Michael J. McDonald, Esq.
Founding Partner
Phone
Email Me
Practice Areas
- Motor Vehicle Accidents – Plaintiff
- Personal Injury – Plaintiff
- Premises Liability – Plaintiff
- Workers’ Compensation Law
Bar Admissions
- Pennsylvania, 1979
- U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit, 1981
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Pennsylvania, 1979
Professional Associations
- Pennsylvania Bar Foundation, Vice President, 2014 to 2015
- Pennsylvania Bar Foundation, Board of Governors, 2011 to 2015
- Pennsylvania Bar Association, Co-Chair/Membership Development Committee, 2014 to 2015
- Pennsylvania Bar Association, Board of Governors, 2007 to 2010
- Lackawanna Bar Association, President, 2003
- Federal Bar Association, Middle District of Pennsylvania Chapter, President, 2001 to 2002
- Northeastern Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers’ Association, President, 1994
- Lackawanna Bar Association, Board of Directors, 2001 to 2006
- Northeastern Pennsylvania Trial Lawyer’s Association, Board of Directors, 1990 to 1995
- Pennsylvania Association for Justice, Board of Governors, 1981 to 1986
Biography
Michael J. McDonald has earned a reputation as one of the most active and esteemed personal injury lawyers in Northeastern Pennsylvania throughout his 30 years as a courtroom attorney. He has successfully tried many types of cases, ranging from motor vehicle accidents to medical malpractice, and has been trial counsel in some of the largest of verdicts and settlements in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
He has had the great honor and privilege of being chosen for certification and/or membership in several prestigious national organizations including the National Board of Trial Advocacy (certified in 1992, re-certified in 1997, 2002, 2012), the National Board of Civil Pretrial Practice Advocacy (certified in 2012), the American Board of Trial Advocates and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He has also been selected as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer for many years.
In 2011 and 2012, he was chosen by the National Trial Lawyers as a member of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers. Mr. McDonald has also been repeatedly chosen by fellow lawyers for leadership positions in various associations including as President of the Lackawanna Bar Association (2003), President of the Federal Bar Association of the Middle District of Pennsylvania Chapter (2000-2001) and President of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers’ Association (1994). He has also served on the Board of Governors of both the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation. He is a graduate of Villanova University, and the Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State University where he was awarded the International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award for distinguished achievement in trial advocacy.
He is a founding partner of McDonald & MacGregor, LLC, where he concentrates his practice on plaintiffs’ personal injury, and can be reached at [email protected] or 570-209-8893.
Education
- The Dickinson School of Law, Carlisle, Pennsylvania
- J.D. – 1979
- Honors: International Academy of Trial Lawyers’ Award for Trial Advocacy (1979)
- Honors: Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, Justice (1979)
- Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania
- B.A. – 1976
- Major: Political Science
Honors
- Special Achievement Award, Pennsylvania Bar Association, 2015
- National Association of Distinguished Counsel – Top 1 Percent, 2015
- Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, Philadelphia Magazine, 2004 – 2006
- Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, Philadelphia Magazine, 2008 – 2015
- President’s Award, Lackawanna County Bar Association, 2006
- Associate, American Bar of Trial Advocates, 2002 – 2015
- Loughney-Grady Award, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, 2012
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum, 2005 – 2015
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers, 2012 – 2015
- American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys, Client Satisfaction Award, 2015
- Global Directory of Who’s Who – Top Lawyer, 2015
Classes/Seminars
- Auto Injuries, Advanced Plaintiff Strategies, National Business Institute, 2014
- Litigating the Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claim, National Business Institute, 2013
- Collecting on Motor Vehicle and Personal Injury Claims, Northeast Chapter, American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM), 2013
- Civil Litigation Update, Tort Talk Expo, 2013
- Litigating Law – Import Collision Cases, National Business Institute, 2013
- Trial of the Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Case, National Business Institute, 2012
- Preparing Clients for Depositions, Lackawanna Bar Association, 2012
- How to Litigate Your First Civil Trial in Pennsylvania, National Business Institute, 2004
- How to Litigate Your First Civil Trial in Pennsylvania, National Business Institute, 2003
- Complete Trial – Techniques for Beginners to Veterans, Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, 1993
Specialties and Certifications
- Civil Trial Advocate, National Board of Legal Specialty Certification, 1992
- Pre Trial Civil Advocate, National Board of Legal Specialty Certification, 2012
Pro-Bono Activities
- Lackawanna Pro Bono Volunteers, 1997 to 2015
Current Employment
- Managing Partner
Past Employment
- Foley, McLane, Foley, McDonald & MacGregor, P.C., Vice President, 1998 to 2001
- Foley, Neslon, McLane, Foley & MacDonald, P.C., Vice President, 1985 to 1998
- Thomas J. Foley & Associates, P.C., Vice President, 1979 to 1985