Melissa McDonald brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her role as Legal Practitioner Director at Griffiths McDonald Carson. Growing up on the Sunshine Coast, Melissa's legal journey began early on when she joined a large Sunshine Coast legal firm in 1999. She had the privilege of working under the guidance of esteemed practitioners such as Kennedy Bennett Fox, Brian Gordon Fox, and Colin Mildwaters until their retirement in 2014. Admitted as a lawyer in February 2015, Melissa possesses qualifications from the University of Southern Queensland and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Australian National University. Her admission as a practitioner in Queensland and the High Court of Australia underscores her commitment to the legal profession. Melissa is passionate about estate administration and litigation while also thriving in varied legal fields. Her expertise spans succession law, estate administration, contesting wills, and family provision applications. Her proficiency extends to property and conveyancing, commercial transactions, leasing, family law, and domestic violence matters. Furthermore, Melissa adeptly handles Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal cases related to debt recovery and neighbourhood disputes. Her courtroom experience includes appearances in the Supreme Court, District Court, Magistrates Court, and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, offering clients comprehensive legal support. Melissa's career path reflects her commitment to client-focused service, having started in office administration and trust accounting, then progressing through various roles at firms like Fox Mildwaters and Fox Taylor Mildwaters. Since joining Griffiths Lawyers in 2017, encouraged by Ian Griffiths, Melissa has embraced a family-oriented firm culture while consistently providing high-quality legal services. As a partner in the rebranded Griffiths McDonald Carson, she continues to deliver professional and efficient assistance, guided by her deep understanding of her clients' needs and circumstances. With over two decades in the legal field, Melissa McDonald remains dedicated to offering continuity and personalised legal guidance across diverse legal matters.
Legal Practitioner Director
Griffiths McDonald Carson
Jul 2023 - Present • 3 years 4 months
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Lawyer
Griffiths Lawyers
Jun 2017 - Nov 2023 • 6 years 5 months
Lawyer
FOCUS FAMILY LAW
Jan 2016 - Feb 2017 • 1 year 1 month
Lawyer
Hinton Sargent
Jun 2015 - Jul 2015 • 1 month
Lawyer
MRB Law
Jun 2015 - Dec 2015 • 6 months
Lawyer
Fox Taylor Mildwaters Lawyers
Feb 2015 - May 2015 • 3 months
Senior Paralegal
Fox Mildwaters
Feb 1999 - Feb 2015 • 16 years
Graduate Diploma, Legal Studies, General
The Australian National University
2014
Bachelor’s Degree, Law
University of Southern Queensland
2011 - 2014
Last checked: 9 Mar 2026 • Checked with Queensland Law Society
