Lauren McDonald Solicitor
Employment Law
Lauren McDonald is a Solicitor in the Employment team at Swinburne Maddison, having qualified in September 2026. She graduated from Northumbria University with a First Class LLB Law degree before completing her LLM in Legal Practice, graduating with a Commendation.
Prior to beginning her training contract, Lauren spent 16 months working in-house within the legal team of a large financial services company, where she gained valuable commercial experience across a broad range of legal matters, including contractual issues, debt recovery, intellectual property and HR support. She subsequently completed her training contract at a North East law firm, undertaking seats in Dispute Resolution, Commercial, Commercial Property and Employment.
Lauren is approachable, empathetic and understanding. She is passionate about helping clients navigate legal challenges that can often be stressful and complex.
• Settlement Agreements
• Staff Handbooks and Workplace Policies
• Redundancy and Restructuring
• Employment Support for Corporate Transactions
• Employment Tribunal Claims
Lauren advises employers and employees on a range of employment law matters. Her experience includes preparing settlement agreements, carrying out merits assessments for potential Employment Tribunal claims, reviewing and updating staff handbooks, and supporting businesses with day-to-day employment queries.
She has experience assisting with corporate transactions through employment due diligence and corporate support work, as well as preparing employment documentation as part of redundancy exercises. Lauren has also drafted instructions to counsel and regularly undertakes legal research on complex employment law issues.
Lauren’s previous in-house experience gives her a strong understanding of the commercial realities facing businesses. She combines legal expertise with a practical approach, helping clients find resolutions to support their wider objectives.
News & Insights
Insight
What is a Restrictive Covenant and should you be concerned when buying a property?
When buying a property, your conveyancer may mention something called a restrictive covenant. The term can sound alarming, particularly for first-time buyers or those planning alterations to their new home. In reality, restrictive covenants are very common and, in many cases, have existed for decades. The key is understanding what the covenant says and whether […]
Read moreInsight
Autumn Budget 2026: What do employers and HR professionals need to know?
The 2026 Budget contains a number of measures for employers to consider as they plan their workforce strategy, recruitment and employment costs for the year ahead. Against a backdrop of continued change in employment law, the measures cover pay, parental support, recruitment and skills, while the Government’s wider investment in artificial intelligence raises further questions […]
Read moreInsight
Autumn Budget 2026: What does it mean for your Estate Planning?
Following today’s Autumn Budget 2026, much of the immediate attention will inevitably be on the measures affecting household finances. But for individuals and families thinking about how to protect and pass on their wealth, it is also a useful opportunity to take stock of their longer-term plans. Estate planning rarely revolves around one tax change […]
Read more
Careers at Swinburne Maddison
Bright futures built together.
Ok, so you’ve come this far where could the next step take you?
We’re always on the lookout for great people to join our team but we also want to make sure we are the right fit for each other.
Here, your career is more than a job—it’s a journey. From day one, you’ll feel supported to grow, develop your skills, and thrive alongside a team that values collaboration and care. Whether you’re a legal eagle or a support extraordinaire, we focus on helping you succeed in an environment where you truly belong. Let’s achieve great things together.