meet shelby

Shelby MacDonald

SENIOR ASSOCIATE

Shelby is one of our experienced Senior Family Law Associates. Shelby was recently rewarded for her hard work and dedication by being named as a ‘Rising Star’ for Brisbane in the prestigious Doyles Guide.

After completing her Law Degree in 2016, Shelby was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia.

Dedicated to ensuring the best results for her clients, Shelby’s practical and understanding approach ensures that wherever possible, timely and cost-effective resolutions are reached for our clients. She has completed a dual Masters in Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution to further her knowledge and skills in Family Law and provide outstanding results for her clients and now practices as a Mediator, Parenting Coordinator and Family Lawyer.

Shelby is experienced in all areas of Family Law including parenting, property, binding financial agreements, child support and family and domestic and violence matters. Shelby is also a qualified and experienced Parenting Coordinator and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (Mediator). Shelby previously practiced as criminal lawyer and is an accredited Criminal and Domestic Violence Duty Lawyer. She regularly advocates for her clients in Courts of varying jurisdictions, from local Magistrates and Children’s Courts, District and Supreme Courts of Queensland, and in the Family Law Courts. Shelby also supports separated parents and spouses working as a parenting coordinator and mediator of disputes.

You are in very safe hands with Shelby on your side and can rely on her expertise and experience to guide and support you through your separation.

Qualifications & Accreditations:

  • Masters of Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution with the College of Law, 2023
  • Admitted to the High Court of Australia, 2017 and Supreme Court of Queensland, 2016
  • Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Arts University of Queensland, 2016
  • Criminal and Domestic Violence Duty Lawyer Accreditation
  • Women’s Legal Service Queensland volunteer solicitor
  • Parenting Coordinator, 2023
  • Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, 2023
  • Member Family Law Practitioners Association
  • Member Queensland Law Society
  • Member Family Law Section Law Council of Australia
  • Member Pacifica Congress
  • Member Parenting Coordination Australia
  • Member Australian Institute of Family Arbitrators and Mediators

Areas of Practice:

  • Complex Property Settlements
  • Complex Parenting Disputes
  • Parenting Coordination
  • Children’s Matters
  • Grandparent representation
  • Mediation and Family Dispute Resolution
  • Consent Orders and Parenting Plans
  • Child Protection
  • Divorce
  • Domestic Violence matters
  • Binding Financial Agreements
  • Binding and Limited Child Support Agreements

your expert team of Family Lawyers and Mediators

Sarah Cleeland

PRINCIPAL SOLICITOR

Shelby MacDonald

SENIOR ASSOCIATE

Matt Stimpson

SPECIAL COUNSEL

Kathryn McLoughlin

SENIOR ASSOCIATE

Laura Buchanan

SENIOR FAMILY LAWYER

Testimonials

What our clients say

Thank you so much for all your support! It was a challenging battle from the get go but I knew we could win!

Kirsty S

Thanks so much for everything. Everyone at SC family lawyers has been amazing and really happy with the end outcome. Will definitely come back if there’s any need in the future.

T Sullivan

A big thank you for your support and guidance. Plus a big thank you for putting up with me. It is such a hard journey and I would not have made it this far without you. I appreciate you both.

Jackie M

Once again, thank you very much for your time, attention and patience throughout this process. Your assistance, and that of everyone involved at your office, is greatly appreciated.

Glenn H

I would like to take this opportunity to again thank you for all of your advice, support, guidance & knowledge in gaining such a favourable outcome for my kiddies future. Your patience in dealing with multiple backflips & 720 degree turns along the way this past year has been truly amazing & I’m in awe!

Nicole H