Richard Donaldson

Senior Associate Norton Rose Fulbright Australia
Richard Donaldson

Richard Donaldson

Biography

Richard is a public law and disputes lawyer based in Canberra. 

Richard has demonstrated experience advising the Commonwealth in complex and sensitive matters. Richard’s experience includes acting for the Commonwealth before the Federal Court, ACT Supreme Court and the Administrative Review Tribunal (formerly the Administrative Appeals Tribunal), including appearing either as instructing solicitor or as a solicitor advocate. In addition, Richard has provided advice on a range of public law issues and supported the Commonwealth to navigate high profile inquiries.

In addition to his legal experience, Richard has worked for an Australian Member of Parliament and has interned at both the United Nations and with the United States Congress. 

Professional experience

Representative experience

Representative experience

Government and administrative law

  • Representing government entities in merits and judicial review applications in relation to government decisions in the Administrative Review Tribunal (formerly the Administrative Appeals Tribunal), Federal Court and Full Federal Court.
  • Providing decision-making advice to government entities, including preparing briefs for decision makers.
  • Providing statutory interpretation advices in relation to legislation administered by various government entities. 
  • Supporting government entities in civil proceedings, including claims of a historic nature.
  • Acting for government entities in alternative dispute resolution processes, involving both represented and unrepresented parties.

Regulatory

  • Providing advice to Commonwealth regulators in relation to the exercise of compliance and enforcement powers.
  • Undertaking review of compliance actions undertaken by Commonwealth regulators.
  • Assisting government and private entities in relation to Royal Commissions.

Privacy and information law

  • Drafting privacy impact assessments for government entities.
  • Assisting government entities to respond to requests under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act), including providing advice on the application of relevant provisions of the FOI Act.

Education

Education

  • Bachelor of Laws (First Class Hons), Monash University (2019)
  • Bachelor of Arts (International Studies Major), Monash University (2019)

Admissions

Admissions

  • Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory 2019
  • High Court of Australia 2019

Memberships and activities

Memberships and activities

  • ACT Law Society 

Languages

Languages

  • English
  • German

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