Mia Donald
PartnerAbout Mia
Mia is a seasoned litigator and solicitor-advocate who advises Commonwealth agencies on a diverse range of regulatory and administrative law issues. She acts in complex, sensitive and high-profile matters before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, Federal Court of Australia, the Full Court of the Federal Court and the High Court of Australia. Mia is adept at advising on litigation strategy and evidentiary issues such as disclosure, submission and admissibility.
What she does
Mia has a particular focus on assisting Commonwealth agencies with taking regulatory and enforcement action, including advising on civil penalty provisions, enforceable undertakings, and injunctions. She regularly draws from her prior criminal law experience in providing support and guidance in respect of these quasi-criminal processes.
Mia is also regularly called upon to advise government clients on the interpretation of various portfolio legislation, particularly where the provisions are highly technical and have broad implications or specific reputational repercussions.
Recognised for her deep understanding of her clients, Mia provides ongoing support to assist her clients with making legally defensible decisions, reviewing and updating policy and internal guidelines, and achieving their policy and regulatory objectives.
Who she works with
Mia works with various Commonwealth Government departments and agencies.
Qualifications
Mia has a Bachelor of Laws and Asian Studies (Specialist) (Korean) from the Australian National University and is admitted to practice at the New York State Bar.
Life before Sparkes
Before joining Sparke Helmore in October 2016, Mia represented unaccompanied children from Central America in Federal Immigration Court and New York State Courts.
Earlier in her career, Mia worked at the Embassy of Australia in Washington, D.C., where she managed a complex and high volume caseload consisting of corporate migration, refugee/humanitarian, family and citizenship matters.
Before working abroad, Mia worked at a Canberra-based law firm for almost seven years, practising in the areas of general liability, catastrophic motor vehicle accidents, medical negligence, product liability disputes, class actions and criminal matters.
Life outside of Sparkes
Mia is an avid yogi and runner who balances her healthy lifestyle with making and consuming wine, cheese and bread.