ABOUT ME

Hi, I’m Donna.

With nearly 20 years in the legal sector—including 14 years as a solicitor in top firms and FTSE 100-250 legal teams—I now coach and mentor lawyers navigating the real, human pressures of our profession.

I work with legal leaders, aspiring leaders, and those at a crossroads—primarily in-house, but increasingly with private practice lawyers too. And no matter where they are, the struggles are deeply familiar.

Lawyers are expected to deliver technical brilliance, influence with confidence, and lead through complexity. But far too many are doing so without the skills they truly need—not just to succeed, but to stay well.

Because the most critical skills—the human, leadership, and business skills—are the ones we’re never taught.

They’re missing from legal training. And our regulator still hesitates to name them as essential, leaving lawyers without the clarity or authority to seek the support they deserve.

So, we push through. We "cope."

But too often, the cost is hidden—and heartbreaking:

💥 Chronic stress
💥 Burnout and disconnection
💥 Erosion of confidence
💥 Stalled careers
💥 And in the most devastating cases, lives lost

That’s why I founded The In-House Lawyers’ Coach in 2019.

Through leadership coaching and mentoring,

I help lawyers build the skills no one prepared them for—but everyone now demands:

✅ Inner resilience to navigate pressure
✅ Strategic thinking to shift from reactive to proactive
✅ Leadership presence and influence
✅ Clear, impactful communication
✅ And crucially—business skills that connect legal work to commercial value, stakeholder trust, and strategic impact

These aren't “nice-to-haves.”

They’re the foundation. The difference between surviving and rising.

Because there has to be a better standard.

A new norm for how lawyers rise to pressure—not by breaking, but by becoming stronger, more focused, more empowered.

My mission is to create that standard.

To build a generation of legal leaders who lead with clarity, confidence, and courage.

Who can show up fully—for their teams, their businesses, and themselves.

This isn’t just about performance.
It’s about people.

It’s about protecting careers—and yes, in some cases, saving lives.

Because when lawyers are given the right tools—including the leadership and business skills they were never taught—they don’t just survive.

They thrive. And they lead.

Your Coach

Donna.

BOOK A CONSULTATION

Transforming the Legal Sector one In-House Legal Team at a Time.

Greater purpose, inspiration & impact into Legal Leadership

Injecting freedom, purpose and joy.

WHAT MAKES ME DIFFERENT

Here’s why I’m uniquely qualified to help in-house lawyers and legal teams thrive: with a proven track record in leadership, coaching, and legal expertise, I bring a systematic approach to enhancing impact, building relationships, and driving measurable results.

Industry Specialist

16 years in legal practice, building high-performing teams and frameworks that highlight the true value and impact of legal functions. Extensive experience driving strategy and excellence in top FTSE companies and in-house legal teams, combined with 9 years as a specialist leadership and transformational coach. I transform in-house legal careers and help teams thrive, developing leaders who deliver real impact. Also the UK’s dedicated Coach for the Association of Corporate Counsel.

Results Focused & Proven Track Record

Track record for identifying opportunities to enhance Legal Service & successfully delivering improvement projects & demonstrating added value in FTSE 100. Delivering strategic improvement projects across FTSE 250 companies process & relationship improvement. We have a results focused Programme with Peter Ho gaining GC of the Year, the Lawyer, Kate, Miia, Patrice getting to GC and Assistant GC and more.

Commitment to Excellence

A Certified Transformational / Leadership Coach & Mentor IAPC&M. A systematic approach to make In-House Lawyers & In-House Legal Teams more impactful via the our Accredited Signature In-House Lawyers Leadership Programme (the ILLP) with proven results, ensuring you have the highest standards of excellence and strategies to help you make deeper transformation.

Best Selling Author & Columnist

Best Seller: Breakthrough Leadership Stories
Specialist Chapter on the Essential Leadership Skills Missing from Legal Training and Their Impact on In-House Lawyers. See below to get your copy.

Columnist for Globe Law and Business
Writing Series on Understanding, Managing, and Maximising Different Personality Styles.s

I Have Been Where You are

With nearly 20 years in the legal sector, including 16 years in practice (now former), I’ve experienced stress, overwhelmed, feeling exhausted and having no time. I learned how to turn this around and excel in leadership and managing a high-performing team. So I know the struggles, the worry. This helps me understand you better and be able to go into your world and help you make quicker transformation.

Speaker & Trainer

Delivering workshops and talks on leadership, influencing, wellbeing, an more Women in Law, CLL, Birmingham Law Society In-House Division, and the Association of Corporate Counsel across Europe and US. Hosting workshops for in-house lawyers on leadership, strategy, influence, and essential skills for today’s legal landscape. Leading discussions on the evolving role of in-house lawyers, particularly post-Post Office scandal. Host of Legal Leadership: The Untold Truth podcast, uncovering the truth behind legal leadership.

TESTIMONIALS

Don't just take my word for it. See what my clients have to say...

Peter Ho

Tyman Plc.- General Counsel October 2023

"Donna's experience of working In-House, her strategic thinking and structured programme the ILLP have been key to my success. Also, her experience as a coach and personality helped me address my challenges directly and to take 100% responsibility for where I am.
Donna's insight into what makes me tick and her understanding of my faith has helped me feel understood and grow into an impactful leader."

James Green

Innova Ltd - Head of Property Legal Jan 2024

"Donna's ability to challenge assumptions and reframe beliefs is a standout feature of the programme. This approach, coupled with her wealth of experience and perceptive insights, has been instrumental in breaking through barriers and unlocking new levels of strategic thinking. The balance between support and firm guidance has been a key factor in my personal breakthroughs.

If you are an in-house lawyer seeking a transformative leadership programme, I cannot recommend Donna’s programme enough. The programme has exceeded my expectations and has been a tremendously valuable investment in personal and professional growth."

Vicki Shaw

Wirral Council - Head of Legal Services Jan 2024

"Donna's approach went beyond conventional coaching methods. She equipped me with invaluable skills to navigate challenges with grace and assertiveness. Through her adept use of active listening, insightful questioning, and targeted feedback, Donna helped me enhance my communication effectiveness and emotional resilience. I wholeheartedly endorse Donna's coaching services to fellow legal professionals and organisational leaders seeking transformative growth and development."