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Inspirational Leaders In Law
Linda Leong Sole Principal McDonald Leong Lawyers
McDonald Leong Lawyers 85 Thuringowa Drive Kirwan Telephone 4723 5155 Email general@mcdleong.com.au www.mcdonaldleong.com.au
Linda was born in Townsville and her parents and extended family have always been in business in Townsville. From her teenage years, Linda’s parents involved her in their consultations with their solicitor, which kindled her interest in the law. Linda was one of the first graduates in Law from James Cook University. At the young age of 24, she was the first from her graduating year to become a partner in private practice when she became a partner of McDonald Leong Lawyers. Since commencing with the firm, Linda has seen the firm grow from four employees to a firm now employing 16 staff. During this time, Linda was the managing partner and oversaw the growth of the firm. She became the sole principal of McDonald Leong Lawyers following the retirement of the Senior Partner, Mark McDonald, in May 2015. Linda is recognised for her outstanding advocacy skills and legal knowledge and is a source of inspiration for young practitioners. The mentoring of young solicitors is a passion of Linda’s and is not limited to her staff. Linda enjoys working with young solicitors and encourages the exchange of ideas and new approaches to legal issues. “Although I’m imparting knowledge, I also gain different perspectives from my interaction with other practitioners on matters we are working on.”
Linda is also a role model, particularly for female practitioners wishing to advance into management of their legal firm. Linda has been able to successfully combine the challenges of running a legal practice, managing her own case load and the demands of being a mother. McDonald Leong has a tradition of ‘growing their own’ solicitors with most of the solicitors in the firm commencing their employment while still undertaking their university studies. By the time they are admitted to practise, they are relatively experienced in the areas of law in which they have been working. “I’ve been lucky in that, over the past 20 years, the majority of these solicitors have remained with the firm,” Linda say. “It’s satisfying to see each of them develop into a competent solicitor with comments made by clients, judges and other solicitors about their abilities and professional conduct.” McDonald Leong Lawyers has been providing legal advice and assistance to the people of Townsville since 1993, with some clients having been with the firm for three generations. While Linda practises predominately in personal injuries, wills and estates, the firm provides services in conveyancing, family law, traffic infringements, criminal law, small business and commercial leasing.
February 2016 DUOMagazine
97