Law Firm Overview

The principle in the firm of the Law Offices of Arthur Thomas Donato, Jr. in Media, Delaware County, Mr. Donato has concentrated his practice in the area of the defense of the accused in criminal cases since 1980.

Since 1980, Mr. Donato has represented individuals in complicated criminal cases in both State and Federal Court. He is a member of the American, Pennsylvania and Delaware County Bar Associations, is active in the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, and holds an A-V rating from Martindale-Hubbell. He was a founding member and past president of both the Delaware County and Pennsylvania Associations of Criminal Defense Lawyers. At present, Mr. Donato serves as Regional Legislative Coordinator for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and was privileged to serve on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Criminal Procedural Rules Committee from 1992 to 1998. He is a Fellow of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers.  He has been listed in the Best Lawyers in America since 1998.

Mr. Donato was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Villanova University in 1977, a Juris Doctor from the Delaware Law School of Widener University in 1980, and was awarded a Master of Arts in Philosophy from Villanova University in May of 1990, during which time he concentrated his writing in the field of Ethics and Personal Responsibility.

Since 1981, Mr. Donato has been a visiting lecturer at Villanova University speaking on "Use of the Insanity Defense in Criminal Prosecutions" and currently is a professor in the Sociology Department teaching "Sociolegal Aspects of Criminal Procedure" and "The Supreme Court and its Influence on American Society". Mr. Donato frequently lectures to other lawyers, speaks to community organizations, and testifies before legislative bodies on a variety of criminal justice issues.

We are proud of the way we treat our clients and are sensitive to their concerns. We endeavor to return every phone call within 24 hours of receiving that call. The office is open daily between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The best times to call the office with questions or concerns are between the hours of 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Our law firm does not advertise and most clients we represent are referred by other attorneys who are immediately referred the client back at the end of the criminal case. We keep in touch with the referring attorney and provide a status report at the end of the case so that he or she may be fully apprised of the client's legal situation.

The firm is familiar with and often works with investigators and various other forensic professionals such as accountants, psychologists, pathologists and accident reconstruction specialists.

Perhaps the most apt quote that summarizes his feelings about representing the accused in court was when he was quoted by The Champion, the Journal of the national Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in their profile in December of 1992.

". . . I feel fortunate to be able to practice in law and have a feeling of being complimented when someone hires me to represent them. I enjoy working in court because that provides the most challenge and gratification. Sometimes I think lawyers can get caught up on taking themselves too seriously, and, as a result, are unable to enjoy the benefits of the profession. Although it is important to be professional and objective, I also strive not to be personally detached from my clients."

Areas of Practice

• Federal and State Criminal Cases
• Grand Jury Proceedings
• Fraud Defense
• Public Corruption Defense
• White Collar Crime Defense
• Environmental Crime Defense
• State Crimes Defense
• Homicide and Violent Crime Defense
• Vehicular Homicide and Assault Defense
• Sex Crimes/Rape
• Child Abuse

Honors and Awards

• Outstanding Service Award, President of Student Body, Villanova University, 1977
• Two Years of Service Award, Radnor Fire Co., 1976
• Elected to Outstanding Young Men in America, 1976 - 1977
• Nominated to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, 1977
• Outstanding Service Award, Delaware County Bar Association, 1987
• Outstanding Service Award, Delaware County Bar Association, 1988
• Nicholas D. Vadino, Jr. Memorial Award, Significant Contributions by a Young Lawyer to the Organized Bar, 1989
• Award of Appreciation, Delaware County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 1989
• Liberty Award Presented by the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 1990
• Man of the Year, Lawyers Club, Delaware County Bar Association, 1993
• Award of the Officers and Directors, Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 1995
• President's Award - Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 1998
• Listed in "The Best Lawyers in America"
• A-V Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
• Fellow, American Board of Criminal Lawyers

Classes and Seminars

• Professor, "Sociolegal Aspects of Criminal Procedure", Villanova University, Sociology Department, 1990 - Present
• Professor, "The Supreme Court and Its Influence on American Society", Villanova University, Sociology Department, 1990 - Present
• Visiting Lecturer, "Use of the Insanity Defense in Criminal Prosecutions", Villanova University, 1981 - Present
• Visiting Lecturer, "Preparation of Psychiatric/Psychological Reprts in Criminal Cases", Norristown State Hospital, Forensic Psychiatry/Psychology
• Recent Trends in Criminal Law
• Should Defendant Testify; Preparation
• Use of Psychiatric and Psychological Experts
• Insanity as a Defense to Criminal Prosecutions
• This Was Justice for All?
• Cross-Examination of a Snitch
• Cross-Examiniation Techniques Emphasizing Preliminary Hearing Strategy
• Criminal Law Update
• Five County Seminar - Procedures
• Criminal Justice System in Delaware County
• Criminal and Juvenile Law
• Ethical Issues in the Practice of Criminal Law
• Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure
• Civil Rights
• Techniques and Strategies in Criminal Trial Advocacy
• Career Awareness
• Role of Supreme Court and Judicial Review
• Evidentiary Issues Panel
• Testimony delivered on a variety of criminal justice issues to the Pennsylvania House and Senate Judiciary Committees
• Basics of Federal Criminal Practice
• The Key to Professional Felicity

West Practice Categories

Criminal Law, Criminal Fraud, DUI/DWI, Traffic Violations, White Collar Crimes, Environmental Law, Domestic Violence & Neglect, Health & Health Care Law, Federal Appellate Practice, State Appellate Practice, Personal Injury -- Defense, Personal Injury -- Plaintiff, Taxation Law