Meet our team

Mark (BA LLB Hons, University of Melbourne) leads the specialist employment law team at MDC Legal. He has over 25 years legal practice, mainly in industrial and employment law, with a background as Chief Justice David Malcolm’s Associate, at a commercial litigation firm, then at a national firm, and then as Principal Solicitor of the Employment Law Centre before establishing MDC Legal in January 2010. Mark has been named by Best Lawyers in 2025 and by Doyles as a “market leader” each year since 2017. In addition to providing strategic infrastructural, dispute resolution and compliance advice to start ups and established businesses, not for profits, governmental and regulatory authorities, Mark has conducted litigation and acted as counsel in several state and federal jurisdictions on “both sides of the fence” in advancing or defending a wide variety of litigation, including injunctions and restraint matters, contractual claims, general protections and unfair dismissal claims, bullying and discrimination claims, protected industrial action, and demarcation disputes.

Alison (BEc UWA, LLB Murdoch University, LLM Birkbeck College, University of London) is a Senior Associate at MDC Legal. Alison is an experienced employment lawyer who has worked extensively with senior executives, employees, employers and trade unions. During a long period in the UK, Alison has previously been a partner in a national firm, and subsequently a founding partner in a boutique firm, both of which specialised in employment and discrimination law. Since returning to Australia she has worked in both the WA State and Federal systems, advising clients on dismissals, general protections and discrimination and helping them to negotiate good results. She enjoys working with HR departments to support the resolution of issues at an early stage. Alison is also a qualified investigator.

Monica (BCom, Curtin University, LLB, Murdoch University) is a Senior Associate at MDC Legal. Monica won the Law Society’s Emerging Lawyer of the Year Award in 2022. Monica has previous experience as a human resources consultant and as an industrial relations consultant advising employers on all aspects of employment relations. Prior to joining MDC Legal, Monica worked at a boutique workplace and commercial law firm in Melbourne and then as part of the litigation team in a Perth law firm. Monica has experience advising and advocating for both employees and employers and enjoys working with clients to achieve pragmatic outcomes.

Thilini Kotuwegoda (BCom, JD, University of Western Australia) is an Associate at MDC Legal. Thilini graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Western Australia in 2021 and completed her Practical Legal Training with the College of Law in 2022. Thilini conducts legal research and drafts court documents, advice to clients and correspondence with courts, tribunals and other parties. She has also assisted in preparing unfair dismissal and general protections claims and responses, and deeds of settlement. Prior to joining MDC Legal, Thilini volunteered at several organisations, including Circle Green Community Legal Centre, where she assisted the Employment Law team and Gosnells Community Legal Centre, assisting the Domestic Violence team.

Paul Hyun (LLB and BCOM, Curtin University) is a lawyer at MDC Legal. Paul graduated with a Bachelor of Law from Curtin University in 2022 and completed his Practical Legal Training with Curtin University through its Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. Paul advises on all aspects of employment law and has experience in assisting with conducting workplace investigations, preparing and responding to unfair dismissal and general protections claims, advising clients on the resolution of disputes and drafting court documents, employment contracts and policies, deed and other legal documents. Prior to joining MDC Legal, Paul has worked at private law firms specialising in workplace law. Paul comes from a Korean background and is also fluent in the language.

Sandra (BArts, JD, University of Western Australia) is a lawyer at MDC Legal. Sandra graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Western Australia in 2023 and completed her Practical Legal Training with the College of Law in 2025. Prior to joining MDC Legal, Sandra worked as an Associate to Justice Forrester of the WA Supreme Court. Most recently, she contributed to major government projects at the State Solicitor’s Office, while also tutoring JD students at the University of Western Australia on a casual basis. Sandra is interested in all aspects of Employment Law, particularly involving dispute resolution, in drafting contracts and settlement documents. Sandra is fluent in French.

Nathan (BPPE, JD, University of Western Australia) is a Law Graduate at MDC Legal. Nathan graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Western Australia in 2025 and is currently completing his Practical Legal Training with Piddington Society. Nathan assists the team with legal research in all aspects of Employment Law, in preparation of court documents and legal claims and responses. Prior to joining MDC Legal, Nathan interned at Legal Aid in the Criminal Division, and at the Law Society of Western Australia as an Education Officer, assisting students with various court processes.

Gabrielle (LLB and BBehSc, University of Notre Dame Australia) is a Law Graduate at MDC Legal. Gabrielle holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Behavioural Science and is currently completing her Practical Legal Training with the College of Law. Gabrielle conducts legal research and drafts legal documents, including contracts and deeds of settlement and assists lawyers at MDC Legal in providing advice to clients. Prior to joining MDC Legal, Gabrielle worked in a private law firm practising in commercial law and litigation. She also volunteered at Sussex Street Community Law Service, working on discrimination matters.

Lauren is the firm’s Office Manager. Her focus is on coordinating and strengthening the operational backbone of the firm, supporting the delivery of efficient, consistent, and high-quality legal services.

Lauren brings extensive experience across administrative operations and executive-level support, optimising systems, improving workflows, and ensuring seamless coordination across teams.

By maintaining strong internal processes and aligning business with the needs of the firm’s clients and legal practitioners, Lauren’s role enables lawyers to focus on client outcomes.

Zoe is a Receptionist and Administrative Assistant part-time at the firm. Zoe is presently enrolled in her second year of a Bachelor of Commerce in the Juris Doctor stream at UWA.