Peta is the Managing Director of Better Lawyers Group and provides strategic leadership across Donaldson Law’s abuse, Defence and integrity practice. Drawing on a background in complex business, property and disputes work she focuses on designing clear legal strategies for some of the firm’s most challenging matters.

At Donaldson Law Peta’s day to day work centres on identifying causes of action and pathways that are not always obvious at first glance. She is often involved in matters where there are overlapping civil claims, redress schemes, superannuation or DVA entitlements, human rights or discrimination issues and potential reparation payments. Her strength lies in stepping back from the immediate dispute to map the whole picture then building a strategy that is legally sound and realistic for the person living with its consequences.

Colleagues regularly seek Peta’s input on questions such as

• which defendants or respondents should properly be named
• how to frame pleadings so they reflect both the lived experience and the legal elements
• when to use negotiated or restorative options and when to escalate to formal litigation
• how different jurisdictions, limitation regimes and statutory schemes interact in a particular matter

As Managing Director Peta also plays a key role in how work is done at Donaldson Law. She is closely involved in

• structuring teams on files so no one carries a difficult matter alone
• embedding the firm’s values of collegiality, care, clarity, accountability and innovation into everyday decisions
• mentoring lawyers and support staff in strategic thinking and written advocacy
• setting expectations around communication, boundaries and wellbeing in a practice area that is demanding by its nature

Before establishing Better Lawyers Group and founding Enterprise Legal Peta spent many years acting in complex commercial and property matters. That experience of contracts, disputes and negotiation now informs how she approaches abuse, ADF and integrity work. She is known for straight talking advice, a low tolerance for unnecessary gamesmanship and a focus on outcomes that make practical sense for clients over the long term.

Peta regularly presents to lawyers and other professionals on practice management, legal strategy and healthier ways of doing high stakes work. Inside Donaldson Law she is the person the team turns to when a matter needs a different angle, a decision needs to be tested or a difficult call has to be made about the next step.