McDonald's hire kicks off legal expansion plan

McDonald's head of legal Della Burnside has made her first move to develop the fast food operator's legal function since taking control of the department in June.

Burnside has doubled the size of the legal team at McDonald's through the hire of CMS Cameron McKenna associate Mandy Miller, who has been brought in to work on a full spectrum of legal work for the company.

"The new appointment forms part of my strategic approach to develop the provision of legal services within the UK," said Burnside, who added that this first appointment is merely the start of the expansion plans.

"I'm planning on bringing in another lawyer within the next six months," she added. "And I anticipate further growth in the department in due course."

Burnside had joined the fast food chain after a six-month stint as head of legal at GSM Association with a view to growing the legal function.

Burnside intends to lessen the reliance on the company's established panel. Most property and franchise work goes to favourite firm Forsters, which has been working with McDonald's since it first came to the UK. Other firms used include Eversheds, McGrigors, Reed Smith Richards Butler, Shoosmiths and Wragge & Co.

Miller, who has just completed her week's stint on the McDonald's restaurant floor (a compulsory practice for all employees) was previously in the environment, health and safety and product liability practice group at Camerons.