About The Firm

Established 30 years ago, McDonald Murholme are true pioneers of employment law. We have the highest level of expertise and experience in employment law and the firm has performed work successfully in more employment disputes than any other over the last three decades.

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Pioneers of Employment Law. Serving the whole of Australia.

We resolve issues through successful negotiation.

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About the Principal
The McDonald Murholme team is headed by Mr Alan McDonald.

The McDonald Murholme team is lead by Mr Alan McDonald, Founder and Director. He is the most experienced employment lawyer in Victoria for employees and has mentored and trained around 200 of Australia’s employment lawyers over the last 30 years.

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Why Choose McDonald Murholme?
The most experienced employment lawyer in Victoria for employees and has an outstanding support team.
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We are the go-to law firm when you need a very experienced lawyer, with more successful outcomes for clients than any other.

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We do not take shortcuts, expecting you to book online with no receptionist or communications team support.

We offer a fast,
efficient and affordable service which is highly personalised.

The McDonald Murholme team is headed by Mr Alan McDonald.

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We understand business, and the needs of both employers and employees, and how they must work together to build successful businesses.

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Our lawyers know how to resolve issues through successful
negotiation.

Our clients' satisfaction is pivotal to our own success.
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    “The McDonald Murholme staff made me feel so comfortable, they provided me with great advice and helped me reach an outcome that I was very… more

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    “The McDonald Murholme staff made me feel so comfortable, they provided me with great advice and helped me reach an outcome that I was very happy with.”

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    Sophie Thomson
    Sophie Thomson
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    “Thank you, Edward, Alan and the team. Your support throughout the journey was outstanding. I cannot recommend you enough. I could not be happier. Thank… more

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    “Thank you, Edward, Alan and the team. Your support throughout the journey was outstanding. I cannot recommend you enough. I could not be happier. Thank you again.”

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    Joanne Ferretto
    Joanne Ferretto
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    “Alan and Stephanie were able to turn my workplace nightmare into a financially rewarding experience that I would never have been able to achieve without… more

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    “Alan and Stephanie were able to turn my workplace nightmare into a financially rewarding experience that I would never have been able to achieve without their knowledge and assistance. I am so grateful for the exit strategy they managed to negotiate for me to enable me to move on to a much better opportunity. Huge thanks to all the team at McDonald Murholme for the great work you all do.”

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    Camden Brown
    Camden Brown
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    “Alan, Ned and the team at McDonald Murholme took a genuine interest in my situation. Their advice and guidance helped me quickly achieve a fair… more

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    “Alan, Ned and the team at McDonald Murholme took a genuine interest in my situation. Their advice and guidance helped me quickly achieve a fair settlement from my employer.”

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    Anonymous
    Anonymous
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    “My need for support from McDonald Murholme came at a time when I was also focussing on a couple of other personal issues - both… more

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    “My need for support from McDonald Murholme came at a time when I was also focussing on a couple of other personal issues - both significant but unrelated. The support I received from Alan, Stephanie and the team was incredible - I felt supported at every step of the process and was 100% confident that the matter was being dealt with effectively whilst I addressed other things. Most importantly, however, the team were easy to talk to and kept me fully up to date with progress. Hopefully I'll not have a need to use them again but, if I do, I absolutely would NOT hesitate! Last thing for me to say - THANK YOU McDonald Murholme!”

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    PJ Metcalf
    PJ Metcalf
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    “Alan, Julie and the team at McDonald Murholme helped me through a very stressful time with my employer. Once I contacted and engaged them they… more

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    “Alan, Julie and the team at McDonald Murholme helped me through a very stressful time with my employer. Once I contacted and engaged them they kept me informed and supported me throughout the journey. They took away my stress, were patient with my many questions and most importantly they empowered me. Highly recommend.”

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    Tiffany Richards
    Tiffany Richards
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    “Outstanding, clear and concise advice.”

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    Carl Pallier
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    “Deeply compassionate, understanding and supportive, Helped me through a very difficult decision with sage and timely advice.”

