Elizabeth McDonald

Elizabeth has over 15 years’ experience in native title, clean energy and all areas of property law.

She has negotiated native title agreements and Aboriginal cultural heritage management plans for a range of projects across Australia. She has also advised on tenure, governance and policy issues arising under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act (NSW) 1983.

Passionate about clean energy law, Elizabeth has advised wind and solar project proponents on a variety of legal issues including leases, licences, easements, Crown tenure, native title and power purchase agreements. She recently ran a Renewable Energy Law Clinic course at the University of Newcastle where students had the opportunity to work on community energy projects. In 2019, Elizabeth received an Australian Government Executive Leadership Award for clean energy law.

Elizabeth is known for bringing a unique skillset to legal engagements between organisations and the broader community. Her expertise includes guiding organisations seeking to comply with their legal obligations in a way that builds their social licence to operate.

Elizabeth has acted on commercial, industrial, retail and rural property matters and is a sessional lecturer in property law practice at the University of Newcastle Law School.