💫 About Donna McGrath

Hi, I’m Donna McGrath — a former solicitor of 16 years and now the UK’s only accredited Leadership Coach & Mentor dedicated to In-House Lawyers.

I’m also an author and specialist in In-House Legal Psychology, helping Legal leaders balance regulatory obligations with commercial value. I teach In-House Lawyers how to sell objectivity, articulate impact, and position Legal as a strategic asset.

I’ve been there. I’ve faced the pressure, the overwhelm, the late nights, and the impossible balance between protecting the business and enabling it. I know what it’s like to feel exhausted, reactive, and out of control — while still being expected to deliver clarity and calm.

With over 20 years in the legal industry — spanning Private Practice, FTSE 100–250 In-House roles, and Head of Legal positions — I understand the challenges from the inside.

My turning point came when I invested in my own leadership, qualified as a Master Coach through the IAPC&M, and realised that the systems and structures I’d created to survive high-pressure roles were actually my strengths.

A later ADHD diagnosis helped me understand why — my neurodivergent way of thinking was what allowed me to design frameworks that bring clarity, focus, and resilience under pressure.

I’ve since combined my business acumen, LPC teaching experience, and coaching expertise to develop the In-House Lawyers Leadership Programme — the UK’s only accredited programme of its kind. It blends strategy, mindset, and structure to give lawyers the tools to lead with confidence, influence at executive level, and build teams that thrive.

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💫 My Mission & Vision

My mission is to remove unnecessary stress from the In-House role — giving lawyers the clarity, structure, and confidence to thrive.

I help Legal leaders build resilience through simple frameworks that are easy to adopt and practical to apply in fast-moving environments.

I’ve learnt — and now teach — how to speak up with impact, influence with authority, and lead with calm conviction under pressure.

My vision is a legal ecosystem where In-House teams are recognised as strategic enterprise leaders — empowered, commercially confident, and equipped with the mindset, systems, and identity to shape the business, not just serve it.

💼 Why Work With Me

I’m not just a coach — I’ve lived your world.
As a former FTSE 100 solicitor and Head of Legal, I understand the tension between being a business partner and a legal guardian — the very conflict that inspired my work today.

I bring a unique blend of practical experience, strategic intelligence, and contagious energy. I know what drives you, what drains you, and what it takes to turn Legal into a confident, high-performing business partner.

I work 1:1 with General Counsel and senior lawyers, and in group settings with In-House teams to build capability, connection, and momentum across the function.

You’ll work with someone who is:

• Results-focused and pragmatic — I build strategies that actually work in real business conditions.

• Vivacious, energetic, and fun — I bring energy, belief, and momentum back into your team.

• Strategic-minded with an ADHD edge — I see patterns, connections, and commercial opportunities others miss.

• Deeply networked across FTSE organisations — always abreast of current thinking and emerging challenges.

• A published, best-selling author and keynote specialist on In-House Legal Psychology and enterprise leadership.

I combine commercial acumen with compassion — helping lawyers perform at their best, rediscover their confidence, and lead with purpose and impact.