Lesley McDonnell

Special Counsel and NSW Law Society Accredited Specialist, Wills and Estates
Lesley McDonnell

Lesley McDonnell is Special Counsel in our Wills and Estates team and a Law Society of NSW Accredited Specialist in Wills and Estates. With more than 20 years’ experience practising in this area, Lesley advises clients on estate planning and estate administration, including grants of probate and letters of administration, complex contested and uncontested estate matters, and family provision claims.

Lesley is committed to helping clients navigate significant life events with clarity and confidence, providing practical and strategic solutions to complex legal issues. She takes a calm and considered approach to sensitive and often emotionally challenging matters, recognising that every client’s circumstances are unique and require tailored advice.

By combining technical expertise with genuine care and empathy, Lesley builds trusted, long-term relationships with her clients and is dedicated to delivering the highest standard of service. She strives to provide clear guidance and support, helping clients make important decisions and move forward with confidence and peace of mind.

Areas of practice

Qualifications and memberships

  • Bachelor of Laws and Diploma of Legal Practice and a Bachelor of Business, University of Newcastle
  • Master of Laws, University of Sydney
  • Master of Laws (Applied Law) majoring in Wills & Estates, College of Law
  • Accredited Specialist in Wills & Estates, NSW Law Society

To arrange an appointment with Lesley, get in touch.

"Trusted advice when it matters most, delivered with compassion, integrity and practical expertise."

Lesley in five words

Empathetic, dedicated, strategic, diligent, trustworthy.

What clients value

Her calm, practical and compassionate approach, and her commitment to outcomes that help them move forward with peace of mind.

Strategic legal guidance when it matters most.

We start with a confidential conversation. There is no jargon and no pressure, just a clear sense of your options and what we would do next.

Latest insights

Expert perspectives, practical guidance and insights.

Why cutting corners on your Will can lead to costly estate litigation
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Why cutting corners on your Will can lead to costly estate litigation

Attempting to save money on a Will can expose an estate to far greater cost later. A recent New South Wales Supreme Court decision illustrates how informal testamentary documents can…
The AML Act and You
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The AML Act and You

The Anti- Money Laundering and Counter- Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth) (“AML Act”), sets out the checks, questions and processes that will soon be implemented to prevent criminals from using…
Unicomb v Blais [2024] NSWSC 903 - Harman Undertaking
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Unicomb v Blais [2024] NSWSC 903 - Harman Undertaking

Purpose To distil the key practical principles from Unicomb v Blais regarding when the Harman undertaking (implied obligation) applies to affidavits and when parties may use such material in subsequent…