Dugald Hamilton

Founder and Principal

I love the law and helping people but after spending nearly a decade in high-end boutique law firms across Brisbane, I realised that the law was not really helping people, nor was it designed to help you.

I founded 23LEGAL to help my clients navigate the complex, frustrating and confusing legal world in a court system decades behind the commercial world, which considers “drop-box” to be a physical box in front of the building and not a cloud server (I wish I was joking here) and a profession that is largely allowing this to continue.

The world needs lawyers that challenge the status quo, are flexible, responsive, forward-thinking and people-friendly, whilst still delivering exceptional service. I am proud and excited to be at the forefront of change and you are a large part of the solution.

By reshaping the delivery of traditional dispute resolution, restructuring and insolvency legal services I aim to take a modern-world commercial approach to helping you manage all stages of your dispute, your solvency issue or your risk generally whilst allowing you to take back control of the situation.

I act for amazing humans exclusively. I have some amazing clients who are thriving but am always looking for awesome people to add me and our firm to their team.

Whether you’re an individual, small business, or a large company in Australia or internationally I am ready and raring to go. Having worked on some of the largest and most complex litigation matters in Australian history I have the essential skills and expertise to help you solve your complex problems and get back to doing what you love, whatever that may be.

As a self-professed tech geek, I love technology, particularly emerging technologies, and the ways that technology can provide new and novel solutions to age-old complex problems.

I have jumped headfirst into the artificial intelligence, machine learning and automation world and the cyber security risks that come along with using technology today and look to leverage this technology to streamline the delivery of our services, make things easier and clearer for you and to reduce the costs.

I also love the beauty of technology, that the entirety of the world’s knowledge is now at our finger tips, yet we mostly use it to watch cat reels on Instagram or TikTok and that I can control my home from my phone.

Technology is a game changer, an equaliser and just down right magic!

Outside the disputes world I consult to a range of super exciting and innovative start-ups across many different sectors and technologies, including artificial intelligence, machine learning and space technologies.

I am at the forefront the emerging legal technology industry, having hosted the Sydney leg of the inaugural Global Legal Hackathon in 2018 in conjunction with the Legal Forecast and being a part of the winning team of the 2019 Global Legal Hackathon in Chicago!

When not living in law world (unfortunately not a super fun happy legal land theme park…yet), I love to get out and see my family and friends, spend time in my workshop, or stand chest deep in a lake or river chasing that elusive fish.

I am a tragic Chicago sports fan, following the Bulls, Bears, Blackhawks and Cubs. I love to cook, experience great food and delicious cocktails and gins. I’m addicted to tea (my tea of choice is a nice loose-leaf English Breakfast) and find it very hard to go past some American BBQ.

I am committed to helping you achieve your goals, solve your disputes and succeed doing what you do best. I would love to work with you, so reach out when you’re ready and we can take the world by storm together.

  • Conveyancing Connection (QLD) Pty Ltd
    As a trusted advisor, it is important for us to know that, when we need to refer a client to another practitioner, they will be treated with respect and their matter will be handled to the same standards we employ and won’t fall through the cracks. Dugald Hamilton and the team at 23LEGAL always look after our clients to a standard that is above and beyond what is required and we have no hesitation in recommending their services.
    Conveyancing Connection (QLD) Pty Ltd
  • Jamie Brauer
    I have used the services of Dugald Hamilton and 23LEGAL several times now. Dugald has always delivered result that exceed my expectations in a timely fashion and at a competitive price. I feel safe and secure knowing I have him in my corner if needed.
    Jamie Brauer
  • Melissa Scott
    Dugald and the team at 23LEGAL have provided consistently high levels of legal advice and assistance on a range of matters for Megaport Ltd, an ASX-200 listed company in the technology sector. I appreciate the commercial aspects of Dugald's advice and the practical nature of his recommendations. As an example, he will often give insights on the chances of success and weighed up against the likely costs, may advise on the real costs vs benefits of pursuing certain options. This in invaluable for my internal decision making and justifying certain spends. 23LEGAL is certainly doing law differently.
    Melissa Scott
    Senior Legal Counsel, Megaport Ltd.

Disputes come in all shapes and forms.

Some are simple (think fighting with your siblings as to what to watch on Netflix). Others not so much, and there’s generally not a parent around to settle the dispute or make a decision.

When real world disputes occur, not everyone plays nice and most play to win. It can be an isolating, lonely experience with high stress levels and little light at the end of the tunnel.

Before you can make that decision, it is important to understand the three main stages of a dispute. This enables you to establish where in the dispute timeline you are and what decisions need to be made.

How you deal with the dispute is a choice, and it is generally the most important decision you will make for the entirety of the dispute.

Grab your free copy of The 3 Stages Of A Dispute You Must Know Before You Start.