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    Ian Stokol
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We listen to you.

Get in touch with the employment lawyer who has acted for thousands of employees like you.

    Contact McDonald Murholme

    Our office hours

    8:45 am – 5:15 pm Monday to Friday.

    McDonald Murholme – The Essential Australian Employment Lawyers

    From the early 1990’s when radical changes were made to employment law, McDonald Murholme was an exclusive pioneer employment law firm.

    It offered a fast, efficient and affordable legal service to anyone with an employment dispute. It resolved a record number of disputes in the Fair Work Commission and Federal Court of Australia. Inevitably its lawyers built the experience and case law precedents to constantly improve its service delivery.

    The unique nature of every employment law dispute requires attention to detail and a very personal service. That service must be delivered within responsible budgeting because employees and employers have limited resources and need cost effective conflict resolution for an employee / employer dispute.

    Accordingly, McDonald Murholme’ s mission statement for 30 years has been:

    McDonald Murholme is focused on fairness and is dedicated to innovation in the practice of law. It has embraced change and organised to take advantage of it for its clients.

    When you require a knowledgeable and skilful legal advocate and negotiator to resolve your legal disputes, McDonald Murholme has the necessary knowledge and experience to do so, without the prohibitive price tag normally associated with a high quality legal service.

    McDonald Murholme – Employment Lawyers – Melbourne, Sydney and all Australian cities.

    Employment Practice Disciplines

    Modern employment law endeavours to provide rewarding and safe work for employees and a uniform rule base for employers. The rules in the Fair Work Act are comprehensive and exhaustive and the lawyers at McDonald Murholme work in the most specialised manner on all aspects from legal protection of employees facing any form of discrimination or unfair treatment, to companies needing guidance in the management of problematic situations or individuals.

    • Redundancy
    • Performance management plans
    • Whistleblower protection
    • Workplace investigations
    • Restraints of trade
    • Release agreements
    • Stop bullying laws
    • Anti discrimination: age, gender, pregnancy, marital status, social origin, political opinion, right to make a complaint or enquiry.

    McDonald Murholme – Expert Discrimination Lawyers, Redundancy Lawyers and all employment disputes.

    National Employment Service

    Based in Melbourne, McDonald Murholme works in every State and Territory, capital cities and regional areas. There are no geographic barriers. McDonald Murholme offers special assistance to key export and internationally-based industries.

    McDonald Murholme – Expert Australian Employment Lawyers.

    Workplace Lawyers for Employees

    Employees often find it difficult to secure high quality legal service because most law firms, especially the larger ones tend to act only for employers. McDonald Murholme’s expertise is available to anyone, executives on 7 figure incomes to casual employees starting out in their first job.

    McDonald Murholme – Expert Australian Employment Lawyers.

    Workplace Lawyers for Employers

    Some employers find running a successful business under the constraints of the Fair Work Act is challenging. McDonald Murholme guides firms with straightforward and simple advice on complying with the Act and avoiding disputes, making business more profitable.

    McDonald Murholme – resolving workplace conflicts Australia-wide.

    Executives with Shares

    Executives and employees with share options and equity usually are firmly committed to the business success. When the business seeks to remove them, they find that difficult. The harsh truth that they are no longer valued and must fight with the company they have helped to build is difficult for them.

    McDonald Murholme understands these issues and the reputational damage feared by executives if they sue their employer. We know how to resolve the issues without reputational damage to the executive / employee or protracted litigation (in all but a small number of exceptional cases). We support successful businesses but we know how to stand in the shoes of an executive when things have gone wrong. We strategise solutions for both the executive, and the business, based upon the knowledge gained in our sheer weight of experience. Where necessary we have successfully litigated many high profile cases. These cases have involved both private sector and public sector employees, especially in the banking sector, health profession, education providers, sporting industry and state and local government.

    McDonald Murholme – Executive Lawyers – resolving employment conflicts with minimum reputational risk, especially for executives with shares.

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