Lawyer Overview

Over the course of more than 25 years as a courtroom attorney, Michael J. McDonald has earned a reputation as one of the most active and esteemed personal injury lawyers in Northeast Pennsylvania. 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 verdicts and settlements in this area of Pennsylvania.

He has had the great honor of being chosen for certification and/or membership in several prestigious national organizations, including the National Board of Trial Advocacy (certified in 1992, recertified in 1997 and 2002), the American Board of Trial Advocates and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He has also recently been selected by the Philadelphia Magazine as a "Pennsylvania Super Lawyer" for 2004 and 2005.

Mr. McDonald has also been repeatedly chosen by fellow lawyers for leadership positions in various associations, including President of the Lackawanna Bar Association (2003), President of the Federal Bar Association Middle District of Pennsylvania Chapter (2000 - 2001) and President of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association (1994). An accomplished speaker, Mr. McDonald was the Lackawanna Bar Association's selection to introduce Dr. Hans Blix, Chief UN Iraqi Weapons Inspector, at his 2004 televised appearance, at the Hoban Lecture at the University of Scranton.

A graduate of Villanova University (B.A., 1976) and the Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State University (J.D.,1979), he was upon graduation awarded the International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award for distinguished achievement in Trial Advocacy. Following graduation he returned to Scranton to concentrate his legal career on trying civil cases in court. In 1979 he was admitted to practice before all courts in Pennsylvania as well as the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania. In 1985, he was admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit.

In the years since completing law school, Mr. McDonald has been repeatedly selected to lecture fellow lawyers in both the civil litigation and courtroom advocacy by various organizations. The Lectures have included, "My First Trial" (Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, 1992); "The Complete Trial: Techniques for Beginners to Veterans" (Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, 1993); "Ethical Considerations and Problems Prior to Trial" (Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, 1993); "Examining the Expert Witness" (Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 1994); "Trial Evidence in the Civil Case" (Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 1996); "How to Litigate Your First Civil Trial in Pennsylvania" (National Business Institute, 2003 and 2004). Mr. McDonald has also served as Solicitor for the First National Bank of Avoca (1985 -1987) and the Lackawanna County Treasurer's Office (1988 - present).

In addition to his leadership roles, Mr. McDonald has been a member of many professional legal organizations, including the Lackawanna County (President, Young Lawyers Section, 1986; Member, Board of Directors, 1988, 2001 - present; Senior Director, 1992-1997; Vice President, 2001; President Elect, 2002; Executive Committee, 2002-2003), Pennsylvania (County Delegate, Young Lawyers Section, 1987; Member, Civil Litigation Section, 1987-present; Zone Delegate, young Lawyers Section, 1988; Chairman, 1996-1997 and Member, 2000-present, Zone 5 Delegate, House of Delegates, 2003, 2005 Civil Rules Committee) and American Bar Associations; the Federal Bar Association (President-Elect, 1999-2000; National Delegate, 2001-2002); the Middle District of Pennsylvania Lawyers Advisory Committee, 2001; the Northeastern Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association (Vice President, 1990-1991; Member, Board of Directors, 1992- 1996); the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association (Member, Board of Governors, 1983-1989); The Association of Trial Lawyers of America (Member, Workplace Injury Litigation Group, 1999-present); and Lackawanna Pro Bono, Inc. (Board of Directors, 2002).

Mr. McDonald still exudes a youthful passion for his work and his clients. He currently handles civil litigation and serious personal injury cases at the Foley Law Firm.

Areas of Practice

• Civil Litigation
• Personal Injury

West Practice Categories

Litigation & Appeals, Personal Injury -- Defense, Personal Injury -- Plaintiff

Bar Admissions

• Pennsylvania, 1979
• U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit, 1985
• U.S. District Court Middle District of Pennsylvania, 1979

Education

• The Dickinson School of Law, Carlisle, Pennsylvania

Address

Linden Plaza
600 Linden Street
P.O. Box 1108
Scranton, PA 18501

Phones

(570) 342-8194

Faxes

(570) 342-4658

Emails

Contact Us

Websites

http://www.foleylawfirm.com