An Edinburgh based lawyer who started with the Royal Bank of Scotland as a trainee and rose through the ranks with one of the biggest banks in the world, is to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Scottish Legal Awards this week.
Donald Macdonald, now Deputy General Counsel of Natwest Group which includes Royal Bank of Scotland, will collect the award on Friday, the day of his retirement from the business he started with in 1992.
The presentation will be made at the 20th annual Scottish Legal Awards at the EICC when over 500 will celebrate achievements in the Scottish legal sector.
Lorna Jack, Chair of the Scottish Legal Awards judging panel, commented;
“Donald Macdonald is particularly admired for his work in social inclusion and creating access into the legal profession to many lawyers who may otherwise would have found opportunities impossible. His plans for retirement made his nomination relevant and everyone involved in the Scottish Legal Awards congratulate him and wish him well for the next chapter.”
His commitment to the development of in-house lawyers showed vision and leadership and helped to set a benchmark for in-house legal departments across other sectors. He is noted by colleagues as being an inspirational lawyer who worked hard to give opportunities to many who found access to a career in the law very difficult.
Kenny Robertson, Head of the Outsourcing, Technology & IP legal team at Natwest Group, commented:
“I am truly thrilled that Donald will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. His unwavering dedication, leadership and inspirational career has left a mark across our organisation.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award is sponsored by The Times and the award will be presented personally by Magnus Llewellin, Editor of The Times and Sunday Times. He commented;
“We are delighted to present Donald Macdonald with a personal award and extend our congratulations on his well-deserved accomplishment at the Scottish Legal Awards. He is an outstanding inspiration to countless individuals working in the legal industry and an excellent role model of a legal leader.”
A full interview with Donald Macdonald written by Greig Cameron appeared in Friday’s edition of The Times and can be accessed here:
"Donald Macdonald honoured for 33-year career at Scottish Legal Awards"