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 in Philadelphia Magazine in "Pennsylvania Super Lawyers" 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.