Richard Donaldson

Senior Associate Norton Rose Fulbright Australia
Richard Donaldson

Richard Donaldson

Biography

Richard Donaldson is a public law and commercial lawyer based in Canberra.

Richard has demonstrated experience advising Commonwealth Government agencies in complex and sensitive matters. He has experience with government procurement, contracting and major infrastructure projects, including where this involves technical subject matter. He has also appeared regularly on behalf of Commonwealth Government clients in alternative dispute resolution processes and at final hearings. He has managed teams involved with sensitive litigation, such as Royal Commissions and formal discovery.

Richard has over six years of government experience, both in and outside the law. In addition to his legal experience, he 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 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.

 

Commercial

  • Acting for government entities in relation to government procurement, including assisting to prepare contractual documentation and providing support with negotiations.

 

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).

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 (2022)

Languages

Languages

  • English
  • German

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