MDP - Key Persons

David is an accounts, administrative and trade marks assistant who makes a positive contribution to mdp and our clients by providing invaluable support to the legal team.

Job Titles:

• Practice Manager
• Practice Manager & Mdp Board Member

Dianne McDonald pioneers new technologies and initiatives that help mdp build a cohesive team with top tier legal talent and enduring client relationships. She keeps mdp's day-to-day operations running smoothly and her eye on what's next, which benefits the people, the work, and the business. Dianne McDonald pioneers initiatives and technologies that help mdp build a cohesive team, with top-tier legal talent and enduring client relationships. She keeps mdp's day-to-day operations running smoothly and her eye on what's next, which benefits the people, the work, and the business. Dianne believes an engaging and supportive work environment is the key to a successful law practice. She champions diversity & inclusion, promotes mental health & well-being, and work/life balance is the hallmark of mdp's culture. An early adopter of flexible and remote working, Dianne implemented secure systems to enable the mdp team to support clients around the world, from any location or time zone. The practice became paper-light in 2014 when at least 95% of law firms were still dependent on physical files. This forward-thinking ensured a quick and smooth transition for all staff working from home during the recent pandemic. Dianne has a background in industrial relations, health care, business ownership and office management. A member of the mdp board, Dianne manages financial reporting, compliance, and firm accreditation with professional bodies including the Law Institute of Victoria, Legal Services Board, Legal Practitioners Liability Committee, Victorian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and The Melbourne College of Law. Education Mental Health First Aid for Legal Professionals, The Melbourne College of Law Certificate, Computer Business Applications, Kangan Institute of Technology Applied Science, Melbourne Dental School (former Victoria School of Dental Therapy) Expertise Legal practice management Financial management Human resources and recruitment Premises management Technology and system implementation

Job Titles:

• Partner

Eliza Low is an accomplished corporate and commercial lawyer who helps multinational corporations, entrepreneurial businesses and successful family-owned companies realise their investments, navigate legal risks and avoid unnecessary costs. Eliza achieves outstanding results for her clients by acting early and accurately to create legal solutions that best meet their commercial objectives and with minimal disruption. Eliza has achieved favourable outcomes for high-profile clients across a full range of legal matters and industries from IT to energy, FMCG, manufacturing, industrial, retail and financial services. Her ability to solve even the most complex legal challenges efficiently is attributed to her focused, pragmatic approach. Eliza honed her skills at Baker McKenzie, one of the largest international law firms, and spent nine years working on multi-jurisdictional deals, billion-dollar transactions, IPOs and corporate restructures in both the Australian and UK offices. Education Deakin University, LLB, BA (Hons) College of Law, Grad Dip Legal Practice

Job Titles:

• Senior Associate

Fern Choo is a corporate and commercial lawyer who advises early-stage start-up and small to medium enterprise clients on corporate structuring, commercialisation, and market expansion. Fern Choo is a corporate and commercial lawyer who advises clients, including early-stage start-ups and small to medium enterprises, on corporate structuring, commercialisation and market expansion. Fern tailors holistic legal solutions to meet her clients' business objectives; she identifies possibilities, resolves problems and delivers practical strategies with a particular focus on corporate governance, business and IP commercialisation, and technology agreements. Fern's interest in the technology industry also assists her in advising clients on various technology and software matters including SaaS and software development agreements. Fern has advised on corporate ownership models, IP ownership and commercialisation, and preparation for sale and market expansion for clients in the IT, MedTech, manufacturing, property development and marketing industries. From property to intellectual property, Fern's well-rounded experience as a corporate lawyer in the areas of IP, commercial property and banking and finance provides both legal and commercial expertise to help mdp clients protect and maximise the profitability of their business assets - whether physical or intangible. Education Bachelor of Laws, Monash University Graduate Diploma Legal Practice, Australian National University Certificate of Legal Practice Part I, Legal Profession Qualifying Board, Malaysia

Job Titles:

• Partner
• Partner ( Admitted in Scotland and England & Wales Only )

Francesca Senda is a commercial and corporate lawyer with an entrepreneur's eye for opportunity who helps clients realise their strategic objectives. She has a keen interest in technology and negotiating technology-based contracts. For more than 15 years, Francesca has advised clients on a range of commercial and corporate matters and negotiated M&A deals worth $500k to $10b in the banking, finance, transport, healthcare, FMCG, logistics, utilities and telecommunications sectors. Francesca has navigated operational, stakeholder, and regulatory complexity to deliver transformative transactions and profitable results for start-ups, ASX-listees, multi-industry consortiums, for-purpose organisations and leading innovators. Her law career has taken her from Edinburgh to London, Singapore to Melbourne, and from corporate boutique Dickson Minto to premier international law firms Hogan Lovells and MinterEllison. Francesca has an in-depth understanding of business management that only direct industry experience can bring. In addition to her extensive legal background, Francesca has run digital agency teams, consulted with space technology clients, co-founded a specialist online retail brand and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. Education Grad Dip Legal Practice, Glasgow Graduate School of Law LLB (Hons), The University of Edinburgh (Admitted in Scotland and England & Wales only) Business Management (Foundation), Cass Business School, City University of London

Job Titles:

• Executive Assistant
• Intellectual Property Administrator and Executive Assistant

Liz is a patent and intellectual property administrator and executive assistant who works with our mdp Directors and legal team, ensuring critical deadlines are met, and clients are best served. Liz Kershaw is a patent and intellectual property administrator and executive assistant who works with mdp Directors and legal teams, ensuring critical deadlines are met, and clients are best served. Liz has worked in Trade Mark and IP Law for 8 years and thoroughly understands the importance of accuracy, timeliness, detail and client confidentiality. A vital member of the administration operations team, she also manages mdp's marketing newsletters, insights blog and website, keeping principals, legal teams, associates and clients informed about industry-relevant news and legislative developments. Liz completed a Certificate III in Business Administration while at Fisher Adams Kelly Callinans (FAKC) before joining the tier-one firm, Davies Collison Cave (DCC), to work on iconic trademarks for brands such as Nintendo, Breville, Coles, Burberry, Selena Gomez and more.

Job Titles:

• Founder
• Managing Partner

Michael McDonald is an intellectual property and commercial lawyer who helps Australian entrepreneurs, established businesses and international operators position for growth, shelter from risk and structure for longevity. Michael provides commercially driven legal and operational advice to high-tech startups, mid-cap companies, private-public joint ventures, and many of Australia's prominent corporate leaders, institutions, and industry bodies. An insightful business advisor, Michael works in partnership with clients from day one to ensure their strategic objectives and ambitions, from startup to maturity, inform his every perspective.

Job Titles:

• Finance Manager
• Registered BAS Agent

Pauline Hurrey is a registered BAS Agent and bookkeeper specialising in the legal profession who ensures mdp complies with business tax reporting obligations. Pauline assists the mdp board, management and administration team with all facets of bookkeeping including BAS and IAS lodgements, trust accounts, GST, payroll tax, superannuation, WorkCover, accounts payable and internal financial reporting. Pauline has more than 25 years' experience as a bookkeeper in industries including legal services, building and construction, manufacturing, and she commenced her own contract bookkeeping business in 2012. Education Associate Degree in Business and Commerce (Accounting), Monash University Certificate IV Accounting and Bookkeeping Member, Institute of Certified Bookkeepers BAS Agent, Taxation Practitioners Bureau Expertise Law firms GST Payroll/PAYG Bookkeeping