mcdonald johnson lawyers

What mcdonald johnson lawyers does

McDonald Johnson Lawyers is a boutique legal practice established in 1916 through the merger of two Newcastle, Australia law firms, operating from a single office at The Junction in Newcastle, NSW. The firm provides legal services across nine core practice areas: Commercial and Corporate Law, Property Law, Liquor Licensing and Gaming Law, Insurance Claims and Compensation, Building and Construction Law, Litigation, Wills and Estates, Planning and Environmental Law, and Notary Public Services. Its clients are predominantly businesses, property developers, hospitality operators, and individuals in the Newcastle and Hunter region of New South Wales, with one of the largest property law practices in the local market.

The firm operates as a partnership under Australian law, with no external institutional investors, subsidiaries, or parent entities. After merging with O'Sullivan Saddington in 2018 and then a UK firm in 2019, the firm unwound the UK merger in 2021 and recommenced independent trading under principal Craig Doyle (40+ years as a solicitor, Accredited Specialist in Business Law and Commercial Litigation, 20+ years as a Notary Public) and long-term assistant Cathy Catlow. The current team comprises more than 10 solicitors plus 3 paralegals studying law at Newcastle University. Service delivery is direct via phone, email, and an enquiry form on the firm's website.

Revenue is generated through professional services billed on hourly rates or fixed fees for specific matters, with pricing not publicly disclosed. The go-to-market approach is sales-led, relying on the firm's century-old regional brand, the principal's specialist credentials, and referrals from accountants, real estate agents, and other professionals. The firm also refers property and leasing matters to a partner portal called Lease Hub and trades notary services under the sub-brand 'Newcastle Notary Public'.

Name

mcdonald johnson lawyers

Legal name

McDonald Johnson Lawyers

Website

https://mcdj.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1916

Operating status

Operating

Short description

McDonald Johnson Lawyers is a boutique Newcastle, Australia law firm established in 1916, offering commercial, property, litigation, estate planning, and notary public services to businesses and individuals across the Hunter region of New South Wales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Legal Services

NAICS

Offices of Lawyers (541110)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate & Commercial Law (BPAHAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Litigation Support & Expert Witness Services (BPAHALAG), Personal Injury & Insurance Defense (BPAHAAAM)

Keywords

• Commercial law services
• Property law services
• Litigation and disputes
• Estate planning law
• Notary public services

Headquarters

HQ city

The Junction

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Legal Services: Professional legal services billed on hourly rates or fixed fees for specific matters. Revenue derived from commercial and property transactions, litigation, estate planning, and notary services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

McDonald Johnson Lawyers is a boutique Newcastle law firm providing legal services across nine core practice areas: Commercial Law, Property Law, Liquor Licensing & Gaming Law, Insurance Claims & Compensation, Building & Construction Law, Litigation Law, Wills & Estates, Planning & Environmental Law, and Notary Public Services. The firm serves businesses and individuals in the Newcastle and Hunter region with advisory, transactional, and dispute resolution work delivered by Principal Craig Doyle and supported by paralegals studying law at Newcastle University.

Product overview

McDonald Johnson Lawyers is a boutique Newcastle law practice established in 1916, offering a comprehensive suite of legal services across commercial, property, and dispute resolution domains. The firm operates as a single unified legal practice rather than a platform architecture, providing core services including Commercial Law, Property Law, Litigation Law, Wills & Estates, Building & Construction Law, Planning & Environmental Law, Insurance Claims & Compensation, and Liquor Licensing & Gaming Law. The firm also offers Notary Public services under the trading name 'Newcastle Notary Public' and partners with Lease Hub as a dedicated portal for property law and leasing matters.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Commercial Law Legal advisory services for commercial transactions, business law matters, and corporate law issues, working with other professionals to provide accurate and appropriate advice to commercial and business clients.
• Property Law Comprehensive legal services covering all types of property transactions, described as one of the largest property law practices in the Hunter region with a strong reputation and extensive experience in property matters.
• Liquor Licensing & Gaming Law Specialised legal services for the liquor and gaming industry assisting hoteliers, licensed clubs, restaurateurs, and investors with liquor licence transfers and compliance with the Liquor Act, including harm minimisation and responsible service of alcohol course requirements.
• Insurance Claims & Compensation Legal assistance in the resolution of insurance disputes, helping clients understand the terms of insurance policies and explaining legal concepts such as exclusion clauses and disclaimers.
• Building & Construction Law Legal advisory services at all stages of commercial, residential, or industrial construction projects to minimise risk and fulfil clients' commercial objectives.
• Litigation Law Legal representation advising and acting for clients seeking to exercise or enforce their legal rights or defend claims made against them in commercial and business disputes.
• Wills & Estates Estate planning and administration services including drafting wills with testamentary trusts, preparing Powers of Attorney and Appointments of Enduring Guardians, administering estates, and applying for grants of Probate and Letters of Administration.
• Planning & Environmental Law Legal services for land and environmental matters, including representation in the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales to progress development consent following refusals at the local council level, including for prominent property development groups.
• Notary Public Services International document notarisation services including Verification of Identity and Documents, Certificates of Authentication, and Apostille documentation, provided by Craig Doyle as a Notary Public with over 20 years of experience and life membership of the Australian and New Zealand College of Notaries.

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and major.

• UK Firm (Name Not Disclosed)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Merged with a UK firm in 2019. This merger was unwound in 2021 when the firm recommenced trading as a Newcastle practice. Details of the UK firm not disclosed.
• O'Sullivan SaddingtonmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018O'Sullivan Saddington merged with McDonald Johnson Lawyers in 2018, expanding the firm's capabilities and team size. This merger contributed to the firm's growth to more than 10 solicitors.
• Lease HubminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner portal assisting with property law and leasing advice matters. Helps clients understand leasing contracts and tenant obligations. McDonald Johnson directs property law and leasing clients to this partner.
• JezwebminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWebsite development and design agency responsible for the firm's website maintenance.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

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