveyancing practice soon after he joined the firm, and it’s grown into one of the largest and most enduring in the Territory.

Leon has a particular interest in stamp duty and payroll tax, and has assisted clients: apply for corporate reconstruction stamp duty exemptions; prepare for audits; make voluntary disclosures; request private rulings on complex issues; and prepare objections.

He is also an experienced negotiator and is particularly adept at distilling the issues in complex disputes to assist parties find a resolution. This avoids costly court proceedings with uncertain outcomes.

As a speaker, Leon has delivered several presentations for professional bodies, including the Taxation Institute of Australia, the Real Estate Institute of the Northern Territory, the Urban Development Institute of Australia and the Australian Institute of Conveyancers.

Leon has lectured in business law at Charles Darwin University and has been an author of the Lexis Nexis Australian Stamp Duties Law Reporter. He is considered a leader in the field of state taxation and residential property law in the Northern Territory.

Ward Keller has been a member of Lawyers Associated Worldwide (LAW) since 2008. LAW is a global association of approximately 100 independent law firms. Leon was elected Chair of the organisation in New York in 2022.

Areas of Law

  • Sale and purchase of businesses
  • Property transactions
  • Stamp duty
  • Payroll tax
  • Business disputes

Qualifications & Memberships

  • Bachelor of Laws, University of Queensland
  • Master of Laws, Deakin University
  • Bachelor of Economics, University of Western Australia
  • Certificate in Financial Markets, Securities Institute of Australia
  • Admitted to practise as a Legal Practitioner in the Northern Territory (1994) and New South Wales (1998)
  • Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Contact Details