A Specialist Firm You Can Trust with Your Clients
Donaldson Law is a national practice focused on abuse law, Defence and ADF matters, personal integrity violations and reparation pathways. We do not run a general personal injuries practice.
We work with lawyers, medical and mental health professionals, support services and advocacy bodies whose clients have experienced abuse or serious institutional harm. Our role is to provide specialist legal advice in a way that is consistent with the therapeutic and professional work you are already doing.
Who We Work With
We regularly receive referrals from
- lawyers and law firms
- GPs
- psychologists and psychiatrists
- social workers and counsellors
- community legal centres and advocacy services
- veterans organisations and ex service groups
- support services and peak bodies
Some referrers want to stay closely involved. Others prefer to hand over and step back. We are comfortable working either way provided your client’s safety and consent remain at the centre.
How We Protect Your Relationship
We understand that when you refer a client or patient you are placing trust in us as well as sharing responsibility for their care. We are careful to
- Respect your role
We recognise that you may have a therapeutic, advisory or ongoing professional relationship with the person. We do not undermine that relationship or try to take over roles that sit properly with you. - Seek consent to stay in touch
With your client’s permission we can keep you updated at a level that is appropriate for your role whether that means broad progress updates or more specific information relevant to treatment or support. - Be clear about boundaries
We stay within our lane as lawyers and we do not give therapeutic advice. Where we identify risks or needs outside our expertise we will encourage your client to speak with you or another suitable professional.
Maintain confidentiality and ethics
All referrals are handled in line with legal professional privilege and privacy obligations. We are careful about what we put in writing and where copies go, particularly for clients in unsafe environments.
When It May Help To Refer
A referral to Donaldson Law may be appropriate where your client or patient
- has disclosed childhood abuse or institutional abuse and wants to know if there are legal options
- is involved in a redress or ex gratia scheme and wants independent advice about fairness and alternatives
- has experienced abuse or harmful culture in Defence or as an ADF member or veteran
- is struggling with a decision about whether to report abuse or cooperate with an institutional process
- has had a past claim or settlement that appears very low or was reached under heavy pressure
- needs help navigating the interaction between civil claims, National Redress, victims support schemes and reparation payments
You do not need to decide in advance whether there is a viable claim. A referral can simply be a way of giving them space to explore options with a firm that does this work every day.
How it Works
- Get in touch by phone, email, or online
- We contact your client promptly and professionally
- You stay in the loop as much or as little as you prefer
- We don’t poach, your client remains yours
Contact Us Today
to Explore How we
Can Work Together.
Referrals work best when they’re built on trust and alignment. If you’re looking for a reliable legal partner to support your clients, Donaldson Law is here to help.