John practises mainly in commercial law, with particular focus on employment law, insolvency and taxation.

He is best known for the ‘Backpacker Tax’ litigation in which, as lead counsel for the taxpayer, he overturned a Commonwealth tax: Addy v Commissioner of Taxation (2021) 273 CLR 613. The High Court proceedings can be viewed at the following link: www.hcourt.gov.au/cases/cases-av/av-2021-06-24

Other significant cases include:

• Pigozzo v Mineral Resources Limited and Ellison (case settled – Pigozzo v Mineral Resources (No 3) [2025] FCA 1142) – the whistleblower case that forced Chris Ellison, to announce his resignation from Mineral Resources. John was the counsel for the whistleblower.

• Weddall v Rasier Pacific and Uber BV (VID 427/2021)(judgment reserved) – the action brought by Australian drivers to establish that Uber drivers are employees rather than independent contractors. John is the counsel for the Uber drivers.

• Sydney Subdivision (in liq) v Chow [2023] FCA 8 – Breach of directors’ duties claim in a liquidator action, a win on a technical point.

• Ashby v Commonwealth of Australia [2022] FCAFC 77 – the final decision in the long-running employment dispute between James Ashby, Peter Slipper and the Commonwealth. John was counsel for James Ashby.

• In the matter of OneSteel (administrators appointed) [2017] NSWSC 21 – the insolvency case where a defective PPSR registration caused the lessor to lose title to $23 million in mining equipment. John was one of the counsel for the administrators, led by Noel Hutley SC.

• Bywater Investments Limited v Commissioner of Taxation (2016) 260 CLR 391 – the leading case on corporate tax residency. Led by Noel Hutley SC.

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