Greg Ellis, CEO, Rinnai Australia Pty Ltd

“Dealing with international trade, local manufacture, wholesaling and retail operations within rapidly changing business environments requires solid understanding of commerce, governance, compliance and risk assessment. Michael’s knowledge and his team at mdp provide a range of services that is differentiated from many of the larger firms on account of his personal involvement and strategic alignment with our business. This is a firm that is fast responding with considered and pragmatic advice from senior practitioners, and I would recommend mdp McDonald Partners in matters of law, mergers and acquisitions and strategic commercial matters without hesitation.”


Reed Leighton, CEO, Leighton O'Brien Pty Ltd:

“mdp McDonald Partners has been advising Leighton O'Brien since 1998. The great benefit of the firm's advice is that while it is of a commercial nature, it is also based on the foundation of a sound corporate commercial strategy.

mdp McDonald Partners has given us advice in relation to international licensing agreements and negotiated contracts with our international partners. We have also consulted mdp for advice on our corporate structure, both in Australia and overseas. The difference between other firms' legal advice and the advice of mdp McDonald Partners is the commercial acumen that is at the heart of the firm's culture. When you work with mdp McDonald Partners, you work with and develop relationships with the entire firm, not just Michael McDonald.

We would not hesitate to recommend mdp McDonald Partners to any business because of the practical and commercial approach that has helped us to successfully grow our business.”


Terry Blamey, Terry Blamey Management Group of Companies (Kylie Minogue’s Manager):

“mdp McDonald Partners advise my clients on on-going complex international trade mark issues in a most timely manner. All at the firm take their work seriously and are nothing if not completely thorough in all they tackle. Aside from this, Michael McDonald himself is an absolute delight and a pleasure to deal with”


Danny Stutterd, Barrett Property Group (Porter Davis Homes):

“We wanted to expand our business without having to divert resourced or distract the Directors’ attention away from our current operations. Michael’s legal experience and commercial nous helped us find the right way to do this.”


Brain Condon, Lexicon:

“Our business relies heavily on the partnerships we develop. We also require sound advice on protecting and developing our IP. Without question, the advice and support we have received from Michael and his team has allowed us to grow our business with confidence and protect our market position.”


Alan Littley, Pinnacle Partners:

“In 2004, Michael McDonald conducted a workshop for Pinnacle Partners which fundamentally refocussed our business. Since then, the business has grown and matured. Pinnacle Partners has become a vibrant and successful leader in its field, recognised by awards from AXA and others. In 2005, we were awarded “Dealer of the year”. As proof of the business’ maturity, I was able to take seven weeks’ leave for the first time ever in confidence that senior people were in place to run the business in my absence. This is the underlying value of what mdp McDonald Partners called “Succession Planning”.”


Peter Dodgshun, Teamworx Australia Pty Ltd

“We deal extensively locally and overseas so it is important that our Intellectual Property is secure. Mdp McDonald Partners’ specialised Intellectual Property knowledge means that we know our brand value is protected. Mdp McDonald Partners understand from a business perspective to value of our brand and intellectual property to us and have been able to provide prompt and knowledgeable advice when needed.”


Mike Raselli, Charter Financial Planning Ltd:

“The whole structure of our business was analysed, recommendations made and process established. Today we are a “Leader Practice” focused on our core business – financial planning. We have increased significantly our gross revenue and profitability. We now operate with clearly defined and measureable objectives. I would not hesitate to recommend mdp McDonald Partners to your practice and appropriate clients.”


Russell and Dianne Bath, Directors, Picton Management Services Pty Ltd:

“Picton Management Services first sought the advice and assistance of mdp McDonald Partners in the area of business advice, as we were negotiating a contract with an insurance company to market their products. I had just been retrenched, and it was important to quickly implement a contract for our family company to provide services in return for ongoing commission payments.

I was keen to pursue a commercial relationship on the basis of a simple two page letter and a handshake, trusting that the people I was dealing with had honourable intentions. However, mdp McDonald Partners insisted that we formalise the relationship through the formulation of a comprehensive contract. This initial advice was invaluable. It enabled us to negotiate a contract that protected our long-term interests.
During the course of the commission arrangement, there were attempts by other parties to vary the arrangement. In each instance, we sought mdp’s advice to appropriately document any variations and to preserve the integrity of the ongoing commission entitlements. Documenting and implementing these changes in a comprehensive manner proved to be vital when the inevitable occurred.

After seven years of a successful contractual arrangement, the company we were dealing with changed management, and then sought to challenge various aspects of the contract – specifically, the commission entitlements. This forced us to engage counsel, senior counsel and the Supreme Court to enforce our rights under the original contract.
Following a three-year legal battle, we have achieved a mediated settlement which is very much to our satisfaction. In the words of our senior counsel, our ongoing entitlements are ‘successfully enshrined forever’. Initially engaging mdp McDonald Partners and having their involvement and support in every step of our contractual matters was one of, if not the, best business decisions we have ever made.

We now progress to the succession planning phase. We will be again seeking the assistance of mdp McDonald Partners to keep our corporate structure and wills under review on a regular basis.”