Michael C. McDonald

Partner

Michael started his legal career in criminal defense, then went on to gain valuable experience in estate planning and trust administration and civil litigation. He currently practices in probate and trust litigation.

Licenses

  • State Bar of California 2015

Education

  • Juris Doctorate in 2013 from University of San Diego School of Law

    • Vice President of Vis International Commercial Arbitration Team

    • Moot Court and Mock Trials tournaments competitor

  • Bachelor of Sciences Degree in Finance, Barrett Honors College, W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, cum laude (2009)

Professional Memberships and Affiliations

  • California Lawyers Association, Trusts and Estates Section; Member

  • State Bar of California

  • San Diego County Bar Association

    • Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Section; Member

    • Section Leadership Committee Member

    • Committee Member for online publication “For the Record”

  • Probate Attorneys of San Diego, Board Member

  • Super Lawyers - Rising Star 2024

Awards and Honors

  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in America “Ones to Watch” (2023)

Professional Presentations

  • Speaker, “Estate and Gift Tax & Fiduciary Income Tax: Probate in California,” American Bar Association Tax Section 2023 Midyear Tax Meeting, February 10, 2023

  • Speaker, “Providing Notice: A trustee’s duty that is sometimes less than clear,” Probate Attorneys of San Diego, July 19, 2023

Community

  • American Inns of Court, Louis M. Welsh Chapter, former member

  • American Inns of Court, William B. Enright Chapter, member

  • Crawford High School’s Academy of Law, Mentor

Contact

P   (858) 750-3580

F   (858) 750-3581

mcdonald@goodwinbrownlaw.com