Sandy leads our Corporate & Commercial and Intellectual Property (IP) practices. With over 50 years of experience and a particular interest in wine, agribusiness, ICT and private health insurance, he is able to advise on commercial and IP issues of all kinds.

These range from corporate fundraisings and due diligence for asset acquisitions to competition and consumer law, privacy issues and advising technology companies and research centres on the commercialisation of new technologies. Sandy’s vast expertise and experience also includes advising clients on a range of taxation issues, including the tax implications of transactions, structuring options and estate and succession planning.

Sandy has accumulated numerous individual accolades, including recognition in Best Lawyers Australia in the areas of Intellectual Property, Corporate Law and Agriculture & Rural Affairs, and acknowledgement as the “patriarch” of SA’s IP market in Doyle’s Guide to the Australian Legal Profession.

Sandy's Featured Articles

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April 18, 2024 2025 Edition of Best Lawyers: Celebrating Our Leaders and a Rising Star
Firm News Corporate & Commercial Employment, Workplace Relations & Safety + 6
December 20, 2023 Is a Trade Mark License a Franchise?
Intellectual Property (IP)
December 20, 2023 Deeds vs Agreements
Corporate & Commercial
December 20, 2023 Trade Mark Use/Copyright and Fair Dealing – AGL v Greenpeace
Intellectual Property (IP)
December 20, 2023 When Can You Send Unsolicited Electronic Messages?
Corporate & Commercial
September 11, 2023 Advertising Health Services
Corporate & Commercial Health & Aged Care
October 14, 2022 Lessons From Theranos
Corporate & Commercial
October 12, 2022 Vendor Safety Nets
Corporate & Commercial
October 06, 2022 Bind Games
Corporate & Commercial
July 12, 2022 Personal and Confidential Information: Employer Obligations to Employees
Employment, Workplace Relations & Safety Intellectual Property (IP)
May 02, 2022 Privacy Week - Top Tips
Corporate & Commercial Intellectual Property (IP)
April 27, 2022 Another DW Fox Tucker “Best Lawyer” Joins the List & Two More Are “Ones to Watch”
Firm News
March 30, 2022 Domain Names and Cyber Security
Corporate & Commercial Intellectual Property (IP)
September 20, 2021 Termination of the Naval Group’s Australian Contract: What It Means for Local Subcontractors
Corporate & Commercial Defence
August 17, 2021 Music to Artists' Ears: Palmer to Pay Up Big for "Flagrant" Copyright Infringement
Intellectual Property (IP)
June 30, 2021 When are Directors Liable for Misleading or Deceptive Conduct, Passing off, Trade Mark Infringement or Unconscionable Conduct?
Corporate & Commercial Dispute Resolution & Insolvency Intellectual Property (IP)
June 30, 2021 NFT’s Explained: The Intellectual Property Implications of Licencing Digital Assets Through Blockchain
Intellectual Property (IP)
April 19, 2021 Best Lawyers Australia: Celebrating Excellence
Firm News
January 20, 2021 Terms and Conditions for Sale of Goods/Incoterms® 2020 and Vienna Convention
Corporate & Commercial
December 16, 2020 King Reigns All: High Court Decides Holding Companies May Be Held Accountable for Subsidiary Company Actions
Corporate & Commercial Dispute Resolution & Insolvency

Memberships

International Bar Association

 – Committee Member

International Wine Law Association

 – Committee Member (former Vice President of Australian Chapter)

Law Council of Australia (Business Law)

 – Intellectual Property Committee Member

Law Society of South Australia

 – Commercial Law Committee and representative for the State Taxation Consulting Group

Wine Industry Suppliers Australia 

– Wine Industry Impact Awards Judging Panel

Awards

Doyle’s Guide to the Australian Legal Profession Listings:

  • Preeminent Intellectual Property Lawyer – South Australia, Since 2017
  • Leading Technology, Media & Telecommunications Lawyer – South Australia, Since 2015
  • Leading Agribusiness Lawyer – South Australia, 2016 , 2017, 2019 & 2020

Best Lawyers in Australia Listings:

  • Adelaide Intellectual Property Law Lawyer of the Year, 2016 & 2019
  • Adelaide Agriculture & Rural Affairs Lawyer of the Year, 2018
  • Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Since 2011
  • Commercial Law, Since 2018
  • Corporate Law, Since 2011
  • Intellectual Property Law, Since 2011
  • Information Technology Law, Since 2018

What Client's Say

It is my pleasure to provide this testimonial for Sandy Donaldson. My company, Police Health has engaged with Sandy and his team for the last 20 years and the length of that relationship speaks volumes for its value to the company and the individuals who have had the pleasure of working with him. Sandy really believes in ensuring the best outcome for his clients and the energy and expertise that he applies to his work is second to none. Sandy (and I ) clearly enjoy building relationships that are based on trust and respect, this relationship allows for frank and open dialogue, teamwork and high level engagement. All of these qualities are essential to an optimal outcome.

Peter Shanahan

Police Health

Our family decided to engage Sandy Donaldson at DW Fox Tucker Lawyers to assist us with navigating a very complex estate and succession planning process involving multiple businesses, land holdings and other interests that required the creation of numerous legal documents relating to business structuring, trusts, shareholdings, control of assets, taxation of assets, future family care needs and other family arrangements. 

Having relied on DW Fox Tucker to help grow and protect our family’s business interests for many years now, it was a logical step to engage their specialist expertise for personal matters, and we’re so glad we did. Sandy’s ability to interpret complex issues and, in collaboration with us, come up with legal solutions that we had never considered possible was incredibly impressive. We also really appreciated the respectful way he handled such a sensitive matter for our family. 

Whilst it was a difficult process to undertake, it is reassuring to know the appropriate measures are now in place to ensure that when the time comes, there is a smooth transition that respects our wishes to the next generation of our family.

Sandy is clearly a brilliant lawyer, and we have no hesitation in recommending his and DW Fox Tucker’s services to others who need assistance with complex estate and succession planning matters.

Andrew and Julie Koch

DW Fox Tucker Lawyers has provided tremendous legal support to our company for many years, so it was without hesitation that we decided to seek their help to manage our personal affairs as well. Our key contact, Amy Bishop, put us in touch with Sandy Donaldson to discuss estate planning matters that would ensure the future needs of our family were met. From the first meeting, we felt at ease with Sandy, who was always very professional and respectful. He diligently worked through our family's requirements and the various legal options that would protect our interests and ensure our children's future needs were well cared for.

It is no surprise that Sandy is widely regarded as one of the best lawyers in South Australia for his fields of law. We highly recommend him and DW Fox Tucker Lawyers to anyone seeking advice for complex estate planning matters.

James and Natalie Devenport