My brother, Michael McDonough, who has died aged 67 after suffering from lung cancer, was a legal consultant who dedicated most of his working life to employment law.
He won numerous cases of unfair dismissal and gained significant sums in compensation for his clients, many of whom had been subjected to bullying, harassment and other forms of discrimination at work.
Born in Liverpool to Francis, a hospital porter, and Alice (nee Campbell), Michael attended Liverpool Collegiate grammar school before working in a variety of jobs, including as an electrician, a hospital porter, and on the production lines of car and crisp factories.
Not wishing to be a burden to his family, he left school without taking any O-levels, but he always felt he should return to education. In the late 1970s he completed two Open University courses and went on to gain a degree in social administration from Lancaster University and an MSc in health administration from Hull.
After moving to London in 1984 he passed his legal exams and established his own specialised employment law company, McDonough & Associates, representing clients at industrial tribunals. A tenacious advocate, he was always thorough in his preparation of cases, which helped to explain his high success rate.
Michael was a committed socialist and an active member of the Labour party. He enjoyed reading about politics and history, and his wit would soon have you laughing uproariously. His decision to return to education encouraged me to do the same as a mature student, and none of what I have done since would have happened without his inspiration.
He had two children, Cathy and Michael, from his marriage to Christine Wright, which ended in divorce in 1979; Michael died in 1994. He also had a son, Beninio, with Efisia Tranza.
He is survived by Cathy, Beninio, two grandchildren and me.
