Karina McDougall
Senior Legal Consultant
Karina McDougall is a Senior Legal Consultant at OpenLegal. She completed a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Psychology, at the University of Sydney, followed by a Bachelor of Laws (Honours I) at the University of Technology Sydney. Admitted as a solicitor in 2004, Karina brings over two decades of legal experience to her role.
Karina’s approach to legal practice is preventative as much as it is solution-focused. She believes the best advice is to seek legal guidance early to avoid problems, making the process easier, more cost-effective, and far less stressful for clients.
As a solicitor, Karina has extensive experience advising on franchise law, including drafting and reviewing franchise agreements, ensuring compliance with the Franchising Code of Conduct, and supporting both franchisors and franchisees in navigating their rights and obligations. Beyond franchising, she is skilled in handling a wide range of commercial matters, drafting and negotiating agreements, and guiding clients through disputes with a practical, outcome-focused approach. Her background in psychology further enhances her ability to communicate effectively, understand client needs, and manage sensitive issues with care.
What Karina values most in her work is helping clients achieve the best possible outcome, whatever the issue may be. She takes into account not only the law, but also commercial considerations and personal circumstances, ensuring her advice is practical, balanced, and aligned with each client’s goals.