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 mjm@mmmmlaw.com or 570-209-7062.
Areas of Practice
Motor Vehicle Accidents - Plaintiff
Personal Injury - Plaintiff
Premises Liability - Plaintiff
Workers' Compensation Law
Certified Legal Specialties
Civil Trial Advocate, National Board of Legal Specialty Certification, 1992
Pre Trial Civil Advocate, National Board of Legal Specialty Certification, 2012
Bar Admissions
Pennsylvania, 1979
U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit, 1981
U.S. District Court Middle District of Pennsylvania, 1979
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
Classes/Seminars
Auto Injuries, Advanced Plaintiff Strategies, National Business Institute, 2014 - Present
Litigating the Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claim, National Business Institute, 2013 - Present
Collecting on Motor Vehicle and Personal Injury Claims, Northeast Chapter, American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM), 2013 - Present
Civil Litigation Update, Tort Talk Expo, 2013 - Present
Litigating Law - Import Collision Cases, National Business Institute, 2013 - Present
Trial of the Plaintiff's Personal Injury Case, National Business Institute, 2012 - Present
Preparing Clients for Depositions, Lackawanna Bar Association, 2012 - Present
How to Litigate Your First Civil Trial in Pennsylvania, National Business Institute, 2004 - Present
How to Litigate Your First Civil Trial in Pennsylvania, National Business Institute, 2003 - Present
Complete Trial - Techniques for Beginners to Veterans, Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, 1993 - Present
Honors and Awards
President of statewide Pennsylvania Bar Association (2023-2024)
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
Professional Associations and Memberships
Currently President-Elect of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and will be President beginning May 2023
Pennsylvania Bar Foundation, Vice President, 2014 - 2015
Pennsylvania Bar Foundation, Board of Governors, 2011 - 2015
Pennsylvania Bar Association, Co-Chair/Membership Development Committee, 2014 - 2015
Pennsylvania Bar Association, Board of Governors, 2007 - 2010
Lackawanna Bar Association, President, 2003 - Present
Federal Bar Association, Middle District of Pennsylvania Chapter, President, 2001 - 2002
Northeastern Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers' Association, President, 1994 - Present
Lackawanna Bar Association, Board of Directors, 2001 - 2006
Northeastern Pennsylvania Trial Lawyer's Association, Board of Directors, 1990 - 1995
Pennsylvania Association for Justice, Board of Governors, 1981 - 1986
Past Employment Positions
Foley, McLane, Foley, McDonald & MacGregor, P.C., Vice President, 1998 - 2001
Foley, Neslon, McLane, Foley & MacDonald, P.C., Vice President, 1985 - 1998
Thomas J. Foley & Associates, P.C., Vice President, 1979 - 1985
Pro Bono Activities
Lackawanna Pro Bono Volunteers, 1997 - 2015
