Remembering Sarah Donaldson — 'Wider legal community diminished without her presence'

On 9 February 2026, Sarah Donaldson, aged 38, a highly respected Senior Associate with Clyde & Co, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly.

Working across the firm’s Edinburgh and Glasgow offices, Sarah was a valued member of Clyde & Co’s catastrophic injury and large loss team, where she was known for her exceptional expertise, professionalism and kindness.

Born in Glasgow, Sarah was educated at Hamilton College before studying law at the University of Glasgow, graduating with a first-class LLB (Honours) in Law with French. She later completed her Diploma in Professional Legal Practice at the same institution. Her studies  also included an Erasmus year at Aix‑Marseille University.

Sarah began her career as a trainee at Brodies in Glasgow. After qualifying, she went on to gain significant experience pursuing and defending complex personal injury claims in roles with Lindsays and the Medical Protection Society.

In 2022, Sarah joined Clyde & Co as a Senior Associate, where her practice involved handling a broad range of high-value litigation matters, including motor, employer’s liability and public liability claims, on behalf of leading insurers and self-insured clients. Her colleagues, clients, members of Faculty and many solicitors across the wider legal community, consistently described her as talented, dedicated and she was deeply admired by everyone she dealt with.

Vikki Melville, Managing Partner of Clyde & Co, Scotland said “Sarah was one of our brightest talents in the Scottish firm. She worked in my team, since joining the firm, and will be impossible to replace. She was an extremely skilled lawyer, and excelled looking after our clients’ most complex cases. I had no hesitation in supporting her ambition for promotion – she had her interview for Legal Director lined up this month – and I have no doubt whatsoever that she would have succeeded.

“The team, our offices, and the wider legal community are diminished without her presence. Working with Sarah made us all much better lawyers and I hope her legacy lives on, to inspire and guide the next generation of practitioners coming through. She will be greatly missed, both as a trusted colleague but also as a friend to so many of us.”

Beyond her technical skill, Sarah was known for her warmth, generosity and unwavering support for colleagues and clients. She was dedicated to guiding and mentoring many junior fee earners who she supported on a daily basis, during the early stages of their careers.

Sarah also actively engaged in a number of pro bono causes. She worked with one of Clyde & Co’s immigration charity partners to help unaccompanied young people submit applications for citizenship in the UK. She was also involved in an online literacy programme, assisting struggling young readers, helping to build their confidence and enjoyment of reading.

Her family, friends, clients and colleagues remain very much in our thoughts at this profoundly difficult time. Sarah is survived by her parents, Anne and Drew Donaldson, and her sister Susan.