Laura Donald > BTO Solicitors LLP > Edinburgh, United Kingdom > Lawyer Profile

BTO Solicitors LLP
ONE EDINBURGH QUAY
133 FOUNTAINBRIDGE
EDINBURGH
EH3 9QG
United Kingdom

Work Department

Clinical Defence

Position

Partner and Solicitor Advocate

Laura is a highly experienced solicitor advocate who has worked in the field of clinical negligence for over 20 years. Since 2009, she has practised exclusively in the healthcare field, representing medical and dental members of all three medical defence organisations: (MDDUS, MPS (including DP) and MDU (including DDU).

Her caseload is divided between clinical negligence, handling a caseload across both the Court of Session and Sheriff Courts, and professional discipline. She has been highly ranked for a number of years and continues to operate at the highest levels within her field, regularly carrying out her own advocacy in the courts in respect of Fatal Accident Inquiries, Public Inquiries and claims.

Laura has great experience before the General Medical Council and the General Dental Council and is increasingly being instructed in relation to other professions, generally conducting the interim stages without counsel. She has also represented students before University fitness to practise and disciplinary hearings.

Laura is applauded for her dynamic preparation and is considered “a force to be reckoned with”. She enjoys working with her clients to ensure the best outcomes for them. A “formidable opponent”, her empathy, tenacity, focus and efficiency are second to none and continue to make her a sought-after lawyer in the clinical defence sphere.

Career

Trained at Nightingale and Bell and qualified in 1990. Partner Dundas & Wilson LLP (2000 – 2009); Admitted as Solicitor Advocate (1996).  Partner at BTO Solicitors LLP (2009).

Languages

English.

Memberships

The Law Society of Scotland; Association of Regulatory Lawyers (ARDL)

Education

Dundee University, LLB, Dip LP NP (1988).

Lawyer Rankings

Scotland > Insurance > Medical negligence: defender

(Leading individuals)

Laura DonaldBTO Solicitors LLP

Acting for major UK medical defence organisations, BTO Solicitors LLP represents doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals in complex, high-value and fatal clinical negligence claims before Scottish courts. Public inquiries are another strength of the firm, as are cosmetic claims, which constitute a growing focus area for the team. The group is also regularly instructed by insurers and individuals to defend claims in the private sphere. Practice head Laura Donald is a seasoned litigator with significant experience in fatal accident inquiries and public inquiries, while associate Jill Harris acts for medical and dental professionals. Other key individuals include associates Jennifer King, Natalie McCartney and Cara Docherty, as well as former Brodies LLP partner Duncan Mawby, who joined the firm as a consultant in February 2023.